Notes and News. 119 



but we don't care to remind her that we overheard these classic 

 lines. 



The daily paper recently noted a remarkable curiosity found in 

 the vicinity of San Diego, which, it was announced, was to 

 enrich the U. S. National Museum. It was nothing- less interest- 

 ing than a ted bat, whose bite is reputed to be invariably fatal. 

 A friend of the editor carefully examined this specimen, and gave 

 us an accurate description, which we are pleased to furnish our 

 readers in advance of any of our scientific contemporaries. 

 (Diagnosis: a brick-bat. ) 



' ' Ere this reaches our readers we expect we shall have wel- 

 comed many prominent eastern scientists who have notified us 

 of their intending visits to our coast. Dr. George Vasey, botan- 

 ist of the Department of Agriculture, Major J. W. Powell, and 

 others connected with the scientific work at Washington are 

 among the number. We feel greatly encouraged at the present 

 indications of an increase in interest and activity in scientific sub- 

 jects in the west. 



NOTES AND NEWS. 



, T. V. Munson of Denison, Texas, special agent of the U. S. 

 Department of Agriculture and C L. Hopkins assistant pomolog- 

 ist of the Department visited San Diego about August 1st, for the 

 purpose of investigating the wild grapes and other native fruits 

 and nuts of this section. The results will be published in a special 

 report for free distribution by the Department. 



Queen & Co., of Philadelphia have issued a new catalogue of 

 their clearance sale of microscopes, objectives, etc. — A chance to 

 obtain an outfit or accessories and. sundries at low cost. 



The cotton tree (Rhus cotinoides) is said to ''kill other trees 

 and to then commit suicide," — hence the planting of this tree 

 is not recommended. 



Dr. C. C. Parry has returned to his home in Davenport, Iowa, 

 much to the regret of his California friends. 



A genuine midsummer number is The Century for August, 

 with its opening article on ' 'The Stream of Pleasure — the River 

 Thames" by the Pennells, — husband and wife. Vacationists will 

 find matter of interest in Dr. Weir Mitchell's profusely illustrated 

 article on "The Poison of Serpents" — a line ol inquiry in which 

 he has made important discoveries. Remington, artist and writ- 

 er, describes with pen and pencil his outing with the Cheyennes; 

 and a group of well-known wood-engravers describe with draw- 

 ings and engravings by each, a wood-engraver's camp on the 

 Connecticut River, as well as the methods of the American 

 school of wood-engraving. 



Dr. Dight,who is Professor of Anatomy in the American Col- 

 lege of Beirut, Syria, has made a careful comparison of a collect- 



