1 8 8 2 .] Scientific News. 5 3 3 



tives of high power and short working distance, may become, 

 with low powers, large enough to destroy the usefulness of the 

 common methods of measurement of the lenses measured, a Sc- 

 inch varied from 36 to 38 telescopic aperture to 39^2° micro- 

 scopic, while a 3-inch ranged from 13^° to 19 . Change of 

 draw-tube caused a variation of several degrees. 



A New Journal. — The (English) Postal Microscopical Society 

 has undertaken the publication of a quarterly journal, the first 

 number of which appeared in March. It is edited by the very 

 able Hon. Sec'y of the Society, Mr. A. Allen, of Bath, and pub- 

 lished by W. P. Collins, of London. Its primary object is the 

 preservation of the most important notes and drawings from the 

 note-books of the Society; but it will also contain original papers, 

 notes, extracts, and correspondence upon microscopical subjects. 

 It will be freely illustrated, and will doubtless prove an entertain- 

 ing and instructive visitor. 



Summer School of Biology. — Microscopists can enjoy rare 

 opportunities for sea- shore collecting and laboratory work, at the 

 Summer School of Biology of the Peabody Academy of Science, 

 which opens at Salem, Mass., on July 1 1, and continues four weeks. 

 Among the special advantages for microscopical students, will be 

 a course of lectures on physiological botany, by Professor C. E 

 Bessey, of Iowa, and a course on anatomy and physiology of 

 vertebrates, by Professor A. H. Tuttle, of Ohio. 



SCIENTIFIC NEWS. 

 — It appears that the hunting of alligators in Florida is carried 

 on to such an extent as to threaten the extirpation of the species 

 ™ere. Nothing is used except the skins on the belly and legs. 

 The rough scaly plates on the back are rejected. The heads 

 are cut off and buried for a few days, till the tusks can be de- 

 tached. It was announced lately that one person had collected 

 alligators' teeth to the amount of three hundred and fifty pounds. 

 ihis will give some idea of the destruction going on. On the 

 St John's river a new method of hunting has been devised. A 

 dark lantern, with a powerful reflector, is used on suitable nights ; 

 and no difficulty is experienced in approaching the quarry. The 

 animals seem bewildered u it li the strong glare, and make no effort 

 to escape. The gun is held within a few feet of the head— a 

 touch to the trigger, and there is one "gator" less in Florida. 

 U»W process is very effective, and the hunters are enabled, not 

 °nly to kill, but to secure their prey. Large numbers of these 

 animals are slain annually by tourists for amusement only, besides 

 those slaughtered for profit. Further, many yc 



stuffed as specimens, or sent off alive as curiosities,' while myriads 

 e ggs are blown or disposed of by dealers.— English Mechanic. 



