1897]. Scientific News. 829 
stroyed. The greatest damage occurred in the botanical and geological 
departments; the library and the zoological collections were but slightly 
injured. The total loss is estimated at $8000. 
Dr. James Ellis Humphrey, Associate Professor of Botany in Johns 
Hopkins University, died in Port Antonio, Jamaica, August 17, at 
the age of 36. Dr. Humphrey had agreed to be one of the Botanical 
Editors of the American Naturalist, under its new management. A 
sketch of his life will appear in our next number. 
The recent appointment of Mr. Ernest William MacBride, fellow of 
St. Johns College, Cambridge to the professorship of zoology in McGill 
University, Montreal, marks a distinct step in advance in that institu- 
tion. Professor MacBride is well known through his researches on the 
embryology of Echinoderms and Batrachia. 
Dr. Japetus Steenstrup, until 1885 professor of zoology in the Uni- 
versity of Copenhegen, has just died. He was born March 8, 1813. 
His work was largely in the line of marine zoology and his essays on 
hermaphroditism and on alternation of generations attracted wide atten- 
tion in their day. 
The efforts made to have natural history specimens admitted to the 
mails of the Universal Postal Union has met with partial success in so 
far that these objects are now classified as samples and are charged 
postage at the rate of one cent for every two ounces. 
The plans and significations for the new wing of the American Muse- 
um of Natural History in New York, have recently been approved and 
bids for the construction of the addition are now being received. 
A new journal is the Annotationes Zoologice Japonensis. The first 
number contains a short but interesting sketch of biology in Japan by 
Professor Mitsukure. 
ay e Cagnola Prize of $500 and a gold medal have been awarded to 
Pro ir on the vegetation of Lombardy 
in iter time. 
Nearly 300,000 francs has been subscribed to the fund for a monum- 
ent to Pasteur in Paris. The commission for the statue has been given 
to M. Falguiéres. 
Professor H. W. Conn of Wesleyan University will spend next year 
in Europe. His biological courses will be conducted by Mr. Estin dur- 
ing his absence. 
