Co The American Naturalist. [June, 1891.] 
May 16th.—The following communications were read: Prof. C. V. 
Riley—‘‘ The Mexican ‘ Arrow Weed’ and “ Jumping-Jack.’’’ Mr. 
J. M. Holzinger—* Incentives to Natural History Work.” Mr. Wil- 
liam Palmer—“ The Distribution of Certain Mammals, Birds, and 
Plants on the Pribyloff Islands.” Dr. George Vasey—‘‘ Notes on 
Recent Field Work of the Botanical Division of the Department of 
Agriculture.” Mr, F. A. Lucas—Qn a Tortoise from Duncan 
Island.’’—Freperic A. Lucas, Secretary. 
SCIENTIFIC NEWS. 
Francis W. Cragin, S.B., Professor of Geology and Zoology in 
Washburn College, Topeka, Kansas, has issued a prospectus of a 
geological and physical geography of Kansas, an illustrated hand- 
book, educational in its relation to pure science, and practical in its 
relation to the development of the natural resources of the state, for 
the use of students, teachers, travelers, farmers, investors, and general 
readers. 
We have received the prospectus of the Geologists’ Association 
(University College, Gower Street, London). The president is T. V. — 
olmes, F.G.S., M.A.I. The object of the association is to facilitate 
the study of geology and its allied sciences. The methods adopted 
by the association are: (1) Monthly meetings for the reading of 
papers, etc., (2) visits to museums, etc., (3) excursions, (4) publica- 
tion of papers, etc., (5) the formation of a library. They are well 
adapted to meet the requirements of those who may be interested in, 
but know little of, geology ; whilst the experienced geologist is enabled 
both to add to his own knowledge and to impart it to others, 
Dre H. Hensoldt, curator of the Geological Museum and lecturer 
in Petrographical Philosophy at the School of Mines, Columbia Col- 
lege, New York, will shortly issue a work, ‘Studies in Microscopical 
1y.” It will consist of a series of one hundred mineral and 
rock sections for the microscope, with descriptions and accurate, artistic 
lithographed plates. 
