404 Scientific News. [April 
from the cuticula. This is of course a great advantage in cutting 
sections. The presence ofa hard cuticula is often a serious diffi- 
culty in sectioning the eyes of Arthropods: This difficulty can 
be diminished somewhat by the use of the hardest paraffine, and 
by placing the broad surface of the cuticula at right angles to the 
edge of the knife when sectioning. Ribbon sections cannot be 
made with very hard paraffine, but it is often necessary to sacri- 
fice this advantage in order to obtain very good sections. 
SCIENTIFIC NEWS. 
ver a year ago the announcement was made that a human 
skull was found near Worcester, Mass., in such a position with 
regard to the bones of a mastodon as to indicate that they were 
contemporaneous. Regarding the authenticity of the mastodon 
bones there was no doubt, but certain facts seemed to indicate 
that the human skull was a “plant,” but one which was rather 
skilfully performed. It is now announced that those in Worcester 
who have been investigating the affair are convinced that the 
skull was placed where it was found by some one who had a. 
slight knowledge of archeology. As absolute proof is as yet 
lacking, no names are mentioned, but circumstances point strongly 
towards a person who is believed to be capable of such a fraud. 
—Prof. Herbert W. Conn, of os A will have 
charge of the biological instruction at the summer school at 
Martha’s Vineyard during the present season. 
— Random Notes on Natural History, a small monthly maga- 
zine started in 1884 by Southwick & Jencks, of Providence, 
R. I., has been discontinued. The three volumes published con- 
tain many notes on the natural history of Rhode Island. 
—The announcement has already been made in these pages 
that early in the present year Ginn & Co., of Boston, were. to 
_ Start a Fournal of Morphology, under the editorial charge of Dr. 
hitma 
to call the attention of all persons interested in the anatomy, | 
ies TINA or development of animals and plants to. the claims of 
this j It will be the endeavor to make it the equal and 
resentative in America of such periodicals in Europe as 
the Zeitschrift fir wis. wissenschafiliche Zoologie and the English 
pets Journal of Microscopical Science. The name of the 
editor is a guarantee that the contents will be of the highest 
character. The plates will be fully equal to those of the best of 
= “ie She. foreign journals. Such a journal has long been a desider- 
a atum, and iti is. the duty of svery American student to re it. 
ae Suto 
Saw e S AT, 
