430 Scientific News. [April, 
book whether the surface of the ground under the water is com- 
posed of mud, sand, gravel, boulders or rock. 
—The Department of Biology of the University of Pennsyl- 
vania, which promises to be one of the leading schools of the 
“science of life,’ has been formally opened. r. Joseph 
Leidy is director of the department. Its aim is to encourage 
original research in biology, by offering facilities to scientists 
engaged in investigation and by giving instruction to advanced 
students prosecuting special work. The university has rented a 
table at Dr. Dohrn’s Zodlogical Station, Naples, Italy, Dr. Charles 
Dolley being its representative. Mr. Edward Muybridge, whose 
attention to the study of the motion of animals and the illustra- 
tion of them by instantaneous photographs has gained him favor- 
able mention throughout the country, will work with the faculty, 
in photographing, and will give instruction in this branch to those 
who desire it. 
Further information respecting the department may be obtained 
from Professor H. F. Jayne, M.D., secretary of the faculty, 1826 
Chestnut street, Philadelphia. 
—The third volume of the memoirs of the National Academy 
of Sciences, which has been transmitted to Congress by its presi- 
dent, Professor O. C. Marsh, of New Haven, contains the pro- 
ceedings of the academy for 1884, and the following papers: I, | 
The sufficiency of terrestrial rotation for the deflectian of streams, 
by G. K. Gilbert; 2, On the temperature of the surface of the 
moon, by Professor S. P. Langley; 3, On the determination of 
the laws of the vibration of tuning forks, with special reference to 
the action of a simple chronoscope, by Professor A. M. Mayer; 
4, On the Baume hydrometers, by Professor C. F. Chandler; 5, 
On’small differences of sensation, by Professor C. S. Peirce and J. 
Jastron; 5, Description of an articulate of doubtful relationship 
from the tertiary beds of Florissant, Colorado, by Dr. S. H. 
Scudder; 7, The structure of the Columella auris in the Pely- 
cosauria, by Professor E. D. Cope; 8, On the structure of the 
brain of the sessile-eyed Crustacea, by Professor A. S. Packard. 
—The existence of a cavern in the neighborhood of Beaver 
hole, on Cheat river, near St. George, W. Va., has been known 
for years; but it was never explored until the past week, when a 
rty of men devoted a day to an examination of the cave. It 
proves to be a remarkable cavern, or rather a series of caverns, 
for there are five of them, one above the other. The lower one 
was explored a distance of a mile, and the upper one two miles. 
There is a small stream in the lower one, but the upper one 
is comparatively dry. The rooms are large and have evidently 
been cleared of débris at some former period. In one evidence of 
a fire was found, and the remnant of bones, which were brought 
