1883.] Scientific News, 809 
— The fourteenth annual report of the trustees of the Ameri- 
can Museum of Natural History, states that a contract has been 
made with Professor Ward for a collection of all the monkeys of 
the world. Extensive collections illustrating the ethnology of 
British Columbia have been likewise added. A rather new and 
valuable feature has been added, that of public lectures by the 
Superintendent, Professor Bickmore, over 150 teachers attending 
the course. The trustees appeal to all public-spirited citizens for 
an endowment to place the museum upon a footing “ commensu- 
rate with the prospective greatness of our nation ;” while it also 
asks for provision by the city for the erection of another wing to 
contain the rapidly-increasing collections. 
— The Newport Natural History Society was organized in May, 
at Newport, R. I., with the following officers: President, Professor 
Raphael Pumpelly ; vice-presidents, Hon. Samuel Powel, ex-Gover- 
hor C. C. Van Zandt, Hon. Francis Brinley, Professor Fairman Rog- 
ers, Mr. James Gordon Bennett, Mr. James R. Keene, Dr. Horatio 
R. Storer, Gen. Robert B. Potter, Colonel Geo. E. Waring, Colonel 
George H. Elliot, U. S. Engineer Corps, and Dr. Samuel W. 
Francis ; secretary, Captain John A. Judson, C. E.; correspond- 
ing secretary, Mr. Geo. C. Mason; treasurer, Dr. William C. 
Rives, Jr. ; librarian, Lieut. William M cCarty Little, U. S. Navy; 
curator and microscopist, Dr. J. J. Mason. 
— At the annual meeting of the Worcester Lyceum and Natu- 
ral History Association much interest was exhibited in museum and 
natural history work. Mr. F. G. Sanborn is the curator of the mu- 
seum. The society is outgrowing its present quarters and requires 
larger rooms. To meet the demand for the study of living plants 
and animals an outdoor enclosure is absolutely needed. >i 
manifested an increasing desire for knowledge on the part of visi- 
tors and a steady growth of interest in the study of zoology, 
botany and geology. Accompanying the report is a long list of 
gifts to the society. 
— The eleventh annual report of the curator (Professor W. 
N. Rice) of the Museum of Wesleyan University, indicates much 
activity in this growing collection. The most important acces- 
sions appear to be the skins of fourteen Australian marsupials, 
besides the Ornithorhyncus and Echidna, as well as the great 
lizard Hadrosaurus. The museum is now in good order, and ex- 
cellent from an educational point of view. 
— The death is announced by telegram from Madeira of Mr. 
William Alexander Forbes, B.A., prosector to the Zodlogical 
