1886,] Scientific News. | 677 
_ — There is some hope of having a Division of Ornithology 
and Mammalogy created in the Department of Agriculture. Pro- 
fessor Riley and Dr. Merriam recently appeared before the Sen- 
ate sub-committee on appropriations having in charge the agricul- 
tural appropriation bill, and urged an amendment to the House 
bill creating such a division and appropriating $15,000 therefor. 
ur readers are aware that ornithological work was begun last 
year under the Division of Entomology. It was added to Riley’s 
others duties against his wish, and he deserves the thanks of 
ornithologists for carrying out the wishes of the Ornithological 
nion in appointments made under him. He realizes that there » 
is much in economic ornithology which has no bearing on ento- 
mology, and if the new division is created, Professor Riley and 
Dr. Merriam have arranged that the former will take charge of 
that part of the work bearing on the food-habits of birds in rela- 
tion to insects. 
The seeming anomaly is presented, by the excessive de- 
mand for furs, of the extermination of large species and the 
increase of smaller ones. This is obviously due to the fact that 
large animals require great space to roam over, while the smaller 
large species, making them more accessible and increases the 
their numbers, The grizzly and polar bears and Shetland seal are 
nearly exterminated. ` Of the last named only 200 skins were 
Secured last year, and the price of cloaks made from them ad- 
vanced to $1200. ane 
— The American causeway, or basaltic columns, at Orange, 
New Jersey, is the largest yet exposed. The columns are com- ` ` 
Pressed into a mass 750 feet long and 100 feet high, covering 
z fourteen acres. The generality stand vertically, but some lie in 
+ a horizontal plane and others radiate from a common center. In- | 
: rlorly they are a dark-blue color, covered with an incrustation 
e pentagons predominating. Underneath is an enormous de- — 
“atlas red sandstone. The columns are being quarried for 
uilding blocks and micodons, i ae pee as 
-= — Candidates for apprenticeships in the United States Navy 
_ Must come within the following measurements : ia 
Age. Weight. “Height. Chest. 
14 to 15 70 Ibs. 57 inches 26 inches. 
aS 96 e 86° “ c “ 
16 « 17 go “ 6I “ 8 “ 
I : 
j. 38 Ico “ ie ee et 
dust particles, ‘They range in shape from prisms to octagons, 
