272 
would combine to purchase the sites, and trans- 
fer the custody of the same to the trustees of 
the Peabody museum at Cambridge, which, as 
the only institution in the country specially de- 
voted to American archeology, would be a fit- 
ting and safe almoner of such a trust. 
A FEw months ago a piece of vandalism 
which shocked the scientific and artistic worlds 
was perpetrated in Munich. Some fiend took 
it into his head to disfigure the beautiful new 
marble statue of Liebig by staining it with a 
dark liquid. It was at first thought that it 
would be impossible to remove the stains, as 
they were found to have affected the marble to 
some depth beneath the surface. A commis- 
sion of chemists, consisting of Professors von 
Pettenkopper and Baeyer, Liebig’s successor, 
and Dr. Zimmermann, was appointed to inves- 
tigate the matter, with a view to determine the 
nature of the stains, and to remove them if 
possible. It was found that nitrate of silver 
had been used, with which some permanganate 
of potassium had probably been mixed. It is 
gratifying to learn that the work of the com- 
mission has been entirely successful, the stains 
having been completely removed without inju- 
ry of any kind to the statue. The method used 
consisted in transforming the metals, silver and 
manganese, into the sulphides by treating the 
spots with sulphide of ammonium, and then 
with cyanide of potassium. The chemicals 
were used in the form of pastes, made by mix- 
ing them with finely-powdered porcelain-clay. 
Gen. TENNANT has recently called attention 
to a possible cause of variation in the rates of 
chronometers, which has never before been con- 
sidered ; namely, the humidity of the air. The 
subject is well worthy of investigation ; and it’ 
is to be hoped that those interested in deter- 
mining the rates of chronometers will also 
make observations on the humidity of the air 
around the chronometer, in order to determine 
whether any such effect is really produced. 
Gen. Tennant’s results are not presented in 
such a form that a positive conclusion can be 
reached. 
cies 
SCIENCE. 
(Vor. IIL, No. 57. 
Tue appointment of Professor Flower to 
succeed Sir Richard Owen as superintendent of 
the natural-history department of the British | 
museum is as gratifying to American natural- 
ists as it is to the majority of those in Eng- 
land. The removal of this section of the 
museum tothe new building, South Kensing- 
ton, will, of course, sever it still further from 
the control of the chief librarian, who is techni- 
cally the head of the entire organization ; while 
the new policy of making it an educational 
museum, as well as a museum of research and 
record, adds much to the responsibilities of its 
officers. Professor Owen, having brought his 
career as an active investigator to a wonder- 
fully satisfactory conclusion, is glad to be re- 
lieved of administrative duties, and to retire to 
his country home near Richmond, to devote his 
few remaining years to quiet study. Professor 
Flower, who succeeded him as conservator of 
the museum of the Royal college of surgeons, 
has demonstrated in that capacity his ability 
as a museum director. His work as an investi- 
gator has been extensive and important; and 
there is no naturalist in England who is more 
deservedly popular, or who could command 
a more unanimous support among his fellow- 
workers. Seconded, as he is, by three such 
experienced assistants, — Dr. Gunther, keeper 
of the zodlogical collections ; Dr. Woodward, 
keeper of the geological collections ; and Dr. 
Carruthers, keeper of the botanical collections, 
— there can be no doubt that Professor Flower 
will be able to add very much to the efficiency 
of what is already the most extensive natural- 
history museum in existence. 
WE referred, a few wecks since, to the favor- 
able opportunity now afforded for observations 
upon Saturn. At the January meeting of the 
Royal astronomical society of London, there was 
an interesting discussion upon the markings 
upon the planet observed by Mr. Pratt of 
Brighton, and other members of the society. 
The planet was described as having on each 
side of its equator a zone of creamy tint, un- 
usually free from markings. At about latitude 
10° south, there was a strong narrow belt sharp- 
* 
