189 



rill. The original gift of Mr. Peabody was $150,000, with the 

 provision that a fire-proof building be erected, and $50,000 kept 

 as a reserve fund. In accordance with the terms of the gift, the 

 land is to be given by the college, and the building, when com- 

 pleted, is to be the property of the college. A building fund has 

 been reserved which will not be used until it amounts to at least 

 $100,000. 



Sir Charles Lyell, the eminent geologist, died Feb. 22, at the 

 age of seventy-seven. He was born Nov. 14, 1797. He began 

 to publish geological papers in 1826. In 1830 appeared his 

 "Principles of Geology." This work was original in its method, 

 as tlte author sought to explain past geological events by laws in 

 operation at the present time. The doctrine is called Uniformita- 

 nanism. and is of a piece with Darwinism and evolution. Lyell 

 in a measure was to geology what Darwin is to biology. 

 . Sir Charles Lyell visited this country in 1841. His journey 

 resulted in the publication of "Travels in North America in 

 1841-2." "A Second Visit to the United States" appeared in 

 1849. His « Geological Evidences of the Antiquity of Man " was 

 published in 18G3, in which he endorsed the theory of Mr. Darwin, 

 though previously opposed to the development hypothesis, which 

 his whole course of geological thought had unconsciously perhaps 

 to himself favored. 



The Cornell University has just received from Australia, through 

 Prof. H. A. Ward, a foetal Dugong (Halicore austrcdis), about 24. 

 feet long, well preserved in salt. The intestines had been re- 

 moved, but the other viscera, including the peculiar bifid heart, 

 are in good condition. 



It is my hope that its dissection may throw some light upon the 

 general homology of the pectoral muscles with mammals ; and 

 that its brain and other organs may lend some aid to our knowl- 

 edge of the relations of this peculiar group of aquatic Herbiv- 

 ora. — Burt G. Wilder. 



The Newark (New Jersey) Scientific Association was organized 

 in January last, with the following officers :— President, Dr. A. M. 

 Edwards ; Vice President, Dr. A. N. Dougherty ; Secretary, G. J. 

 Hagar ; Treasurer, W. S. Nichols. The Association will hold 

 monthly meetings, give lectures and form a cabinet. It intends 

 to pay special attention to local natural history, and do what it 



