Personal and Scientific News. 341 
of geological subjects and landscapes, mainly purchased from 
tli-e income of a fund established in 1892 by George A. Gard- 
ner, of Boston, '^i-ieuce.) 
The Geological Society of Washington lias recently 
(March) published a pamphlet of 44 pages which contains 
the presidential address of Mr. G. K. Gilbert, the constitution 
and standing rules of the Society, abstracts of meetings and 
lists of officers and members for 1895. There are 109 active 
and 43 corresponding members. Mr. Gilbert's address is en- 
titled " The origin of hypotheses : illustrated by the discus- 
sion of a topographic problem.'" and is devoted to Coon butte, 
a volcanic crater of Arizona. 
A MEMORIAL TABLET TO PROF. Geo. H. WlLLIAMS has just 
been erected in the Williams room of the geological laboratory 
of the Johns Hopkins University. The tablet is the work of 
Mr. Murray of Philadelphia. It consists of a medallion like- 
ness of Prof. Williams with the following inscription beneath: 
185(3. 1894. 
George Huwtingtoh Williams, Professor of Inorganic Geology. 
An eager student, a stimulating teacher, a tireless investigator, 
a loyal friend, who established and successfully promoted the 
study of geology in this University. 
This tablet is erected in loving remembrance by his parents. 
(ape of Good Hope Geological Survey. Last year a com- 
mission was appointed for the purpose of organizing, control- 
ling and directing the work of geological exploration and 
survey of this colony. This commission has now appointed 
the following gentlemen to begin the work of surveying and 
mapping: Dr. G. S. Corstorphine, geologist: Messrs. A. W. 
Rogers and E. H. L. Schwartz, assistant geologists. As early 
as possible the commission will publish and distribute a 
bibliography of South African geology. The headquarters of 
the survey are at (ape Town. 
Geological Society of London. The question as to the de- 
sirability of retaining tin- Museum of the Geological Society 
1ms formed the subject of long deliberations by the council of 
the Society. It was announced at the recenl annual meeting 
that, in accordance with the report of a special committee, 
the trustees of the British Museum had been asked whether 
they would undertake to house and care for the collection-. 
keeping type- specimens and specimens illustrative of papers 
read before t he Society distinct, and defraying also the ex- 
penses of transference. To these conditions the trustees have 
assented, and tin- matter will before long be submitted to the 
Fellows for their decision ;it a special general meeting. 
University or Minnesota, College of Mining \m> Metal- 
lurgy. The sophomore, junior and senior classes of this col- 
lege will spend tin- month of May in practical mining work on 
the Vermilion ami Mesabi iron ranges of Minnesota. The lat- 
