266 TJie American Geologist. October, it*98 
PERSONAL AND SCIENTIFIC NEWS. 
Prof. James Hall, State Geologist of New York, 
died Aug. 7, at Bethlehem, N. H. His long service for the 
State of New York has rendered his name familiar to geol- 
ogists throughout the world. His activity spanned nearly 
two generations, and his impress on geological science 
is probabl}' greater than that of any other American geol- 
ogist. The State of New York can well afford to honor her- 
self by some lasting memorial to his name, in addition to 
that which exists in his published works. 
Prof. C. H. Hitchcock, having leave of absence from 
his duties in Dartmouth College, sailed August 25th from 
Vancouver, on the steamer Aoraiigi, to spend a year in geo- 
logical exploration in the Hawaiian Islands. His address 
will be Honolulu. 
Prof. W. M. Davis, of Harvard University, is also ab- 
sent, for a year in Europe, his address being in care of Bar- 
ing Brothers & Co., London. 
Mr. Jay Woodworth, Assistant in Geology, of Harvard 
University, returned September 17th, from an absence of 
three months in Europe spent in travel for geological ob- 
servation, from the Island of Moen, in the Baltic sea, through 
Germany, Switzerland, northern Italy, England, Scotland 
and Ireland. 
The American Association for the Advancement of 
Science supplied to its members at the Boston meeting the 
following handbooks of information: "A Handbook of the 
Principal Scientific Institutions of Boston and Vicinity, with 
a brief account of the more important Public Works, of the 
Geology and Geography, and of Places of Historical Inter- 
est" ( 118 pages, with ten views of buildings, from photo- 
graphs), prepared by the Local Committee; and a "Guide 
to Localites illustrating the Geology, Marine Zoology, and 
Botany of the Vicinity of Boston" (100 pages, with maps, 
sections, and views), edited b)' A. W. Grabau and J. E. 
Woodman, with contributions by Profs. Crosby, Davis, 
Emerson, Farlow and Wolff, and including convenient 
bibliographic references. Through the courtesy of the 
officers of the Harvard University, Cambridge, the Local 
Committee also presented to the members "A Guide Book 
to the Grounds and Buildings of Harvard University" (149 
pages, with map and many views of the university build- 
ings) ; and a "Guide to the Peabody Museum" (29 pages). 
