438 
PERSONAL AND SCIENTIFIC NEWS. 
The BROOKLYif Institute, N. Y. One of the earliest courses 
of popular lectures delivered by professor Louis Agassiz on 
his arrival in America was presented at the Brooklyn Institute. 
In succeeding times its fortunes have fluctuated; but with re- 
organization and strengthening of resources a new era of ac- 
tivity began in 1887. By provision of the founder, series of 
popular scientific lectures are delivered during the winter 
months. Some of the lectures for 1888-9 are the following: 
Prof. Darwin G. Eaton, on Volcanoes; Prof. William 0. At- 
water on The Chemistry of Foods; Prof. G. Frederick AVright, 
on The Glaciers of Alaska and the Ice Age; William H. Niles, 
on Mountain Sculpture; Major J. W. Powell, on Human 
Evolution ; Rev. Dr. Charles H. Hall, on Tlie Yellou-sfone Park; 
Prof. G. Brown Goode, on The Museums of the Future. 
Pkof. H. S. Williams has recen"tly called attention in 
Science for Nov. 10, 1888, to a " remarkably clear conception of 
the elements of the theory for which Darwin has become fam- 
ous " published almost thirty years prior to the appearance of 
" The Origin of Species." It is by Robert Bakewell, and is 
found in his " Introduction to Geology," published in 1833. 
The chief points of Darwin's theory of the origin of species are 
here expressed. They are founded also upon observed facts. 
Prof. Robt. T. Hill in Science reports that two hundred head 
or more of bulfaloes may be found in the Panhandle of Texas, on 
the Llano Estacado, and in No-Man's Land. Some are on the 
Palo Duro Canon ranch, owned by captain Charles Goodnight; 
others in the Texas Capital Syndicate, on xii pasture, especially 
on the North Plains, i.e. north of the Canadian river; still 
others are at large. There are also many on the South Plain. 
A herd of eighty-three live baUaloes recently passed through 
Minneapolis, transported by cars from Warden Benson's, in 
Northwest territory, to C. J. Jones' ranch near Garden City, 
Kansas, whereabout fifty more head are preserved, and a goodly 
number of animals resulting from cross between the bison and 
the ordinary beef cattle. 
Since the publication of the report of state geologist 
Branner, of Arkansas, on the mining industry of that state, 
showing the valueless nature of many of the so-called mines, 
particularly those of the Hot Springs district, Prof. Branner 
has been subjected to bitter and vindictive abuse from the mine- 
owners of that region — such as was never poured upon a public 
officer, even among politicians. With dignified candor and un- 
disturbed confidence Prof. Branner has offered to submit the 
main question at issue to eleven expert mining engineers and 
geologists, and has promised to publish their report in his next 
ofiicial report to the governor, whatever the decision may be. 
