tion of the volume of the brain of the orang and chimpanzee to that of man, when he rates it at about half the minimum size of the normal human brain. Taking thirty-three ounces as the lowest weight of the latter consistent with a natural condition in the adult male, the brain of the orang and chimpanzee may be stated at a third of that weight.

At p. 487 this subject is summed up as follows:-" Of the four genera of the Anthropomorpha, the gibbons are obviously most remote from man, and nearest to the Cynopithecini.

"The orangs come nearest to man in the number of the ribs, the form of the cerebral hemispheres, the diminution of the occipito-temporal sulcus of the brain, and the ossified styloid process; but they differ from him much more widely in other respects, and especially in the limbs, than the gorilla and chimpanzee do.

"The chimpanzee approaches man most closely in the character of its cranium, its dentition, and the proportional size of the arms.

"The gorilla, on the other hand, is more man-like in the proportions of the leg to the body, and of the foot to

Ch

C.

D.

E.

F

Ret.

CAD

PA

A C.

A D.

PA.

AC

I U 10 IV V VI VII Vui IX

FIG 5.-A diagram intended to show the manner in which the aortic arches become modified in the series of the Vertebrata. A. A hypothetically perfect series of aortic arches, corresponding with the nine postoral visceral arches, of which evidence is to be found in some Sharks and Marsipobranchii A.C. Cardiac aorta; A.D. Dorsal or subvertebral aorta. 1.-IX. the aortic arches, corresponding with M., the mandibular; Hy., the hyoidean, and Br.1-Br.7, the seven branchial visceral arches. I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII., the seven branchial clefts. The first visceral cleft is left unnumbered, and one must be added to the number of each branchial cleft to give its number in the series of visceral clefts. B. Hypothetical diagram of the aortic arches of the shark Heptanchus, which has seven branchial clefts. Sp. The remains of the first visceral cleft as the spiracle. Branchia are developed on all the arches. C. Lepidosiren -The first arch has disappeared as such, and the first visceral cleft is obliterated. Internal branchia are developed in connection with the second, fifth, sixth, and seventh aortic arches; external branchia in connection with the fourth, fifth, and sixth. P.A. the pulmonary artery. The posterior two visceral clefts are obliterated. D. A Teleostean Fish.-The first aortic arch and first visceral cleft are obliterated, as before. The second aortic arch bears the pseudo-branchia (Ps. B.), whence issues the ophthalmic artery, to terminate in the choroid gland (Ch.). The next four arches bear gills. The seventh and eighth arches have been observed in the embryo, but not the ninth, and the included clefts are absent in the adult.

E. The Axolotl (Siredon), a perennibranchiate amphibian. The third, fourth, fifth, and sixth aortic arches, and the anterior four branchial clefts, persist. The first visceral cleft is obliterated.

F. The Frog.-The three anterior aortic arches are obliterated in the adult. The place of the third, which is connected with the anterior external gill in the Tadpole, is occupied by the common carotid and the rete mirabile (carotid gland, Ca.G) which terminates it. The fourth pair of aortic arches persist. The fifth and sixth pair lose their connection with the subvertebral aortic trunk, and become the roots of the cutaneous and pulmonary arteries. The first visceral cleft becomes the tympanum, but all the others are obliterated in the adult.

An interesting synopsis is given of the anatomical peculiarities of these animals, and of the circumstances in which they most differ from, or resemble, man. Among these the author has inadvertently overstated the propor

FIG. 6.-A, the stomach of a Sheep. B, that of a Musk-deer (Tragulus). a, oesophagus; R, rumen; Ret., reticulum; Ps., psalterium; A., Ab abomasum; Du., duodenum: Py., pylorus.

the hand; further, in the size of the heel, the curvature of the spine, the form of the pelvis, and the absolute capacity of the cranium."

The work is concluded with a brief statement of the characteristics of the human organisation. Among these the superior size of the head of the male infant at b rth might perhaps have received a more prominent place. The short statement of variations in structure connected with difference of race is of peculiar interest. The various races of mankind are placed in two groups according to the character of the hair, viz, a, the Ulotrichi (crisp or woolly-haired), who are almost all dolichocephali, and 6, Leiotrichi (straight-haired), who are distributed in four sets, viz., 1, Australioid, 2, Mongoloid, 3, Xanthochroic, or blue-eyed whites, and 4, Melanochroic, or dark whites.

It will now be proper to place before the reader some illustrations, taken from the "Manual," of Prof. Huxley's mode of treatment of individual topics.

The first of these which is selected (Fig. 1) relates to the intricate but deeply interesting subject of the homology of the os quadratum of birds and reptiles, a bone which was

compared by Cuvier to the tympanic bone of mammals, but which more lately, in consequence of the embryological researches of Reichert and Rathke, was held to correspond rather with the incus,—a view in which Prof. Huxley formerly concurred. Later observations, however, (detailed in a paper published in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society for 1869) have led him to alter his opinion, and to form the opinion that the os quadratum may, with the greatest probability, be regarded as representing the malleus.

In explaining this morphological point, Prof. Huxley refers as follows (at p. 27) to the osteogenetic process connected with the formation of the lower jaw and hyoid bone, or mandibular and hyoid arches.

"Two ossifications commonly appear near the proximal end of Meckel's cartilage, and become bones moveably articulated together. The proximal of these is the quadrate bone found in most vertebrates, the malleus of mammals; the distal is the os articulare of the lower jaw in most vertebrates, but does not seem to be represented in mammals. The remainder of Meckel's carti

lage usually persists for a longer or shorter time, but does not ossify. It becomes surrounded by bone, arising from one or several centres in the adjacent membrane, and the ramus of the mandible thus formed articulates with the squamosal bone in mammals, but in other vertebrata is immoveably united with the os articulare.

"Hence the complete ramus of the mandible articulates directly with the skull in mammals, but only indirectly, or through the intermediation of the quadrate, in other vertebrata. In birds and reptiles, the proximal end of the quadrate bone articulates directly (with a merely apparent exception in Ophidia), and independently of the hyoidean apparatus, with the periotic capsule. In most if not all fishes, the connection of the mandibular arch with the skull is effected indirectly, by its attachment to a single cartilage or bone, the hyomandibular, which represents the proximal end of the hyoidean arch."

This last "is often united, more or less closely, with the outer extremity of the bone, called columella auris, or stapes, the inner end of which, in the higher vèrtebrata, is attached to the membrane of the fenestra ovalis."

A fuller and most interesting account of the origin and relations of these bones in connection with the changes occurring in the development of the first and second visceral arches, and with the formation of the external and middle parts of the ear is given at pp. 83-85; but there is only space here to reproduce the diagrammatic figure of the Manual (Fig. 2), which places very clearly in comparison their probable homology in fishes, reptiles, and mammals.

The main point on which the question hinges seems to be the separate connection ascertained to exist between the periotic capsule and the two rods contained respectively in the first and second visceral arches; the proximate part of the first becoming the quadrate bone, or malleus; that of the second becoming the incus in the part above the attachment of the stapes to the rod, and stapedius muscle below; while the stapes itself, or columella auris, is an offset, as it were, from the second rod proceeding to the fenestra ovalis. The subject, however, is one of so great difficulty, especially as connected with the existence and relations of the tympanic bone in birds and reptiles, to the proof of which the researches of Peters have been directed, that it would be hazardous to attempt any decision of the question at issue without

an opportunity of going very fully and minutely into the whole investigation.

The third illustration from the earlier part of the Manual (Figs. 3, 4) gives a clear view of the relations now very generally recognised between the rudimentary parts of the foetal brain and those forming the adult encephalon of the different classes of Vertebrata, and it is enough to refer to the diagrammatic figures, with their description.

The exposition which follows of the modifications in the form and organisation of the brain in different animals, together with the comparative views of the brains of the rabbit, pig, and chimpanzee, in figs. 21 and 22 of the Manual, is most instructive and worthy of attentive study.

The next illustration extracted from the Manual (Fig. 5) is diagrammatic, like the preceding ones, being intended to explain the changes by which, in fishes and amphibia, the permanent arterial vessels nearest the heart are derived from the common typical aortic arches, which, in the foetus of all vertebrate animals, surround the first part of the alimentary canal.

The illustration might advantageously be extended to show the parallel changes in reptiles, birds, and mammals; these, however, may be better given from the ventral than from the lateral aspect.

The figure here inserted of the skeleton of the horse (Fig. 7) is a very good example of the wood engraving, in which, notwithstanding the small scale, there is remarkable clearness of detail; and the succeeding figures, representing several details of the osteology of the same animal, are all to be commended for beauty and delicacy of execution.

The illustration given in Fig. 6 is one in explanation of the structure of the stomach of the ruminant, in connection with which the following statement of recentlyestablished points regarding rumination may be quoted (p. 381) :

"1. Rumination is altogether prevented by paralysis of the abdominal muscles, and it is a good deal impeded by any interference with the free action of the diaphragm.

"2. Neither the paunch nor the reticulum ever becomes completely emptied by the process of regurgitation. The paunch is found half full of sodden fodder, even in animals which have perished by starvation.

"3. When solid substances are swallowed, they pass indifferently into the rumen or reticulum, and are constantly driven backwards and forwards, from the one to the other, by peristaltic actions of the walls of the stomach. "4. Fluids may pass either into the paunch and the reticulum, or into the psalterium, and thence at once into the fourth stomach, according to circumstances.

"5. Rumination is perfectly well effected after the lips of the œsophageal groove have been closely united by wire

sutures.

"It would appear, therefore, that the cropped grass passes into the reticulum and rumen, and is macerated in them. But there is no reason to believe that the reticulum takes any special share in modelling the boluses which have to be returned into the mouth. More probably, a sudden and simultaneous contraction of the diaphragm and of the abdominal muscles compresses the contents of the rumen and reticulum, and drives the sodden fodder against the cardiac aperture of the stomach. This opens, and then the cardiac end of the œsophagus, becoming passively dilated, receives as much of the fodder as it will contain. The cardiac aperture now becoming closed, the bolus thus shut off is propelled by the reversed peristaltic action of the muscular walls of the esophagus into the mouth, where it undergoes the thorough mastication which has been described."

In connection with this it may be remarked that fuller illustration by figures of the organs of digestion, circulation, and respiration in different animals seems desirable in the Manual.

Of the 110 woodcuts contained in the Manual, twothirds are original, while the remaining third (37) are borrowed from other authors, whose names are mentioned in the preface.

For so complex a subject as the osteology of the skull, as well as perhaps in several other parts, some extended table of the bones, with the letters of reference employed throughout the work, would afford considerable assistance to the student.

It might also be advantageous in an elementary work of this kind to have added select references to works for fuller study, and a glossary of (at least unusual) terms.

In concluding this notice we repeat that the Manual is in every way worthy of its learned author, and calculated to be extremely useful in promoting the study of Comparative Anatomy and Zoology on sound principles. The work cannot fail soon to go to a second edition, when the author will have considered the expediency of such additions as we have ventured to suggest, or of others of which he approves, and which he has doubtless been deterred from including in the present work from the desire to bring it within as narrow a compass as possible. We may also express the hope that the publishers have made arrangements for the speedy publication of a similar Manual of the Anatomy of the Invertebrate Animals. ALLEN THOMSON

NOTES

M. JANSSEN has addressed to the French Academy of Sciences the following letter, on the principal consequences to be drawn from his observations on the solar eclipse of 12th December last; it is dated Sholoor, December 19, 1871 :-"I had the honour," he says, "of sending you on the very day of the eclipse a few lines to inform the Academy that I had observed the eclipse under an exceptional sky, and that my observations led me to assume a solar origin for the Corona (see NATURE, vol. v. p. 190). Immediately after the eclipse I was obliged to busy myself with the personal and material arrangements for my expedition into the mountains, and hence I have been unable to complete any detailed account, but I take advantage of the departure of this courier to give some indispensable details as to the announced results. Without entering into a discussion, which will form part of my narrative, I shall say, in the first place, that the magnificent Corona observed at Sholoor showed itself under such an aspect that it seemed to me impossible to accept for it any cause of the nature of the phenomena of diffraction or reflection upon the globe of the moon, or of simple illumination of the terrestrial atmosphere. But the arguments which militate in favour of an objective and circumsolar cause, acquire invincible force when we inquire into the luminous elements of the phenomenon. In fact, the spectrum of the Corona appeared in my telescope, not continuous, as it had previously been found, but remarkably complex. I detected in it, though much weaker, the brilliant lines of hydrogen gas, which forms the principal element of the protuberances and chromosphere; the brilliant line which has already been indicated during the eclipses of 1869 and 1870, and some other fainter ones; obscure lines of the ordinary solar spectrum, especially that of sodium (D); these lines are much more difficult to perceive. These facts prove the existence of matter in the vicinity of the sun; matter which manifests itself in total eclipses by phenomena of emission, absorption, and polarisation. But the discussion of the facts leads us still further. Besides the cosmical matter independent of the sun which must exist in its neighbourhood, the observations demonstrate the existence of an excessively rare atmosphere, with a base of hydrogen, extending far beyond the chromosphere and protuberances, and deriving its supplies from the very matter of the latter-matter which is projected with so much violence, as we may ascertain every day. The rarity of this atmosphere at a certain distance from the chromosphere must be excessive; its existence, therefore, is not in disagreement with the observations of some passages of comets close to the sun."

WE earnestly call the attention of all men of science who may have influence with the French Government, to the letter on behalf of Elisée Reclus by Mr. H. Woodward, which will be found in another column.

We have to record the death of the Rev. Canon Moseley, F.R.S., on Saturday last in his 71st year. Born in 1801, he went to St. John's College, Cambridge, where he graduated seventh wrangler in 1826. He was for a time Professor of Natural Philosophy and Astronomy at King's College, London, and was afterwards appointed one of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools, and was a member of the Ordnance Select Committee. Canon

Moseley was well known for his writings on various physical subjects, in particular on the phenomena connected with the freezing of water, and the molecular constitution of glacial ice.

THE Photographic News notices the death of one of the most eminent continental photographers, Johannes Grasshoff, of Berlin, at the early age of thirty-six. At the recent exhibition of the Photographic Society in Conduit Street, his studies were among those most admired in the whole collection, and not least his group of thirty different pictures from one and the same

model. Like some others of the most successful photographers, his education was that of an art student, and he was known as a clever painter before he became a skilful photographer.

IT will be recollected what a warm discussion was raised in the French Academy of Sciences before the late war by the proposal to enrol Mr. Darwin among its corresponding members. The proposal was at that time postponed, but his name has now been placed first on the list for the forthcoming election of a Corresponding Member in Zoology, and he will, therefore, no doubt receive the honour. His supporters are MM. MilneEdwards, Quatrefages, and Lacaze-Duthiers.

AT the meeting of the Royal Geographical Society on Monday evening last, Lieutenant Dawson, R. N., was introduced as the leader of the party organised to attempt the relief of Dr. Livingstone. Mr. W. O. Livingstone, a son of the explorer, born in the neighbourhood of Lake N'gami, is to accompany the party. An application to the Treasury for a grant of money to aid the expedition has been unsuccessful. Should this decision be a final one, the undertaking must therefore depend entirely on private subscriptions; but we are happy to see that the subject is already being warmly taken up in many of the larger towns in the country, and the sum of 1,700l. was announced as having been raised by Monday evening last. Since then a public meeting has been held at Glasgow, at which 200l. was subscribed, and one will probably be held in London, under the auspices of the Lord Mayor.

THE subscription raised as a Memorial Fund to the late Mr. Alder of Newcastle now amounts to about 300/. This is considerably less than the amount it was thought might have been raised, though sufficient to carry out in a limited form the original suggestions as to its appropriation. The Committee recommend that it should be invested in the names of trustees, and should serve as the foundation of a Scholarship in Zoology, or other branch of Biology, bearing Mr. Alder's name, in the New College of Physical Science in Newcastle; the transfer to be coupled with such stipulations as to the teaching of Biological Science as may be agreed upon.

THE editor of Les Mondes calls attention to the manner in which scientific chairs have been disposed of in France, not so much with the object of " finding men to fill the vacant places as places for the protégés or favourites of the moment." On the death of M. d'Archiac, the chair of paleontology in the Museum of Natural History at Paris was given to M. Lartet, a paleontologist of world-wide renown, but too advanced in years and of too feeble health to permit him to give a single lesson. On the death of M. Lartet, although there are a large number of good paleontologis's in France, it was all but decided, from motives of private convenience and patronage, to abolish the chair, its maintenance being secured by a majority of two votes only. The appointment has now been made to the professorship of M. Albert Gaudry, late assistant to Prof. d'Archiac, and author of “La Géologie et la Paléontologie de l'Attique,” an appointment which will give general satisfaction.

THE Engineer states that the French Government, impressed by the want of thorough geographical instruction, have under consideration a plan for a Geographical Institute, on a scale which has never before been attempted. The proposed Institute is to include all the means and accessories of geographical education in its widest acceptation-books, maps, charts, globes, instruments, collections of natural objects, &c.—and to include a staff of professors and teachers of the highest grades. The naval depôt of charts and plans will form one of the departments of the new Institute, which promises to be of eminent service, not only to France, but to the whole of Europe, for, should it be established on the scale proposed, there is little doubt that it will give an impulse to geographical study throughout the civilised world.

THE Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture will award on the 1st of March next two prizes of 300 dols. and 200 dols. respectively to the two best establishments in the State for the culture of fishes for food, all competitors for which must send in their names and addresses to the secretary of the Society, Edward N. Perkins, 42, Court Street, Boston. The committee of award will consider the number of species of fishes cultivated, the number of individuals, and their size and condition, the number of eggs hatched in the establishment, and of young reared from them, the neatness and economy of the establishment, and the excellence of the fixtures.

DR. STIMPSON, the secretary of the Academy of Sciences of Chicago, left Baltimore in the steamer of the 15th of December for Key West, for the purpose of making explorations and collections in the Florida waters, partly with the object of replacing that portion of the collection of the Chicago Academy lost by the fire. It is expected that he will take charge of the dredging operations of the United States Coast Survey steamer Bibb, while she is employed in selecting a line for the submarine cable which is to be laid for the International Cable Company between Cape San Antonio, Cuba, and some point on the coast of Yucatan.

WE learn from the Gardeners' Chronicle that among the disastrous losses occasioned by the Chicago fire, the very valuable Entomological Collection of the late Dr. Walsh was totally destroyed. The Canada Farmer states that after the death of the eminent entomologist, the collection became by purchase the property of the State. It was not only very extensive, but the specimens were arranged and labelled with great care and accuracy; and it will be many years before another can be collected to replace it.

THE first number of the Journal of the Anthropological Institute of New York, an institution newly organised upon the base of the former Ethnological Society of that city, is published. In the change the scope of the society has been greatly enlarged, and many of the difficulties attendant upon the maintenance of the old organisation have been obviated. Several papers of more or less interest are to be found in this first number, and there is little doubt that the new society will occupy a prominent place in advancing knowledge in the world.

MR. STEPHEN T. OLNEY, a well-known botanist, resident at Providence, Rhode Island, has just published a list of the Algæ of Rhode Island, as collected and prepared by himself. In this he enumerates twenty-four species of melanosperms, or olivecoloured algæ; forty-four of rhodosperms, or red algæ; and twenty-five of the chlorosperms, or green algæ, making ninetythree species in all. The remaining forms, principally microscopic, enumerated by him, and including zygnemaceæ, desmideæ, and diatomaceæ, bring the number up to 189. Of most of these Mr. Olney possesses duplicates, which he will be happy to dispose of in exchange.

THE second volume of the "Annals of the Dudley Observatory," edited by its director, G. W. Hough, has just made its appearance, and consists of a report of the meteorological observations made at the observatory from 1862 to 1871. Its value is enhanced by its embracing the hourly records of the barometer (automatically printed) for a continuous period of five years, made by means of a very efficient apparatus invented by the director, and now used in numerous places, among others, in the office of the Signal Service at Washington. An appendix to the report contains miscellaneous communications upon the galvanic battery, the total eclipse of the sun of August 2, 1869, and the meteoric showers of 1867, &c. ; and the whole book must be considered a very valuable contribution to physical science.

SERIOUS apprehensions have been excited at Nantwich in

Cheshire by the repeated landslips which have occurred there. For several winters in succession large surfaces of ground have fallen in, it is supposed on account of the withdrawal of the salt from the salt-mines. The slip which occurred this winter is on the same spot where similar occurrences happened twelve months, two, and four years ago. The pit is about 300 yards in circumference, and about 100 feet deep, and the sides are almost perpendicular. It is feared that if these subsidences continue the town itself will be threatened, and the attention of the Government has been called to them.

MR. W. LAIRD CLOWFS, in a letter to a contemporary dated The Cottage, Pinner, Monday, Jan. 8, writes :-"To-night, between 8.15 and 8.30, I noticed three beautifully luminous atmospherical phenomena on the northern horizon. They all took the form of an arc of fire of between 8° and 10° in height, the first two happening within a minute of one another, and the last about eleven minutes after the second. There were a slight breeze and light clouds at the time." This was most probably an aurora borealis, but we have not seen any other account of it. J.P.E.

THE Trinity Board have established an electric light at the South Foreland lighthouse, which is situated between Dover and Deal. It was formally opened on New Year's Day by Sir Frederick Arrow, the Deputy-Master of the Trinity Board, in the place of Prince Arthur, who was prevented from being present. This lighthouse establishes a triangle of electric lights, the other two being at Dungeness and Cape Grisnez J.T.

E

THE accounts furnished by the Boston Advertiser from the captains and crews of the vessels of the whaling fleet lately destroyed or ice-bound in the Arctic Ocean concur in describing the presence of peculiar meteorological phenomena during the past season. The prevailing summer wind on the north-west coast of Alaska is from the north, and this works the ice off from the land and disperses it, while the north-westerly winds close it up on the shore. As the ice moves off, the ships generally work up by the land, and in that situation find whales in plenty. By the end of the season, when north-westerly winds are prevalent, the ice becomes so broken up and melted that it has ceased to be an element of danger, and the vessels are compelled to retire to the northward by heavy ice drifting along the coast from the north, and not from a threatened closing in upon the land. But this season the easterly winds were not so strong and constant as usual, and the ice that had gone off from shore returned in a heavy pack, so that it was impossible to get a ship through, or even to hold against it at anchor. The heavy ice-fields are all composed of fresh-water berg-ice, not floe-ice of salt. water. The bergs are not of the immense proportions seen in Greenland seas, but are solid enough to be equally dangerous, many masses being so heavy as to ground in ten fathoms of

water.

On Nov. 15 the town of Oran, the second city in the province of Salta, was destroyed by a series of earthquakes lasting nine hours. Very little life was lost, the first shocks being light. The inhabitants had time to flee to the open camp of Monte Video. T.PE

SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE FROM
AMERICA*

ADVICES from Lieutenant G. M. Wheeler, United States Engineers, whose movements during the past year we have had frequent occasion to chronicle, announce his arrival at Tucson about Dec. 4, with the men and animals nearly exhausted. The trip from Prescott to Camp Apache had been very severe, on account of the snow and high winds on the Colorado plateau. During their exploration one party had been sent to the San

* Communicated by the Scientific Editor of Harper's Weekly,

Francisco mountains, and made the ascent of the principal peak. These mountains consist of three prominences, grouping in the form of a crater, the north-eastern rim being wanting. The principal peak was occupied as a topographical, barometrical, and photographic station." It is believed to be nearly 1,000 feet higher than the peak usually ascended; and Lieutenant Wheeler was of the opinion that his party was the first to occupy its summit. This, however, was a mistake, as Dr. Edward Palmer, of the Smithsonian Institution, made the ascent in 1870, and obtained a number of new species of plants and insects.-A document which has been for some years in preparation, and toward which much expectation has been directed by agriculturists, has just appeared from the Government press, namely, the Report of the Commissioner of Agriculture upon the Diseases of Cattle in the United S ates. About the middle of June, 1868, a disease broke out at Cairo, Illinois, among a number of Texas cattle, known as the Spanish fever, or the Texas cattle disease. In consequence of the rapid extension of this disease, very serious alarm was excited, and the services o Prof. John Gamgee, a distinguished English veterinarian, then in the Uni ed States, were secured by General Capron, the Commissioner of Agriculture, for the purpose of instituting a careful inquiry as to its cause, course, and methods of treatment. The Professor immediately visited the infected districts in Illinois, and in the spring of 1869 examined that part of Texas on or near the Gulf coast, where the transportation of the native cattle begins. In this last journey he was accompanied by Prof. Ravenel, of South Carolina, a specialist among the fungi, and whose particular object was to determine what part such plants played in the infection. Dr. J. S. Billings and Dr. Curtis, of the army, were also associated in the inquiry, having special reference to the microscopic investigations. A second investigation by Prof. Gamgee, under the authority of the Commis-ioner of Agriculture, had reference to the subject of pleuro-pneumonia, in the course of which numerous microscopic observations were made by Dr. Woodward, of the Army Medical Museum. Full reports on these various subjects made by the different gentlemen are embodied in the volume referred to, which appears in quarto form, with numerous welt-executed plates in chromo lithography. It is also accompanied by a report by Mr. Dodge, the statistician of the Agricultural department, upon the history of this Texas cattle disease, also known as splenic fever, in which the devastations of this peculiar native malady are traced back into the eighteenth century. This report was considered by General Capron as simply preliminary, and further investigations are indicated as important. Among those especially mentioned are inquiries as to the best mode of arresting the contagion, and the proper way of transportation of the cattle northward. He thinks that a general law of the United States, in the interest of public health, of an enlightened humanity, and of the cattle trade, should regulate this tr ffic, not only throughout the Gulf States, but on the great routes throughout the country.-A valuable document lately issued by the Surgeon General's Office at Washington, prepared by Dr. G. A. Ois, consists of a report of surgical cases treated in the army of the United States from 1865 to 1871, covering almost every possible variety of injury, whether by gun-shot wounds, lacerations, fractures, dislocations, amputations, &c. The report, which is a quarto of nearly 300 pages, is illustrated in the same excellent style as its predecessors, and the woodcuts are especially worthy of all praise.-Bills have been introduced both in the Senate and House of

Representatives providing for the reservation of that portion of the region about the Yellow Stone Lake, in which the wonderful geysers and hot springs occur, to wh ch we have repeatedly called the attention of our readers. The thorough exploration of that country made during the past season by Dr Hayden has enabled him to define the limits within which these natural features occur, and the bill is based upon a plan prepared under his direction. The area proposed to be preserved is about sixty five miles in length by fifty-five in width, and it is suggested that the reservation be placed under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, who is to be empowered to take such steps as may be required to protect the natural curiosities from injury or destruction. It is highly important that this should become a law at the present session, as the glowing accounts given by Dr Hayden will cause a great many persons to visit the country during the coming year, and with the natural iconoclasm of the Anglo-Saxon race, there is great danger that the wonderful water basis and formations of sulphur and of calcareous and siliceous rocks will be knocked to pieces for the purpose of securing mementoes of a visit,