chloroform, he is almost sure to die. I was on the point of saying, if he inhale the slightest quantity of the vapor of chloroform, it will prove fatal. I am almost convinced that that would not be putting it too forcibly. When you consider the remarkably small quantity given in all the cases, I think you will be inclined to say that there is something in the theory."
Dr. Elliott Coues, U.S. Army, the distinguished naturalist of the Hayden Surveys, and one of the most eminent ornithologists in the country, has just been elected Professor of Anatomy in the National Medical College in Washington, fie entered upon its duties in April, and chose for the subject of his inaugural lecture, "Anatomical Science in its Bearings on the Origin of Species and Man's Place in Nature." He took strong grounds for the truth of evolution, and claimed the right to seek and state "the truth of Nature as existing in matter, with no heed to possible results, and without regard to the dictation of dogma, the sensibilities of prejudice, or the fears of ignorance."
The Summer School of Science, inaugurated last year at Bowdoin College, is to be continued this season, the term to commence July 16th and last six weeks. The studies this year will be chemistry, mineralogy, and zoölogy, practical instruction to be given in each, books being employed solely for purposes of reference. The fee for a full course, consisting of any two studies, is $20; for a single study, $12. Neither entrance examination nor recitations will be required.
J. Scott Bowerbank, well known for, his studies of the lower forms of marine life, especially the sponges, died at Hastings (England) on the 9th of March, in his eightieth year.
An observed increase of temperature at the Greenwich Observatory during recent years is attributed, by Mr. H. S. Eaton, President of the London Meteorological Society, to the heat imparted to the air by the city of London. He estimates that the heat developed from the present annual consumption of 5,000,000 tons of coal, on the 118 square miles covered by the city, and from all other artificial sources, would suffice to raise the temperature of a stratum of air 100 feet in depth, resting on that area, 2.5° every hour. On account of this influence, he considers the location a bad one for a first-class observatory.
Johann C. Poggendorff, for Upward of fifty years editor of the Annalen der Physik und Chemie, died in Berlin, January 24th, aged eighty years. His scientific studies were mostly concerned with the phenomena of electricity and magnetism. In 1834 he was appointed Professor Extraordinary of Physics in the University of Berlin, which position he held till his death. His contributions to science are chiefly to be found in the "Transactions" of the Berlin Royal Academy of Sciences.
We learn from the Milwaukee Sentinel that the theologians of that locality have arranged a concerted assault upon the conclusions of the biologists, and that paper remarks concerning it, that "the systematic attack arranged by the orthodox preachers of this city on the modern scientific theory of life indicates alarm, and is the first evidence that the evolution theory has met, or is likely to meet, with popular favor." It admonishes them to beware lest they create an interest in the subject, and set people to reading and thinking about it, who, if let alone, would probably pay little attention to it. The chances are that these gentlemen, who have combined to fight biological doctrines from their pulpits, will be the loudest to protest that there is no possible conflict between religion and science.
According to an obituary notice in the Bulletin, of Baltimore, the late Boss Winans was the first to prove the feasibility of using anthracite coal as fuel on locomotive-engines. He was also the inventor of the eight-wheel railroad-car.
Mr. John Y. Culyer, in a recent paper read at a meeting of the Association of School Commissioners and City Superintendents held in Albany, advocates the study of industrial and inventive drawing in our public schools, on the ground that, as a large majority of the pupils in these schools are destined for industrial occupations, their studies should be adapted to improvement in this direction. "Upon what," he asks, "does a man's advancement as a workman depend? Upon three things: his readiness in reading the designs of others, his skill with his tools in fashioning the designs of others, and his skill with his tools in fashioning designs of his own. His greatest advancement comes when he is able to do the latter."
A committee of the Ohio College Association has reported in favor of a State Board of Examiners, whose duty it shall be to examine all candidates for college degrees and have the exclusive power of granting the same. This is an important step, and nowhere is such a system more needed than in connection with our medical schools.
