are important. For Paleontology they mark in the bone breccia of Zirkel's Cave, a distinct stage in the Plistocene series, while for Anthropology they represent data which account for the presence of Man together with the bones of the extinct Megalonyx. They explain the relics of savages and the remains of Plistocene mammals at two caves situated in the Eastern Valley of Tennessee at a height of about 600 to 700 feet above the sea and within earlier reach of an overwhelming ocean in Champlain time, and again at a third cave, which, 300 feet higher on the continental floor and looking westward from the slopes of the Cumberland table-land, stands for that part of the Appalachian region whither animals and Man (if he existed) might have found convenient refuge when lower areas sunk, as is alleged, beneath the level of the invading waters.-HENRY C. MERCER. Aldie, June 4, 1896.

SCIENTIFIC NEWS.

The proposed general synopsis of the Animal Kingdom (Das Thierreich) to be issued by the German Zoological Society, is one of the greatest undertakings ever planned in the line of book making. It is proposed to give a short general account of each group, and following this is a synopsis of all existing forms, including those which have recently become extinct. The general editor of the whole series is Prof. Franz Eilhard Schulze of the University of Berlin, and he is assisted by the following department editors: Prof. O. Bütschli, Protozoa; Prof. C. Chun, Coelenterata; Prof. M. Braun, Plathelminthes; Prof. J. W. Spengel, Vermes; Dr. W. Kobelt, Mollusca; Dr. W. Giesbrecht, Crustacea; Prof. R. Latzel, Myriapoda; Prof. F. Dahl, Arachnida; Dr. H. Krauss, Orthoptera; Mr. A. Handlirsch, Neuroptera, Hemiptera; Dr. H. J. Kolbe, Coleoptera; Prof. C. W. Della Torre, Hymenoptera; Dr. A. Seitz, Lepidoptera; Prof. J. Mik, Diptera; Prof. F. Blochmann, Brachiopoda; Prof. E. Ehlers, Polyzoa; Prof. J. W. Spengel, Tunicata; Dr. G. Pfeffer, Fishes; Dr. O. Boettger, Batrachia and Reptila; Prof. A. Reichenow, Birds, and Prof. L. Döderlein, Mammals. These will be assisted by a host of collaborators for special groups, and the names of these, as far as announced, assures us of the

most authoritative treatment. The whole work will be of enormous extent, and it is estimated that it will take twenty-five years for its completion. It will be issued in parts of an average size of 48 pages, and the price charged to subscribers for the whole series will be 70 pf. (17 cents) for each "signature" of 16 pages; single subjects will be sold at an advance of above this price. It is estimated that the Flatworms will occupy 4 parts; the Crustacea 11, the Hymenoptera 13; the Mollusca 15, the Reptiles 3, and the Birds 16. The total will be over 120,000 pages, and the series, when complete, in large octavos, will occupy not far from 30 feet of shelf room. The publishers of the series are the well-known R. Friedländer & Sohn, of Berlin, and they have already issued a sample number, embracing the group of Heliozoa, treated by Dr. F. Schaudim, of Berlin. This occupies 24 pages. It is expected to begin regular publication with the year 1897, and the parts will be issued as fast as possible, without regard to their sequence in the whole work.

It will probably be interesting to know that a party of five from Cornell, under the direction of R. S. Tarr, will accompany Lieut. Peary on the trip to Greenland this summer. The party will be so constituted that the results will cover the several fields of natural history, although the main object will be the study of geology, and especially glaciation.

The next meeting of the American Microscopical Society, August 18-20th next, is to be held in the Carnegie Library Building, Pittsburg. The local Committee on Arrangements is organized: C. C. Mellor, Chairman; Mayness Pflaum, Secretary and Treasurer, and C. G. Neilnor, Chairman Finance Committee, either of whom will be glad to give members and others desiring to attend all necessary information. As soon as sufficient arrangements are made, special announcements will be mailed to all members.

Dr. R. Wagner, of Strassburg, has been appointed assistant in Vegetable Physiology in the University of Munich, and Dr. A. Y. Grevillius, of Upsala, assistant in Botany at Minster.

The Royal Belgian Academy of Sciences has recently elected Professors E. Strasburger, E. D. Cope, E. J. Marey and Sir A. Geikie to honorary membership.

Prof. M. Treub, Director of the Botanical Gardens, at Buitenzorg, who has been spending some time in Europe, has returned to Java.

Dr. A. Fleischmann has been advanced to the position of Extraordinary Professor of Zoology in the University of Erlangen.

The Royal Irish Academy recently elected Sir Joseph Lister, T. G. Bonney and Sir W. H. Flower to honorary membership.

Dr. G. A. J. A. Ondermann, Professor of Botany in the University of Amsterdam, has retired on account of his great age.

Mr. A. Lawson, botanist and director of the Cinchona plantations in the Madras district, died at Madras, February 14th.

Prof. D. Barfurth, of Dorpat, goes to the University of Rostock as Ordinary Professor of Comparative Anatomy.

Dr. H. Ph. Foullon von Norbeck has been appointed Chief Geologist to the Austrian Geological Survey.

Dr. G. Rörig, of Berlin, goes to the University of Königsberg as Extraordinary Professor of Zoology.

Mr. H. M. Drummond-Hay, ornithologist and ichthyologist, died recently at Perth, Scotland, aged 82.

Dr. J. Briquet, of Genoa, has been appointed Director of the Delessert Herbarium in that city.

Mr. J. H. Ashworth succeeds Dr. Hurst as Lecturer on Zoology in Owens College, Manchester.

Mr. A. S. Olliff, entomologist, died in Sydney, N. S. W., December 29, 1895, aged 30 years.

W. L. Sclater, of Eton College, goes to Cape Town as Curator of the South African Museum.

Dr. Thilenius has been made privat docent in Anatomy in the University at Strassburg.

Dr. C. Herbert Hurst, of Manchester, goes to Dublin as assistant to Prof. A. C. Haddon.

Dr. A. Smirnow, of Kazan, goes to the University of Tomsk as Professor of Histology.

Col. Plunkett has been elected Director of the Science and Art Museum in Dublin.

Dr. A. Bogdanof, Professor of Zoology in the University of Moscow, died in April.

Dr. G. Fatta has been appointed assistant in the Botanical Institute at Palermo.