have always understood they were popular. The Officers at present are as follows, the Secretary having charge of all correspondence: President, Prof. John Pierce, Providence, R. I., Secretary, Rev. A. B. Hervey, Troy, N. Y.; Managers, R. H. Ward, M. D., also of Troy, and C. M. Vorce, Cleveland, Ohio.-W. H. S. CORRECTION.—The list of birds of the District, published in No. 11 of our last volume, and credited to Mr. Shufeldt, should have been credited to Mr. Jouy, who will furnish us for publication, at an early day, a complete list of all the birds of the District. OUR BOOK SHELF. REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF MARYLAND TO HIS EXCELLENCY, THE GOVERNOR. Jan. 1st, 1876. Annapolis, Md. Printed at Advertiser office. [8 vo, pp. 208. Illus. xv.] A new class of public documents have come into existence within a few years, and are calculated to spread information of a very useful character, and result in benefiting the country and communities in an economical direction. We refer to the reports of commissioners of fisheries, both of the United States and the separate States. A recent one, which in its character is of considerable interest to Washington and surrounding regions, is the report of the Commissioners of Maryland, Mr T. B. Ferguson of Baltimore, and Mr. P. W. Downes, published by the State in 1876. This report, as compared with others from different States, is a very commendable one. Amongst other things the plan of a model hatching house is described, which is in actual operation at Druid Hill Park, Baltimore. In this building all the later improvements produced in fish culture are on exhibition and in actual operation. The eggs of several species of fish have their place in the different forms of apparatus and the young fish are cared for in nurseries and ponds. This establishment, too, has somewhat of an educational character, as the attendants are directed to impart to visitors any instruction they may desire. The novelties of artificial propagation, the ingenuity of different apparatus, and the presence of numerous species of living fishes, both embryo and mature fish, combine to make this establishment a very interesting one, both to the visitor and the student. Amongst other matters of original enterprise the subject of terrapin culture is discussed. The question of fish ways is referred to in a practical manner with relation to the passage of migratory fish in the Potomac River above the Falls of the Potomac. A very accurate map of the elevation and the topography of the falls has been made by Major Randolph, engineer of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The most interesting chapter in the book, for the naturalist, is the list of the fishes of Maryland, prepared by P. R. Uhler and Otto Lugger, of the Maryland Academy of Sciences. The list of fishes contains the names of one hundred and fifty-eight species, with a short description of each. These are classified in their respective families, adopting the arrangement of Prof. Theodore Gill, of the Smithsonian Institution. The character of the list is expressed in the passage from the introductory remarks, where it is explained that the list embraces every species of fish certainly known by one or other member of our section of Ichthyology to have been caught in Maryland waters, excepting a few only of which the names have not been ascertained." The material of the list and descriptions is largely in the Maryland Academy of Sciences, while not a few species are refered to as in the possession of the Smithsonian Institution. This portion of the work will be of great value to our local collectors. A compendium of the local fishery laws is also given. QUARTERLY BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOgical Club, CamBRIDGE, MASS. The first number of this new periodical. (Vol. I, No. 1, April, 1876,) is at hand. It is a neat octavo pamphlet of 28 pages, embellished by a beautiful colored steel plate of a new warbler, Helminthophaga leucobronchialis, Brewster. The text comprises nine articles, all of which are of interest and importance. The want of a magazine devoted exclusively to ornithology has long been felt in this country, and the "Nuttall Ornithological Club" will probably have the credit of being the first to supply this desideratum. We feel assured of the success of the undertaking since the editorship has been assigned to Mr. J. A. Allen, of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, of Cambridge, Mass.-a sufficient guarantee as to the nature of the contents, while Professor Baird, Mr. Lawrence, Dr. Coues, Mr. Ridgway and other leading ornithologists are to be among its regular contributors. We sincerly hope that ornithologists throughout the country may take a lively interest in this commendable undertaking, and render substantial aid by sending in their subscriptions to H. B. Bailey, No. 13 Exchange Place, Boston, Mass. The price is $1 per annum. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FLORA OF IOWA. PREPARED BY J. C. ARTHUR, pp. 43. [Charles City, March, 1876.] A very full catalogue of the flowering plants of Iowa embracing 979 species, These are presented in double columns; in the first is given the botanical names and authorities, and in the second the common names. This plan adds to the interest for the general reader, although in many instances these common names are mere translations of the scientific ones. The catalogue is remarkably free from the typographical errors so frequently found in works of this kind. There is added an appendix giving botanical descriptions of such plants as are not. found in Gray's Manual. So full and clear a catalogue must be an invaluable aid in the hands of investigators within the State, as well as a handsome and satisfactory exhibit of its vegetable productions to non-residents. A MANUAL Of the VERTEBRATES OF THE NORTHERN UNITED STATES. BY DAVID STARR JORDAN, M. S., M. D. In one volume, 12mo. Pp. 342. [Chicago, 1876. Jansen, McClurg & Co.] As this is an age of labor-saving appliances it is not strange that study should be made easier by improved methods. In the work before us, by the admirable plan of artificial keys used in some of the branches of Natural Science, the labor of classifying and identifying is greatly reduced. The work comprises descriptions of 817 species, representing 116 families of the mammals, birds, reptiles and fishes of that portion of the United States east of the Mississippi, and north of North Carolina and Tennessee. In addition to the descriptions of species there is a full Glossary of technical terms, and a "Nomenclator," or account of the derivations of the scientific names, an interesting feature of the work." Like Gray's Manual of Botany, it is a library in itself, and to beginners must prove an invaluable aid, while the cheapness of the work places it within reach of all. PROCEEDINGS OF THE POUGHKEEPSIE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCL. 8vo. pp. 32. Plates IV. Numbers 1 & 2. This society was organized in September 1874, and incorporated under the general act January 2d, 1875. The society meets on Monday evening of every other week in the room containing the library and museum. Discussions are held and papers read upon subjects embraced under the general title of Natural Science. Portions of the papers so read are presented, and are as follows: White Mildews or Blights, by W. R. Gerard; Insects as articles of Food; and the Theory of the Thermoscope, by Prof. Leroy C. Cooley. NOTES ON THE YUCCA BORER. By Prof. C. V. RILEY. PP. 20. Illustrated. From the Transactions of the Academy of Science of St. Louis, Jan. 1876. A biological, bibliographical and descriptive history of the yucca borer, Megathymus yucca, with an appendix giving descriptions of allied species likely to be found where the yucca borer Occurs. PUBLISHER'S DEPARTMENT. OUR FIRST NUMBER of the new Volume should have appeared on the first day of the month, but a mistake in the engraving of our title-page, requiring the work to be re-engraved, has caused the delay. We trust, in future, to be "on time." FLORA COLUMBIANA.-This Catalogue of the plants growing wild in the District of Col"mbia, now appearing in Field and Forest, and of which an extended notice was given in our last number, when completed, will be published in pamphlet form. Members of the Potomac-side Naturalists' Club, and others desiring copies, are invited to send in their subscriptions early, stating the number of copies wanted, as only a limited edition will be published. Price, 15 cents per copy. Members of the Club ordering eight or more copies can have them furnished eight for $1. Address Columbia Press, or Editor F. and F., P. O. Box 273. MIND, MATTER, MONEY, BEAUTY.-Webster's Quarto Dictionary, as now published, has cost more intellectual labor, more money in its "getting up," and contains more matter, and a larger number of beautiful engravings, (3000 or more, with four pages of colored plates,) than any single volume ever before published for popular use in this or any other country. Bell & Daldy, the publishers of Bohn's libraries, are the London publishers of this magnificent volume. A FINE INSTRUMENT.-With the market flooded with pianos of every conceivable make style and price, it is not an easy task for those in want of a good instrument, at a reasonable cost, to make a selection. The U. S. Piano Co., are manufacturing a really first-class instrument that is steadily increasing in popular favor, and as they have adopted the plan of employing no agents, and paying no commissions, they are enabled to furnish their instruments at a comparatively low figure. CHEAP ILLUSTRATIONS.-We call the attention of those desiring outline or diagram illustrations to the cut on our third page, which is done by Joyce's Patent process of about one half the usual rates for wood engravengraving, taking very little time, and costing TREASURE TROVE.-A Magazine of Entertaining and Select Literature published at 137 Eighth St., New York City, by R. B. Caverly.ing; the cut is hardly a specimen of the work of what can be done. as it is merely an outline, but will give an idea The initial number of Volume One is before us. Mrs. Wood, author of "East Lynne," gives the first chapters of a new serial story in this number, which also contains the "Secret of the Stair," "Roserl," "Entrapped," "Oldboy's Nearest Relative." and other entertaining stories and select reading matter. $3. per year, single cepies 30 cents. CENTENNIAL MUSIC.-F. W. Helmick, Music Publisher, 278 W. 6th Street, Cincinnati, sends us "That Banner a Hundred Years Old." Words by B. Devere, music by Eddie Fox; title-page embellished with a patriotic design in colors. Price 50 cents. A number of card photographs of the principal Centennial Buildings are presented to each purchaser of the song. CARD BASKET. SCIENTIFIC PERIODICALS! Subscriptions received for any of the Scientific Periodicals, by JOHN C. PARKER, 527 7th St., Washington, D. C. E. MORRISON, PAPER WAREHOUSE, No. 805 D Street. Drying and Mounting paper for Botan ists furnished to order. THIS PAPER IS ON FILE WITH GEO.PROWELL&CO ADVERTISING ACENTS 44 PARK ROW,N.Y Where Advertising Contrac、 can be made. VIEWS OF FOREST TREES.-The undersigned has for sale 1 set of photographic views of the large trees of the Wabash Valley, Indiana and Illinois, size about 6 x 8 inches, mounted on cardboard. The Magnetic Soap. The Cheapest soap that can be used Ist.-One bar will go as far as two of any other. 3d.-The clothes are made SWEET, CLEAN and It is guaranteed under penalty of fifty dollars not to De-injure the clothes or hands, and as one trial will enable set comprises 48 views, including 3 stereoscopics. scriptions will also be furnished. Price $15,00. Address ROBERT RIDGWAY, SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, Washington, D. C. NORTHERN UNITED STATES. By David Starr Jordan, M. S., M. D. 12mo. 342 Pages. Price, $2.00. This work contains descriptions of 817 species, representing 116 families, and contains in addition to the descriptive part, a full Glossary of the technical terms, and also a full "Nomenclator" or account of the der:vations of the scientific names applied to our animals. Sent by mail, post paid, on receipt of price. JANSEN, MCCLURG & CO., Publishers. Chicago Ills. any person to ascertain the truth of these statements, This is also a superior Soap for TOILET and SHAV- WARNER, RHODES & CO., By the use of which every family may give their Linen that brilliant polish peculiar to fine laundry work. Saving time and labor in ironing, more than its entire cost. Warrented. Sold by Druggists & Grocers Everywhere. ASK FOR DOBBINS'. |