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 bequeathed to the Museum of Practical Geology, London, It contains 246 specimens of vertebrate remains. A very perfect lower jaw of the beaver (Castor Eurapæns), with some well preserved banes of the Elephas primigenius, the Rhinoceros leptorhinus, and the Bos primigenius, are among the gems of this valuable collection.

.—An interesting boring for coal is now going on close to the eastern suburbs of the town of Leicester. In 1876 bore-hole at this spot reached a depth of 750ft., entirely in the Keuper marls and sandstones, but stepped at this point in consequence of the boring rods breaking and stopping up the hole. The Diamond Rock Boring Company have now contracted to go down to a depth of 1,200ft., but, in our opinion, the question will be settled at a less depth than this. The proximity of the ridge of Palæozoic Rocks, which runs southwards from Charnwood Forest by Enderby, Sapcote, &c. is an important factor in the question. Desford marks its western edge, so that if the ridge, or the rocks (inferior to the coal-measures) which rest upon it, extends eastwards beneath the Trias for eight miles, it will be an effectual bar to the finding of workable coal seams in this locality.

.—Mr. , of the Crystal Palace Aquarium, is engaged in writing a practical book on Aquaria, for which he has long been collecting materials. Writing on the subject, he says—"My illustrations will be numerous, original, and unusual, consisting mainly of views, plans, and sections of many aquaria, and of the various Kinds of machinery employed in them toe circulate the water, and will include also all the portraits I can find of those who did early and good aquaria work. Among these I should like to have a portrait of Mrs., who, in London, in the year 1816, maintained the earliest known marine aquarium on the compensating principle, with plants and animals balancing each other. Any hints or references to early books, or pamphlets, of prints, or pictures, or photographs, will be very acceptable. Among other things, I much want access, temporary OF otherwise, to two aquarium guide books to the now non-existing aquaria, one in Vienna, dated about 1860, and one in Copenhagen, about 1873-74. I shall be very grateful for any properly-authenticated details in MS., or any references to such as have been published, on the maintenance of any animals, ranging from sponges to fishes, both marine and fresh water, under the conditions proper to aquaria. Any loans made to me will be punctually and thankfully returned."

, U.S.—The annual report for 1876 has lately been issued. It contains a statement by the director, Professor J. Henry, on the work and progress of the Institution, and a report from Prof. S. F. Baird on the Centennial Exhibition. Then follow biographies of Guy-Lussac, and that scientific monarch, the present Emperor of Brazil; articles on the Kinetic Theories of Gravitation; Revolutions of the Crust of the Earth; Asteroids between Mars and Jupiter; and several ethnological articles, altogether forming a handsome volume of some 500 pages. The report and other publications of the Institute are, we believe, presented to Societies who send copies of their reports and transactions to the agent for the Smithsonian Institute, Mr. W. Wesley, 28, Essex Street, Strand. Another important feature in the work of this valuable Institution is that it undertakes to receive books, specimens, &c., from wary part of the world for American Societies and Museums, and transmits in return any exchanges which may be desired. During the year 1876 no fewer than 4,853 packages were received from abroad, and some 13,000 parcels sent out. These have been carried free of cost by the various Atlantic Steamship Companies, and thus carriage from any part of the United Kingdom need only be paid as far as