Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 62.djvu/484

478 geodesy, including investigations on the figure and constitution of the earth and the variation of the acceleration of gravity at its surface. Taking up the work in these fields at the stage of advancement attained in the early part of the last century, mainly through the labors of the distinguished French investigators, among whom Lagrange, Laplace, Poisson and Fresnel were preeminent, Stokes contributed a large part of the decided progress gained during the past sixty years. He shares with Helmholtz the credit for the important advances in hydromechanics since the epoch of Lagrange; he did more than any other writer to extend the brilliant work of Fresnel; and his additions to the theory of geodesy are the most noteworthy since the epoch of Laplace.

His long and active career was crowned with recognition such as falls to few men of science. Universities and learned societies of his own and foreign countries conferred upon him the highest marks of distinction; while at the 'Stokes Jubilee,' celebrated at Cambridge in the summer of 1899, the whole scientific world united in presenting the heartiest tribute of appreciation of his laborious and fruitful life.

New York Zoological Park and Society have made important progress during the past year. We have already called attention to the fact that the New York Aquarium has been placed under the charge of the Zoological Society. The city appropriates $45,000 for the maintenance of the aquarium, while the society undertakes the scientific control. The importance of the aquarium as an educational institution is borne witness to by the fact that the average daily attendance is 5,000 persons. The new director, Dr. C. H. Townsend, has made a number of improvements in the aquarium. He has planned a fish-hatching exhibit, which will be in operation throughout the year, and alterations that will greatly improve the illumination and ventilation. He also proposes to bring the aquarium in closer touch with the