Amongst several unsolicited Testimonials the two following have been received by the maker: Engraved Real Size. A NEW ACHROMATIC COMBINATION, COMBINING THE DEFINITION OF A MICROSCOPE WITH THE PORTABILITY OF A POCKET LENS. "If you carry a small Platyscopic Pocket Lens (which every observer of Nature ought to do)."-GRANT ALLEN in Knowledge. The Platyscopic Lens is invaluable to botanists, mineralogists, or ent(mologists, as it focuses about three times as far from the object as the Coddington Lenses. This allows opaque objects to be examined easily. The Platyscopic Lens is made of four degrees of power, magnifying respectively 10, 15, 20, and 30 diams. ; the lowest power, having the largest field, is the best adapted for general use. The Lenses are set in Ebonite Cells, and mounted in Tortoiseshell Frames. Price of the Platyscopic Lens, mounted in Tortoiseshell, magnifying either 10, 15, 20, or 30 diameters, 18s. 6d. each power. Illustrated description sent free. J. J. HICKS, 8, 9, & 10 HATTON GARDEN. OND N. JOHN BROWNING, 63 STRAND, LONDON, W.C. The 'STAR MICROSCOPE is a modern marvel at its low price. NECRETTI & ZAMBRA'S CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. NEW MODEL R. & J. BECK, 68 Cornhill, London, E.C. MERCHANT VENTURERS' SCHOOL, LIVING SPECIMENS FOR THE MICROSCO BRISTOL. The HEAD-MASTERSHIP of this School of Science, Art. Technology, and Commerce will become VACANT after the Examinations in MAY 1800. The School works in connection with the Department of Science and Art, and the Head-Master must be qualified to teach, and superintend teaching. under the conditions laid down by that Department. He will be required to devote his whole time to the work of the School, and to be responsible personally for the Chemical Branch of it, which has large and well-appointed Laboratories. There are upwards of 1300 Students now in attendance. Applications for the Head-Mastership must be sent in to the underwritten address before JANUARY 31, 1890, and may be accompanied by Copies of not more than Five Testimonials. Applications from Candidates who cannot show that they have had experience in teaching and in organizing Schools, and in the modes of scientific and technical education, or from Candidates above the age of Thirty-five, will not be considered. The Salary, made up partly of a fixed payment, partly of Capitation Fees, and partly of a share of Grants on results of examinations, will be guaranteed at not less than £500 a year Further information may be obtained from GEORGE H. POPE, Merchants' Hall, Bristol. UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, BRISTOL. The SECOND TERM will begin on JANUARY 21. The College supplies for Persons of either Sex, above the ordinary School Age, the means of continuing their Studies in SCIENCE, LANGUAGES, HISTORY, and LITERATURE. The CHEMICAL, PHYSICAL, ENGINEERING, GEOLOGICAL, and BIOLOGICAL LABORATORIES are open Daily. The Engineering Department includes Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Mining Engineering and Surveying; and special arrangements for practical work have been made with various Engineers in and near Bristol. Information with regard to the lodging of Students may be obtained on application. Several SCHOLARSHIPS are tenable at the College. ENGINEERING EDUCATION. UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, BRISTOL.-Courses of Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Mining Engineering. Mineralogy and Applied Geology for Civil and Mining Engineers. Facilities are offered in the way of College Scholarships. Engineering Works' Scholarships, and special arrangements for entrance into professional life. CALENDAR, containing full information, price is. (by post, 15. 3d.). JAMES RAFTER, Secretary. GEORGE HERIOT'S TRUST. HERIOT-WATT COLLEGE, EDINBURGH. PROFESSORSHIP OF PHYSICS AND ELECTRICAL The Governors having resolved to appoint a Professor of Physics and Electrical Engineering, will be glad to receive applications from Candidates for the appointment. Written Applications, accompanied by 30 Copies of Testimonials, should be sent to the TREASURER of George Heriot's Trust on or before JANUARY 20, 1890. The Salary of the Professor is £400 per Annum. Enquiries as to the Duties of the Professorship should be addressed to Principal OGILVIE, at the Heriot-Watt College. Candidates are requested to abstain from call.ng on the Governors unless they are invited to do so. TREASURER'S CHAMBERS, DAVID LEWIS, Treasurer. 20 York Place, Edinburgh, December 20, 1889 ST. THOMAS'S HOSPITAL MEDICAL SCHOOL, ALBERT EMBANKMENT, LONDON, S. E. TWO ENTRANCE SCIENCE SCHOLARSHIPS of 125 Guineas and £50 respectively, open to all First-Year Students, will be offered for Compeution in SEPTEMBER 1890. Special Classes are held throughout the Year for the PRELIMINARY SCIENTIFIC and INTERMEDIATE M.B. Examination of the University of London, and may be joined at any time. Entries may be made to Lectures or Hospital Practice, and Special Arrangements are made for Students entering in their Second or subsequent Years; also for Dental Students and for Qualified Practitioners. Prospectuses and all Particulars may be obtained from the Medical Secretary, Mr. GEORGE RENDLE. GOLD MEDAL awarded at the FISHERIES EXHIBITION THOMAS BOLTON, 83 CAMDEN STREET, BIRMINGHA Who last week sent to his subscribers Trout Ova, with sketch and 4: tion. He also sent out Philodina roseola, Corethra, Floscularia, Clat elegans. Limnias ceratophylli, Melicerta ringens, Stephanocer globator; also Amoeba, Hydra, Vorticella, Crayfish, Dog-Fish, Amphi and other Specimens for Biological Laboratory work. Weekly Announcements will be made in this place of organismsis supplying. Specimen Tube, One Shilling, post free. Twenty-six Tubes in Course of Six Months for Subscription of £1 or Twelve Tubes for ios. 6d. Portfolio of Drawings, Eleven Parts, 1s. each. UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, LONDON. GEOLOGY. Prof. BONNEY, F.R.S, will give a Course of about Sixty Lectur GEOLOGY, at 12 Noon on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Tours beginning January 9. Also a Course of about Eighteen Lectures on ECONOMIC GEOLOG at 2 p.m., on Fridays, beginning January 10. Special Instruction is given to Students preparing for the B.Sc an Examinations. For further Information apply to J. M. HORSBURGH, M.A., Serreta" THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, PRINCIPAL DR. H. J. WEBB, B.Sc. Thorough practical and scientific Training in Agriculture. Prepa for the Colonies. Students gained the First, Third, and Fourth S ships of the Royal Agricultural Society, 1888. OWENS COLLEGE, MANCHESTER. The LENT TERM begins on TUESDAY, JANUARY 7. New Students will be admitted on MONDAY, JANUARY 6, and t lowing days, between 11 am and 2.30 p.m. Prospectuses of any of the Departments will be forwarded on applicare HENRY WM. HOLDER, M.A., Registr TO SCIENCE LECTURERS. See Mr. HUGHES'S PATENT COMBINATION OPTICAL LAN TERN, used by W. LANT CARPENTER, Esq., Prof. FORBES, B. J. MAL Esq. New Oxyhydrogen Microscope. Grand Results. Docwrs Ingh Prize Medal, Highest Award. Patent Pamphagos Lantern Science L Sets. Novelties Cheapest and Best. Elaborately Illustrated Cat 300 Pages, 18.; Postage, 5d. Smaller do., 6d. Pamphlets Free. HUGME Specialist, Brewster House, Mortimer Road, Kingsland, N. ROCK SECTIONS CUTTING MACHINES Prize Medal awarded by the Jury of the late Exhibition of Invent cale PRICE £5 Sole Makers CUTTELL, 47 Rathbone Place, Oxford Street. SILVERED-GLASS REFLECTING TELESCOPES. CALVER'S well-known TELESCOPES received the Highest Avar?! "Excellence and Improvements" at the International Exhibition, La Catalogues and Testimonials, 18.-G. CALVER, F.R.A.S., W Chelmsford. MANUSCRIPT COPYING By Typewriter. Special attention given to Papers on Technical Suly OSTEOLOGICAL SPECIMENS SCIENTIFIC WORTHIES. The following is a list of the Portraits that have appeared in the above Series: MICHAEL FARADAY. THOMAS HENRY HUXLEY. JOHN TYNDALL. GEORGE GABRIEL STOKES. SIR CHARLES WHEATSTONE. HERMANN L. F. HELMHOLTZ. SIR JOSEPH DALTON HOOKER. WILLIAM HARVEY. SIR GEORGE B. AIRY. JEAN BAPTISTE ANDRÉ DUMAS. SIR RICHARD OWEN. SIR C. W. SIEMENS. JOHN COUCH ADAMS. JAMES JOSEPH SYLVESTER DMITRI IVANOWITSH MENDELEEFF. Proof impressions of these, printed on India paper, may be had from the Publishers, price 5s. each, or the Set of 26 Portraits in a Handsome Portfolio for £6 15s. od., carriage paid. THE PORTFOLIO MAY BE HAD SEPARATELY, PRICE 6s. Cheques and Money Orders payable to MACMILLAN & CO., OFFICE OF "NATURE," 29 BEDFORD STREET, STRAND. J. T. CROCKETT, Maker of every description of Entomological Cabinets and Apparatus; Store and Book-boxes, fitted with Camphor-cells; Setting Boards, Oval or Flat, &c. Cabinets of every description kept in stock. SPECIAL INSECT CABINETS, with Drawers fitted with Glass Tops and Bottoms to show upper and under side without removing insect. Store-boxes specially made for Continental Setting, highly recommended for Beetles. All best work. Lavest possible terms for cash. Prices on Application. Estimates supplied. Trade supplied. Established since 1847. Shore Rooms-7A Prince's Street, Cavendish Square, W. (7 doors from Uxtard Circus. Factories-34 Ridinghouse Street, and Ogle Street, W. Excellent Copies of the actual, natural Handwriting, also of Drawings, Music, even of elaborate Sketches, Programmes, Plans (up to Double-Elephant size), Shorthand, and Type Writing, are easily, quickly, and cheaply produced by the AUTOCOPYIST Very fluid ink, used with ordinary pen and paper. 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In con NATURAL HISTORY AND SCIENTIFIC BOOK CIRCULARS nection with this department of The SPEAKER a new feature include a portion of their stock: No. 97.-ICHTHYOLOGY; Reptilia and Amphibia; General Zoology, including Ancient Works, Biographies. Classification, Darwinism, Manuals, Periodicals, Transactions of Societies; Anatomy, Physiology, and Embryology. Price 4d. No. 98.-ORNITHOLOGY; Local and British Ornithological Faunas; Foreign and Exotic Ornithological Faunas; Cage Birds and Poultry; Ornithological Monographs; Periodicals and Systematic Works. MAMMALIA; including Cetacea, Sirenia, and Pinnipedia. FAUNAS AND GEOGRAPHY of Great Britain and Ireland, Continental Europe, Africa, America, Arctic Regions, Asia, Australasia. ZOOLOGICAL VOYAGES. Over 1000 Works. Price 4d. W. WESLEY & SON, 28 Essex Street, Strand, London. 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Great care will be taken to ensure prompt notices of new books; whilst one special feature of the literary portion of The SPEAKER will be the appearance of a causerie from the pen of a well-known essayist and critic, in which literary news and personal information on literary topics will be blended with criticism. Scientific questions will be dealt with by men who are them. selves distinguished in scientific research; Art, Music, and the Drama will be handled by recognized authorities; whilst special attention will be paid to the movements of the Money Marke and the condition and prospects of our Commerce and Industry. Although, as a rule, the articles in The SPEAKER will be anonymous, the Editor will publish from time to time signed communications from men and women whose names will add weight to their writings, and whose opinions on questions of the day the public will be eager to learn. Weekly, 6d. No. 1 ready JANUARY 4. THE SPEAKER. A REVIEW of POLITICS, LITERATURE, SCIENCE, and ART. Terms of Subscription by Post: Yearly, 28s. Half-Yearly, 14s. Quarterly, 78. Orders are now received by all Booksellers. Editorial and Advertisement Offices: 115 Fleet Street. Published for the Proprietors by CASSELL & CO., LIMITED, Ludgate Hill, London. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1889. RECENT ORNITHOLOGICAL WORKS. Notes on Sport and Ornithology. By His Imperial and Royal Highness the late Crown Prince Rudolph of Austria. Translated, with the Author's permission, by C. G. Danford. Pp. i-viii., 1-648. (London: Gurney and Jackson, 1889.) Matabele Land and the Victoria Falls. A Naturalist's Wanderings in the Interior of South Africa. From the Letters and Journals of the late Frank Oates, F.R.G.S. Edited by C. G. Oates, B.A. Second Edition. Pp. i.-xlix., 1-433 (London: Kegan Paul, Trench, and Co., 1889.) Index Generum Avium. A List of the Genera and Subgenera of Birds. By F. H. Waterhouse, A.L.S. Pp. i-v., 1-240. (London: R. H. Porter, 1889.) N° O naturalist can peruse the pages of the handsome volume which contains the record of the sporting journeys of the late Crown Prince Rudolph, without ancere feelings of pity and regret. Here was a young man, whose scientific instincts were of the truest, and for whom, in every way, a splendid future might have been predicted, whose opportunities for the advancement of science were unlimited; and it is most sad that so promising a life should have been cut short by the decrees of fate. One-third of the volume before us is devoted to " Fifteen Days on the Danube," and the narrative affords a striking experience among the varied forms of bird-life which are to be met with on that famous river in April. This is a really valuable sketch of the ornithology of the district, and will be useful to everyone who is interested in the distribution of European birds. The same may be said of the chapters entitled "Sketches of Sport in Hungary" PP. 391-98), “Miscellaneous Notes on Ornithology" PP. 409-54), “Ornithological Sketches in Transylvania" PP. 559-72), and the various "Ornithological Notes" from the neighbourhood of Vienna, &c. Throughout the work the great affection which the author entertained for the birds of prey is manifested, and the "Ornithological Sketches from Spain" (pp. 455-502), are entirely devoted to Raptorial birds, as are also many other chapters in the book. Prince Rudolph thoroughly believed in the races of Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaëtus), which are admitted by A. E. Brehm and other Continental authors. The "Stein" Eagle is generally supposed to be a distinct bird from the true Golden Eagle, and we remember how the Crown Prince overhauled the series of specimens in VOL. XLI.-No. 1052. the British Museum, and pointed out the differences between the supposed races; but when the discussion was over, we could only see that the "Stein" Eagles consisted mostly of immature birds, while the "Golden" Eagle was represented by the older birds in the collection, the alleged difference of habitat being due to the fact that the more lowland country frequented by the "Stein" Eagle was due to their being driven from the mountain eyries by the older birds. The discussion of many points by the Crown Prince on his visit to the British Museum was sufficient to show what a thoroughly sound ornithologist he was. Mr. Danford has done his work as a translator with evident care and a sympathetic knowledge of his subject. Over much of the ground traversed by the Prince the translator has also travelled, and he has evidently fully appreciated the enthusiasm of the author. In the "Ornithological Sketches from the East," wherein are detailed the results of the Crown Prince's journeys in Egypt and Nubia, and afterwards in Palestine, we notice several identifications which strike us as remarkable, and which we believe to be wrong. Was not Falco feldeggii, the Lanner Falcon, the species identified by the Prince as F. barbarus? Acrocephalus turdoides (p. 513). Surely this is A. stentoreus? Certhilauda duponti, "seen in considerable numbers, but only among the bushes and scattered pastures of the islands near the Barrage of the Nile." We should like some confirmation of such an eastward extension of this Algerian bird's range. Generally, however, the nomenclature is good, though slightly Brehmian in character, and Mr. Danford has detected some obvious errors, though the above statements appear to have escaped him. The late Mr. Frank Oates was a young naturalist who travelled in South Africa in 1873, 1874, and 1875, and died from fever in February of the latter year after his return from the Zambesi. He was a fine specimen of the English traveller, devoted to the pursuit of natural history, and gifted with indomitable perseverance and pluck. His intention on going to South Africa was to penetrate into the interior beyond the Zambesi, and he seems to have regarded his Matabele journey as but a preliminary to more important explorations. The difficulties, however, of getting to the Victoria Falls were very great, and the traveller only succeeded in reaching this desired goal after four attempts and after excessive difficulties and delays. He seems to have won the friendship of Lobengula, and readily obtained the support of the latter for his expedition, but the inferior chiefs and the natives generally were very troublesome. The narrative shows that at the date of Frank Oates's expedition it was by no means easy to get to the Zambesi, especially when the traveller was bent upon collecting en route. He gave himself no rest in his pursuits; and the attack of fever which carried him off at the very time when one of his brothers was on the way to join him in the interior was doubtless accentuated and rendered fatal by his untiring devotion to work, which seems to have been one of his most pronounced characteristics. After the traveller's death, a friend, Mr. Gilchrist, went into the interior and brought down all Oates's effects and his natural history collections, and the story of the expedition was originally told by his I |