ently out of their element, going to prove that at some remote period the present lake bed was simply a part of the sea bottom, which was thrown up by volcanic action with the supernatant water and its inhabitants. In the Escondido River, which enters the sea on the Mosquito Coast, Mr. Richmond found sharks as far up as De Rama, sixty-five miles from its mouth. During the dry season, a period of very brief duration, the water is brackish at high tide at this distance. Several sharks, from two to four feet long, were caught here while the water was perfectly fresh. It is not known, however, that these were of the same species as those inhabiting the lake. HUGH M. SMITH. U. S. Fish Commission, Washington, D. C. AMONG THE PUBLISHERS. MESSRS. D. APPLETON & Co.'s preliminary autumn announcements include the following books: "The Credentials of Science the Warrant of Faith," by Prof. Josiah Parsons Cooke; "Factors in American Civilization," a series of fourteen popular lectures before the Brooklyn Ethical Association; "The Personal Recollections of Werner von Siemens;" "The Development of Mind in the Child," by Professor W. Preyer, of the University of Jena, a new volume in the International Education Series. -Messrs. Longmans, Green & Co.'s announcements include: "Eskimo Life," by Fridtjof Nansen, author of "The First Crossing of Greenland;" translated by William Archer; "Madoc: An Essay on the Discovery of America by Madoc ap Owen Gwynedd in the Twelfth Century," by Thomas Stephens; edited by Llywarch Reynolds, B. A., Oxon; "The Ruined Cities of Mashonaland:" being a record of excavation and exploration in 1891, by J. Theodore Bent, F. S. A., F. R. G. S.; "Discovery of Lakes Rudolf and Stefanie:" account of Count Samuel Teleki's exploring and hunting expedition in Eastern Equatorial Africa in 1887 and 1888, by his companion, Lieut. Ludwig von Höhnet; translated by Nancy Bell (N. D'Anvers); "Heat," by Mark R. Wright; "Elementar Algebra," with numerous examples and exercises, by Robert Graham; "A Manual of Machine Drawing and Design," by David Allan Low; "Manual of Bacteriology," for practitioners and students, with especial reference to practical methods, by Dr. S. L. Schenk; "Diseases and Injuries of the Teeth," including pathology and treatment: a manual of practical dentistry for students and practitioners, by Morton Smale, M. R. C. S.; "Essentials of Chemical Physiology," by W. D. Halliburton, M. D., F. R. S.; "Statics and Dynamics," by C. Geldard, M. A.; "A Dictionary of Applied Chemistry," by T. E. Thorpe; "Life with TransSiberian Savages," by B. Douglas Howard; "Out of Doors in Tsarland:" a record of the seeings and doings of a wanderer in Russia, by Fred. J. Whishaw; "Primitive Music:" an inquiry into the origin and development of music, songs, instruments, dances and pantomimes of savage races, by Richard Wallaschek; "Where Three Empires Meet:" a narrative of recent travel in Kashmir, Western Tibet, Baltistan, Ladak, Gilgit and the adjoining countries," by E. F. Knight. Indigestion Horsford's Acid Phosphate Is the most effective and agreeable. remedy in existence for preventing indigestion, and relieving those diseases arising from a disordered stomach. EXCHANGES. [Free of charge to all, if of satisfactory character. Address N. D. C. Hodges, 874 Broadway, New York.] For a rare chance to get a first-class microscopical outfit write for full particulars to box 125, Sellersville, Bucks Co., Pa. Wants. FOR SALE. Volumes V. and VI. of the "Explor ations for a Railroad Route from the Mississippi River to the Pacific," 1857, half calf, in good condition; a large number of colored and uncolored plates of Mammals, Birds, Fish, etc.,, etc. On receipt of $7.00 will send to any ordinary point in the U. S., express paid. These volumes are now rare. Address Dr. Shufeldt, Takoma Park, Dist. of Columbia. For sale or exchange.-A fine collection of Lep For sale or exchange for works on entomostraca, Wolle's "Desmids of the U.S.," Hentz "Spiders of Vol. 2, The Amer. Entomologist, Vol. 1, Harris's the U. S.," The Amer. Entomologist & Botanist, "Insects Injurious to Vegetation,' colored plates, copy formerly owned by Townend Glover. C. Dwight Marsh, Ripon, Wis. "The Conchologist: a Journal of Malacology," Dr. W. W. Gardner, Spring-will exchange for any works or pamphlets on AmerVols. 1 and 2, with wood cuts and plates, value 12 f ican Slugs or Anatonry of American Fishes. W. E. field, Mass., says, "I value it as an excel-Collinge, Mason College, Birmingham, England. lent preventative of indigestion, and pleasant acidulated drink when proper[y diluted with water, and sweetened." a Descriptive pamphlet free on application to RUMFORD CHEMICAL WORKS, PROVIDENCE, R. I. Beware of Substitutes and Imitations. a literary and scientific man desires a similar position. Is an experienced and accurate stenographer and typewriter, thoroughly educated, and sufficiently familiar with literary work to write, independent of dictation. Has some knowledge of the Spanish language. Will go to any part of the United States. Address, Box 147, Ravenna, Ohio WANTED. A position as teacher of Biology, by an experienced teacher, a college graduate with four university post-graduate courses in the Sciences. Good endorsements, and eighteen years' experience. Address A. N. Somers, La Porte, Ind. Exchange-The undersigned is desirous of ob- For sale by all Druggists. Simpson, Beck's Medical Jurisprudence. Hand Wanted to exchange-Medical books, Obstetrical Transactions, London, Works of Sir J. Y. book for the Physiological Laboratory, by Burnton, Foster, Klein and Sanderson, Quain's Anatomy, and about fifty others. Catalogues given. Want Geological, Botanical and Microscopical books in exchange. Dr. A. M. Edwards, 11 Washington St. Newark, NJ. Navy Department. The Civil Service Commission will hold an examination on August 15 to fill a vacancy in the position of assistant (computer) in the Nautical Almanac office. The subjects will be letter-writing, penmanship, trigonometry, rudiments of analytical geometry and calculus, logarithms, theory and practice of computations, and astronomy. Each applicant must provide himself with a five-place logarithmic table. The examination will be held in Washington, and if applications are filed in season, arrangements may be made for examinations in the large cities. Blanks will be 'furnished upon application to the Commission at Washington. THE The Boston Medical and American Bell Telephone BOSTON. COMPANY. 125 MILK ST., BOSTON, MASS. This Company owns the Letters - Patent No. 186,787, granted to Alexander Graham Bell, January 30th, 1877, the scope of which has been defined by the Supreme Court of the United States in the following terms: The patent itself is for the mechanical structure of an electric telephone to be used to produce the electrical action on which the first patent rests. The third claim is for the use in such instruments of a diaphragm, made of a plate of iron or steel, or other material capable of inductive action; the fifth, of a permanent magnet constructed as described with a coil upon the end or ends nearest the plate; the sixth, of a sounding box as described; the seventh, of a speaking or hearing tube as described for conveying the sounds; and the eighth, of a permanent magnet and plate combined. The claim is not for these several things in and of themselves, but for an electric telephone in the construction of which these things or any of them are used." This Company also owns Letters-Patent No. 463, 569, granted to Emile Berliner, No A FIRST-CLASS WEEKLY MEDICAL NEWSPAPER. ESTABLISHED 1828. Terms of Subscription: In the United States, and to Canada and Mexico, $5 00 a year in ad vance. To Foreign Countries embraced in the Universal Postal Union, $1 56 a year additional. Single numbers, 15c. Ten consecutive numbers free by mail on receipt of $1.00 This JOURNAL circulates chiefly through the New England States, and is seen by the great majority of the profession in that important district. As a means of reaching physicians it is unequalled. It is under the editorial management of Dr. George R. Shattuck, assisted by a large staff of competent coadjutors. Subscriptions and advertisements received by the undersigned, to whom remittances by mail should be sent by money-order, draft or registered letter. DAMRELL & UPHAM, 283 Washington Street, Boston, Mass. BRENTANO'S, We make a specialty of technical works in all branches of science, and in all languages. Subscriptions taken for all American and foreign scientific periodicals. Our Paris and London branches enable us to import at shortest notice and lowest prices. REPORTS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES, MONOGRAPHS, GOVERNMENT REPORTS, etc. Correspondence solicited. All books reviewed in SCIENCE can be ordered from us. SEND FOR A SAMPLE COPY OF BOOK CHAT. A Mouthly Index of the Periodical Literature of the World. $1.00 per year. BRENTANO'S, Union Square, New York, Chicago, Washington, London, Paris. vember 17, 1891, for a combined TelegraphSTERBROOK'S and Telephone, and controls Letters-Patent No. 474,231, granted to Thomas A. Edison, May 3, 1892, for a Speaking Telegraph, which cover fundamental inventions and embrace all forms of microphone transmitters and of carbon telephones. Send 25 Cents For a 3-months' trial subscription to THE MOTHER'S EST STEEL PENS. OF SUPERIOR AND STANDARD QUALITY. Leading Nos.: 048, 14, 130, 135, 239, 333 Shall it be your house or a pound of copper? Entirely new departure in protecting buildings from lightning. One hundred feet of the Hodges Patent Lightning Dispeller (made under patents of N. D. C. Hodges, Editor of Science) will be sent, prepaid, to any ad8 courses. dress, on receipt of five dollars. For Sale by all Stationers. THE ESTERBROOK STEEL PEN CO. Works Camden, NJ 26 Jhu ས་ . New York. AMERICAN SCIENCE SERIES. BARKER'S PHYSICS. NURSERY GUIDE, WALKER'S POLITICAL ECONOMY. NEWCOMB & HOLDEN'S ASTRONOMY. Advanced course. 8 courses. 3 courses. 8 courses 2 courses 2 courses. 2 courses Health, Education, Dress, Pastimes. HENRY HOLT & CO., N.Y. Correspondence solicited. Agents wanted. AMERICAN LIGHTNING PROTECTION CO., 874 Broadway, New York City. "BUSY FOLKS' GYMNASIUM." on A few minutes' daily exercise our fascinating apparatus clears the brain, tones up the body, develops weak parts. Our cabinet contains chest weights, rowing-weights, lifting-weights, clubs and dumb bells, adjustable for old and young. It is the only complete exercising outfit in the world suitable for use in living rooms. All prices. You can order on approval. Chest Shoulders and Upper Back machine separate, $4.50 and up. good for Round Shoulders Educated agents wanted. PHYSI CAL CULTURE CHART, with illustrated directions for de veloping every part of the body healthfully, 50 cts. Sent for half price to those naming this paper. WHITNEY HOME GYMNASIUM CO., Box D., Rochester, N. Y. TO THE SCIENTIFIC PUBLIC. College Professors and others will confer a favor by corresponding with us in regard to apparatus for the equipment of Physical, Chemical, Biological, Electrical and Engineering Laboratories. We are the largest makers of general scientific apparatus in the United States, and devote attention exclusively to high grade instruments, such as meet the most exact requirements. Special bids will be submitted upon request, and interested parties should write for abridged catalogue No. 219, which will be mailed free if this "ad." is mentioned. QUEEN & CO., Incorporated, World's Fair Exhibits-Electricity and Manufactures Buildings. New Departments. GEO. L. ENGLISH & CO., Mineralogists, 181 Removed to 64 East 12th Street, New York NEW METHOD OF PROTECTING BUILDINGS FROM LIGHTNING. PROTECTION FROM LIGHTNING. What is the Problem? IN seeking a means of protection from lightning-discharges, we have in view two objects, the one the prevention of damage to buildings, and the other the prevention of injury to life. In order to destroy a building in whole or in part, it is necessary that work should be done; that is, as physicists express it, energy is required. Just before the lightning-discharge takes place, the energy capable of doing the damage which we seek to prevent exists in the column of air extending from the cloud to the earth in some form that makes it capable of appearing as what we call electricity. We will therefore call it electrical energy. What this electrical energy is, it is not necessary for us to consider in this place; but that it exists there can be no doubt, as it manifests itself in the destruction of buildings. The problem that we have to deal with, therefore, is the conversion of this energy into some other form, and the accomplishment of this in such a way as shall result in the least injury to property and life. Why Have the Old Rods Failed? When lightning-rods were first proposed, the science of energetics was entirely undeveloped; that is to say, in the middle of the last century scientific men had not come to recognize the fact that the different forms of energyheat, electricity, mechanical power, etc.- were convertible one into the other, and that each could produce just so much of each of the other forms, and no more. The doctrine of the conservation and correlation of energy was first clearly worked out in the early part of this century. There were, however, some facts known in regard to electricity a hundred and forty years ago; and among these were the attracting power of points for an electric spark, and the conducting power of metals. Lightning-rods were therefore introduced with the idea that the electricity existing in the lightning-discharge could be conveyed around the building which it was proposed to protect, and that the building would thus be saved. The question as to dissipation of the energy involved was entirely ignored, naturally; and from that time to this, in spite of the best endeavors of those Interested, lightning-rods constructed in accordance with Franklin's principle have not furnished satisfactory protection. The reason for this is apparent when it is considered that the olectrical energy existing in the atmosphere before the discharge, or, more exactly, in the column of dielectric from the cloud to the earth, above referred to, reaches its maximum value on the surface of the conductors that chance to be within the column of dielectric; so that the greatest display of energy will be on the surface of the very lightningrods that were meant to protect, and damage results, as so often proves to be the case. It will be understood, of course, that this display of energy on the surface of the old lightning-rods is aided by their being more or less insulated from the earth, but in any event the very existence of such a mass of metal as an old lightning-rod can only tend to produce a disastrous dissipation of electrical energy upon its surface,-"to draw the lightning," as it is so commonly put. Is there a Better Means of Protection? Having cleared our minds, therefore, of any idea of conducting electricity, and keeping clearly in view the fact that in providing protection against lightning we must furnish some means by which the electrical energy may be harmlessly dissipated, the question arises, "Can an improved form be given to the rod so that it shall & this dissipation ? " GERMANIA A monthly magazine for the study of the German language and literature, is highly recommended by college professors the student of German, and to interest him in his and the press as "the best effort yet made to assist pursuit." Its BEGINNERS' CORNER furnishes every year a complete and interesting course in German grammar. $2 a year. Single copies 20 cents. P. O. Box 151, Manchester, N. H. As the electrical energy involved manifests itself on the surface of conductors, the improved rod should be metallic; but, instead of making a large rod, suppose that we make it comparatively small in size, so that the total amount of metal running from the top of the house to some point a little below the foundations shall not exceed one pound. Suppose, again, that we introduce numerous insulating joints in this rod. We shall then have a rod that experlence shows will be readily destroyed-will be readily dissipated when a discharge takes place; and it will be evident, that, so far as the electrical energy is consumed in doing this, there will be the less to do other damage. The only point that remains to be proved as to the utility of such a rod is to show that the dissipation of such a conductor does not tend to injure other bodies in its immediate vicinity. On this point I can only say that I have found no case where such a conductor (for instance, a bell wire) has been dissipated, even if resting against a plastered wall, where there has been any material damage done to surrounding objects. Of course, it is readily understood that such an explosion cannot take place in a confined space without the rupture of the walls (the wire cannot be boarded over); but in every case that I have found recorded this dissipation takes place just as gunpowder burns when spread on a board. The objects against which the conductor rests may be stained, but they are not shattered, I would therefore make clear this distinction between the action of electrical energy when dissipated on the surface of a large conductor and when dissipated on the surface of a comparatively small or easily dissipated conductor. When dissipated on the surface of a large conductor, a conductor so strong as to resist the explosive effect,-damage results to objects around. When dissipated on the surface of a small conductor, the conductor goes, but the other objects around are saved A Typical Case of the Action of a Small Conductor. Franklin, in a letter to Collinson read before the London Royal Society, Dec. 18, 1755, describing the partial destruction by lightning of a church-tower at Newbury, Mass., wrote, "Near the bell was fixed an iron hammer to strike the hours; and from the tail of the hammer a wire went down through a small gimlet-hole in the floor that the bell stood upon, and through a second floor in like manner; then horizontally under and near the plastered ceiling of that second floor, till it came near a plastered wall; then down by the side of that wall to a clock, which stood about twenty feet below the bell. The wire was not bigger than a common knitting needle. The spire was split all to pieces by the lightning, and the parts flung in all directions over the square in which the church stood, so that nothing remained above the bell. The lightring passed between the hammer and the clock in the above-mentioned wire, without hurting either of the floors, or having any effect upon them (except making the gimlet-holes, through which the wire passed, a little bigger), and without hurting the plastered wall, or any part of the building, so far as the aforesaid wire and the pendulum-wire of the clock extended; which latter wire was about the thickness of a goose-quill. From the end of the pendulum, down quite to the ground, the building was exceedingly rent and damage 1.... No part of the aforementioned long, small wire, between the clock and the hammer, could be found, except about two inches that hung to the tall of the hammer, and about as much that was fastened to the clock; the rest being exploded, and its particles dissipated in smoke and air, as gunpowder is by common fire, and had only left a black smutty track on the plastering, three or four inches broad, darkest in the middle, and fainter towards the edges, all along the ceiling, under which it passed, and down the wall." One hundred feet of the Hodges Patent Lightning Dispeller (made under patents of N. D. C. Hodges, Editor of Science) will be mailed, postpald, to any address, on receipt of five dollars ($5). Correspondence solicited. Agents wanted. AMERICAN LIGHTNING PROTECTION CO., 874 Broadway, New York Citv. Probably you take THE Electrical Engineer. Most people interested in Electricity do. If you do not, now is a good time to begin. It is published every Wednesday. Subscription, $3.00 per year. HANDY BOOKS. PRACTICAL ELECTRICS, a universal handy book A SYSTEM OF EASY LETTERING by Howard SPON & CHAMBERLAIN, Mention this paper. 12 Cortlandt St., N. Y. Easily Taken Up Cod Liver Oil as 't appears in Scott's Pennsylvania Bedford Springs Mineral Water much fat-food be For Liver, Kidney and B dder Troubles. For Dyspepsia, Rheumatism and Gout. It has been used medicinally and prescribed by You can try it three months for fifty half-hour before each meal. cents. Case One Dozen Half-Gallon Bottles, $4.50. We What do you want? Let us know. assimilated with- Scott's Emulsion of Cod Liver Oil with Hypophos- Prepared by Scott & Bowne, N. Y. All druggists. DELSARTE SYSTEM OF ORATORY. You Ought A Book of over 600 pages of great value to all Delsartians, teachers of elocution, public speakers, singers, actors, sculptors, painters, psychologists, theologians, scholars in any department of science, art and thought. Price, $2.50, postpaid. EDGAR S. WERNER, Publisher, 108 East 16th Street, New York. Builder. 1893. Published Monthly. A handsomely illustrated mechanical journal, edited by DR. WILLIAM H. WAHL cover, filled with useful information on all subjects For of a practical nature. Specimen copy free. Agents wanted everywhere. Address Every number consists of 48 large quarto pages and sale by all newsdealers. HENRI CERARD, P. O. Box 1001. 83 Nassau St., N. Y. ing is not injured to the extent THE MODERN MALADY; or, Suf ferers from Nerves.' An introduction to public consideration, dition of ill-health which is increasingly explained (for many of these see to The Popular Science News and Only one dollar till July, 1894. A scientific newspaper for unscientific readers. LIGHT, HEAT AND POWER. PUBLISHED MONTHLY AT PHILADELPHIA, Subscription, $3.00 per year. Littell's Living Age, THE ONLY WEEKLY ECLECTIC. THE ABLEST LIVING WRITERS "Only the best has ever filled its pages; the "Considering its size, it is the cheapest of "It is one of the few periodicals which seem "The fields of fiction, biography, travel, sci- "To read it is itself an education in the course of modern thought and literature."- Buffalo Commercial Advertiser. Published WEEKLY at $8.00 a year, free of Club Rates. -For $10.15 THE LIVING Rates for clubbing THE LIVING AGE with other Sample copies of THE LIVING AGE, 15 cents each. Address, 874 Broadway, New York. Littell & Co., 31 Bedford St., Boston, Mass, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 29, 1893. THE MUTUAL RELATIONS OF SCIENCE AND STOCK BREEDING.* BY WM. H. BREWER, NEW HAVEN, CONN. THE production of crops and the production of animals are the two great branches of agriculture. The application of science to the production of crops has been more conspicuously before the public than to the production of animals, and agricultural science has devoted most attention to this branch of production. There could be no comprehensive science of agriculture until there was a science of chemistry, and the modern revolution in the art and practice of agriculture has come about as the science of chemistry advanced and mechanical invention progressed. The application of scientific methods to the economic breeding of farm animals came much later and followed the publication of Darwin's "Origin of Species." Facts began to be systematically recorded for the construction of a science of breeding much earlier than that, but a collection of facts does not constitute a science, and breeding remained strictly an art until within the last few years. As an art breeding attained a high standard long ago as respects the production of some fine examples of particu lar breeds. But except with Arabian horses, and possibly certain strains of game-fowls which were bred nearly pure, crossing was the universal method of improvement practised in all countries of European civilization. This led to wide variation and great uncertainty of product. The modern method of improvement within the breed, keeping the blood pure, has been the outcome of scientific study applied to the economic production of animals. This knowledge was of slow growth and the practice was applied to the breeding of English race horses before it was to useful farm animals. The English race horse, or "Thoroughbred," is of composite origin, but originally mostly of Oriental stock. The pedigrees of the winners began to be printed before the middle of the last century, and after a time an annual list of the winning sires was published. It came to be recognized that the winners were, as a rule, of the purest blood, rather than crosses, and this led to improvement by selection within the breed itself rather than by crossing. Then pedigrees were gathered and collated and the first volume of the "Stud Book was published in 1791. This gave the data necessary for a study of the ancestry of any given animal of that breed, but the method was not extended to the breeding of the other useful farm animals until long after, and more than thirty years elapsed before any other comprehensive registry of pedigrees was printed for public use. The "Shorthorn Herd Book" was published in 1822. The forerunner of breeding by pedigree as now practised was breeding in-and-in, which came into use for farm animals the last quarter of the last century. This *Synopsis of Address by Wm. H. Brewer, Vice President of Section I., American Association for the Advancement of Science, at Madison, Wisconsin, Aug. 17, 1893. was the opposite extreme of the wide crossing, so widely practised, and Robert Bakewell was its greatest promotor. Beginning with a very few carefully selected animals, he grew his flocks and herds from them, breeding between the nearest of kin and thus restricting the ancestry as to numbers, but increasing enormously the potentiality and hereditary influence of certain superior animals. He practised with great skill and selected his breeding animals with rare sagacity. He wrought great improvement, refining the carcass, improving the form, and extending the change to early maturity, better quality of flesh and general improvement in useful qualities of the animals. He wrote nothing. Breeding was with him a secret art, practised with great skill and success. This art was, however, taught to certain of his pupils, of which the brothers Colling became famous as breeders of shorthorns. But there was no science recognized because the general laws were not understood. Even Colling introduced a cross into his herd, and breeders are still, after nearly a century, discussing the influence of that "Galloway cross" on the breed. Most of the leading breeds of our farm animals existed after a fashion in the last century. The early history of nearly all of them is obscure, although much research has been expended in unraveling it. But, unless confined to some small island, as were the Jersey, Alderney and Guernsey cattle, the breeds were not kept pure, because the common method of improvement was by crossing with other blood. Uniformity could neither be secured nor maintained by such practice, and naturally all the economic results were highly uncertain. Some animals of great excellence were produced, but they were the accidental result of the uncontrolled and uncontrollable variation incident to the methods of breeding then followed. The twenty-five years during which Darwin was accumulating the material and digesting the facts for his "Origin of Species," were important ones in the history of the theory of breeding, and a number of pedigree records were begun publication. The doctrine of improvement by selection within the breed instead of crossing with other blood was becoming better and better known by the more successful breeders, and the economic results were becoming more and more certain. But scientific naturalists, absorbed in the description of natural species, ignored man's artificial productions. A breed may be, and often is, as artificial a production as is a picture or a statue. The breeder, like the sculptor, must have his ideal towards which he is working, the greater his genius the nearer his creations come to reaching his ideal. The earlier naturalists, like Buffon and Cuvier, had studied and written about domestic animals as a part of nature, but their successors came to consider them artistic rather than natural productions, and to look upon these "artificial monstrosities" with a contempt not now appreciated by the younger generation of naturalists. But the difficulties of the old system were well nigh crushing the life out of natural history, and the time was ripe for a new theory on the origin and nature of species. |