Some interesting figures concerning the sums paid to the late Rev. J.G. Wood, the naturalist, for his popular books, are given by Mr. Newton Crosland in his autobiography, 'Rambles Round My Life,' recently issued. "If I recollect rightly," says Mr. Crosland, "he got £30 for each of his books 'The Common Objects of the Country' and 'The Common Objects of the Seashore.'" Mr. Crosland remonstrated with Mr. Wood on his humble opinion of himself, so when he undertook his great publication, the 'Natural History,' in three volumes, he asked £2000 for the work, and he got it.
The International Congress of Zoology meets on Aug. 23rd at Cambridge. The following executive Committee has been formed:—
President: The Right Hon. Sir John Lubbock. Vice-Presidents: The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, Dr. W.T. Blanford, Sir W.H. Flower, The President of the Linnean Society (Dr. A. Günther), Prof. E. Ray Lankester, Prof. A. Newton, Dr. P.L. Sclater, The President of the Entomological Society (Mr. R. Trimen), Sir William Turner, and Lord Walsingham. Treasurers: Prof. S.J. Hickson and Dr. P.L. Sclater. Secretaries: Prof. F. Jeffrey Bell, Mr. G.C. Bourne, and Mr. A. Sedgwick. Ordinary Members: Dr. Gadow, Mr. F.D. Godman, Lieut.-Col. Godwin-Austen, Sir George F. Hampson, Mr. S.F. Harmer, Prof. Howes, the Hon. W. Rothschild, Mr. H. Saunders, Prof. Seeley, Dr. D. Sharp, Mr. A.E. Shipley, Prof. C. Stewart, and Dr. H. Woodward.
Mr. Louis Becke, in the 'Pall Mall Gazette,' has recently contributed some particulars of vessels attacked by infuriated Whales: —
"Only three years ago the writer saw in Sydney Harbour the barquentine 'Handa Isle,' which, on the passage from New Zealand, had been so attacked. She was a fine vessel of three hundred tons, and was sailing over a smooth sea with a light breeze when two large Sperm Whales were sighted. They were both travelling fast, and, suddenly altering their course, made direct for the ship. Then one sounded, but the other continued his furious way, and deliberately charged the barquentine. He struck her with terrific force just abaft the mainmast and below the waterline. Fortunately the barquentine was laden with a cargo of timber, otherwise she would have foundered instantly. The blow was fatal to the cetacean, for in a few minutes the water around the ship was seen to be crimson with blood, and presently the mighty creature rose to the surface again, beat the ensanguined water feebly with his monstrous tail, and then slowly sank.
"Some of these onslaughts upon ships were doubtless involuntary; as
