parent animal may produce an offspring somewhat unlike itself, and that consequently there is room to suppose that species may undergo a gradual develop ment. In Chemistry, Dr. Miller has published another volume of his "Elements," and Mr. Galloway has completed his large elementary work under the name of "Second Step." Professor Huxley has issued the first volume of a work entitled "Elements of Comparative Anatomy," containing a general exposition of the principles of that science, a detailed description of the cranium of men and other mammalia, and a sketch of the vertebral theory. Dr. Bowerbank's "British Sponges" is an elaborate work on all the species found in the British islands. The works on Natural History have been more numerous this year than those on almost any other branch of science. Several controversies are going on between the learned on various scientific subjects. Doubts are plentiful, while positive and brilliant discoveries are few. But in every branch of knowledge there are abundant honest and able workers who are gradually feeling their way; and it may fairly be stated that scientific investigation, notwithstanding the absence of any very startling triumphs, is in as hopeful a state of general progress as can be reasonably desired. Ал PART II. CHRONICLE OF REMARKABLE OCCURRENCES IN 1864. JANUARY. 1. OPENING OF THE NEW SOUTHWARK STREET.-This day the Metropolitan Board of Works delivered over to public use their first new street, extending from High-street, Southwark (within 200 yards of London-bridge), to the Blackfriars-road, coming out exactly opposite the entrance to Stamford-street. It thus gives a direct and amply wide communication along Stamford-street and the York-road between London and Westminster bridges. When the southern embankment of the Thames and its roadway is complete, there will be one spacious unbroken road from Londonbridge to Vauxhall. The actual length of the new street is 3255ft., and its width is 70ft. throughout, from end to end, or 10ft. wider than New Cannon-street. The novel feature in the construction of this roadway is the formation of a subway in the centre of the road. This subway is an arched passage, 12ft. wide and nearly 7ft. high, built of the most solid and probably the most carefully finished brickwork that has been seen for years. From this subway, side passages, each 4ft. high by 3ft. wide, lead to the cellars, which are already built beneath the footwalks, in anticipation of the houses which are to follow. In this subway the gas, water mains, and telegraph wires are to be laid, the side passages conveying the two former necessaries direct into the cellars, and thence into the houses themselves. The object of this subway is, to do away with the nuisances caused by the stoppage of thoroughfares when a careless workman happens to make a bad joint in a gas or water main, or whenever an accident happens to either, and the street has to be stopped, and the pavement to be taken up to get at them. This subway is wide and high enough to allow of any repairs of this kind being carried on with the A |