Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-27
SCIENCE NOTES.

The United States bureau of science
of the Philippines, in its annual report,
published at Manila, gives some idea
of the mineral resources now being de-
yeloped in our insular possessions in
the far east.
The main product up to the present has
been gold. the output of which for the
past fiscal year is valued at about
$4,000: an increase of IA per cent
over that of 1905. in which year the
output was about three times that of
the previous year. Even more impor-
tant from the viewpoint of general in
dustrial development and civilization is
the increase in the production Of coal;
the total quantity mined in 1909 was 30
go tons, all increase of 100 per cent over
the previous year. and more than seven
times as great as the production in 1907.
The entire production now comes from
two mines on the Island of Batan, one
at the extreme east and the other at the
extreme west of the island The seams
now worked are from :; feet inches
to feet 8 inches in thickness. The
coal appears to be of Tertiary age; it
is classed as subbitumnous, is low in
ash, and has given satisfactory results
in' raising steam.
From the scientific point of view, the
chief interest OF the report centers in a
very brief sketch Of the geology and
geological history of the Philippine Is
lands.
The surgeon general of the United
States Army announces that the first of the
preliminary examinations for the ap-
po!ntments of first lieutenants in the
Army Medical Corps for the year 1911
will be held January IL, 1911,
essential requirements to obtaining an
invitation are that the applicant shall
be citizen of the United States, shall
be between twenty-five and thirty-two
years old, graduate of a medical school
legally authorized to confer the degree
of doctor of medicine. and shall be of
good moral character. and shall have had
at least one year. hospital training or its
equivalent in practice and after gradu-
alton. In order to perfect all necessary
arrangements for the examination, ap-
plications must be complete and in pos
session of the adtutant general by jan
uary 3. 1911.
There are at present seventy-six va
cancies in the Medical Corps of the army.
DIR. r. Broom. an authority on Permian
vertebrates, who is making q collection
in southern Africa for the American
announced the discovery Of a fossil skele-
ton in South Africa. known as the
Delphinognathus. a large specialized ex-
| tinct reptile, which is said to be related
| to the group of theriodonts. These latter
| forms are believed to mark the borderland
| between reptiles and mammals.
A number Of cases containing the speci-
mems collected by Walter Granger of the
department OF vertebrate paleontology.
| who made an expedition to the Big Horn
| valley Of Wyoming, will soon be placed
| on exhibition. One of Mr.. Changers dis
/ coyeries which has attracted general
| scientific interest Is complete skele-
| ton OF a small four-toed species of the
| ancestral horse. When mounted this speci,
men will illustrate evolutionary history
| farther into the past than any skeletons
| previously obtained. and, when fully ex-
| posed, Is likely to be found nearly identI-
| cal to the five-toed ancestor Of all horses
| The Broom fossil discovery Is con
sidered, 1t is said. to be Of great i'm