A High-school Museum

Having some months ago obtained permission f rom the board of education to begiu a collection of specimens in natural history for the benettt of the pablic schools of Lansing, to be kept in the high-school building, Superintendent Sanf ord opened correspondence with several parties who possessed opportunities for rendering assistance, with a view to starting said collection. Among others he wrote to Dr. George B. Stocking, forinerly pastor of the Universalist ehurch in this city, now of Dubuque, Iowa, the center of the great lead district of Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. Dr. Stocking received the request with delight, and promptly began to collect a small mineral cabinet The doctor's mind had a scientiBc side to it, and he has found great pleasure and satisfaction in gathering together his specimens, as time and duty have offered opportunity, at times rambling over the bluffs which skirt the Mississippi river back of Dubuque, at other times diving deep into the earth by way of both mine and cave. On his recent visit to Lansing he presented his collection of minerals to the schools, it being the first received, although others are promised and peeted. This collection eaibracee specimens of carbonate of lime, sulphuret of lead.sulphuret and carbonate oí zinc, calcit, silex, crystal quartz, shale, geodes, fossiliferoiis rocks, etc. There is nota mediocre specimei aiaong them; on the contrary, several are rare and merit special mention. We note as line a specimen of sulphuret of lead (galena) as we ever saw. It lies in blocks in disturbed and f orced positions. The doctor brought it from the mine with his own hand. There are also fine specimens of calcite, of silex, carbonate of lime in Trenton limestone, a handsome and rare fragment of Cincinnati shale, half a dozen beautiful geodes, mostly from the upper Mississippi showing quartz crystals, carbonate of lime, agate. carnelian, etc, fossiliferous roeks sbowing brachipods, trilobites, etc., and two stalactites, which the doctor plucked irom the chambers of an immense cave. The schools have promise of f urther contributions from him. Superintendent Sanford has assurance of iron and copper ores, and a cabinet of minerals from the Smithsonian instituto at Washington, through Senator Ferry. It is to be hoped this may be the beginning of a fine collectioh of specimens of uiinerals, birds, mammals, etc, whicli may be useful and become a pride of our schools. Any one having rare minerals, or other specimens of natural history, which he would be willing to contribute to the museum of the public schools at Lansing, would place the superintendent under obligations by conferring with him. - Lansing Republican. The other high schools of the state would do well to follow the excellent example set by Lansing.