s lens, which is forty inches in
diameter, and which was completed only a few months before Mr. Clark's
death.

This firm did a great deal to further astronomical research. Not only
did they manufacture such perfect instruments that the possibilities of
observing the stars were greatly increased, but they were close students
of the science themselves. Mr. Alvan G. Clark, in particular, made
several important discoveries, having found no less than fourteen new
stars.

* * * * *

We told you about the _Holland_, the new submarine boat which has just
been launched at Elizabeth-port.

It will interest you to know that she has had a partial trial, which has
proved very satisfactory.

While she was still at the wharf an attempt was made to submerge her. On
the turning of the lever she sank, inch by inch, until only her tower
was out of water.

A day or two after she was taken for a spin down Staten Island Sound.

She attracted a good deal of attention among the seamen, who looked
rather askance at the strange cigar-shaped craft that shot through the
water.

From all accounts it would appear that her crew do not regard her with
very much favor.

It is said that the swish of the waters against her sides can be heard
very distinctly in the engine-room, and that the crew feel somewhat
nervous about her seaworthiness.

Several of these fish-like boats are being made just now. One has just
been completed in Wisconsin, in which it is hoped to explore the bottom
of Lakes Michigan and Huron.

Like the _Holland_, this boat can move on the surface of the water or
dive beneath it at will. But this vessel is arranged with a view to
remaining under water for a whole day without causing any inconvenience
to the inmates.

This is not the only kind of curious vessel that has been built lately.

A ship has been devised, and is said to be actually building in Toronto,
Canada, which is intended to roll across the Atlantic Ocean.

The description of this boat says that it looks exactly like a long
gas-pipe. It has neither masts nor funnels, but is made of two
cylinders, one inside the other.

The outer case revolves, and is fitted with paddles to propel the vessel
through the water. It is claimed that by this means a very high rate of
speed can be secured.

The inner cylinder is so arranged that it remains stationary, and in
this are the cabins, staterooms, and engine-rooms. Both cylinders have