CH   CH                  CH   CH_{2}
/  \ /  \                /  \ /  \
(CH_{3}O)C    C    CH    (CH_{3}O)C    C    CH_{2}
|    |    |              |    |    |
HC    C    CH            HC    C    CH_{2}
\  / \  /                \  / \  /
CH   N                   CH   NH

Paraquinanisol              Thalline
C_{9}H_{6}.CH_{3}.NO.      C_{9}H_{10}.CH_{3}.NO.

It is evident from the difficulties which have been encountered in this department of chemistry, and more especially from the costly nature of the work, that it will be many years before it will influence the manufacture of alkaloids from the drugs which yield them.  Ladenburg has synthetized coniine, but he has not yet ventured to assert that his product will replace the natural alkaloid.—­Chem. and Druggist.

* * * * *

The Southern California Advocate reports another magnificent donation of lands to the University of Southern California by Mr. D. Freeman, the owner of the Centinella ranch near Los Angeles—­six hundred thousand dollars in all given to found a school of applied sciences, $100,000 for building and apparatus and $500,000 for endowment.  The buildings will be in the vicinity of Inglewood, the new and beautiful town on the Ballona branch of the California Central.

* * * * *

A GROUP OF HAMPSHIRE DOWNS.

[Illustration]

The Hampshire Down breed of sheep originated about 80 years ago by a cross of South Downs on the horned, white-faced sheep which had for ages been native of the open, untilled, hilly stretch of land known as the Hampshire Downs, in the county of that name bordering on the English Channel, in the South of England.  From time immemorial the South Downs had dark brown or black legs, matured early, produced the best of mutton and a fine quality of medium wool.  The original Hampshire was larger, coarser, but hardier, slower to mature, with inferior flesh, and a longer but coarser wool.  The South Down has always been remarkable for its power of transmitting its special characteristics to its progeny by other kinds of sheep, and hence it soon impressed its own characteristics on its progeny by the Hampshire.  The horns of the original breed have disappeared; the face and legs have become dark, the frame has become more compact, the bones smaller, the back broader and straighter, the legs shorter, and the flesh and wool of better quality, while the superior hardiness and greater size, as well as the large head and Roman nose of the old breed, still remain.  The Hampshires of to-day mature early and fatten readily.  They clip from six to seven pounds of wool, suitable for combing, which is longer than South Down wool, but less fine.  The mutton has a desirable proportion of fat and lean, and is juicy and fine flavored.  The lambs are of large size and are usually dropped early and fed