We have an innate and hereditary hatred of all of the order opJiidian, and we much doubted the expediency of receiving Mr. Webb's reptile into our office, but having seen the animal and found it was no " snaik" whose head was to be crushed, but an industrious little device calculated to save head-wear, we welcomed it cordially. Its appearance is similar to the accompanying engraving, the implement, however, being larger, measuring about six and three-quarter inches long by about five inches across the widest place. The form is seen in the engraving. A large disk, A, and a small one, B, both revolving, and both graduated around the circumference and marked with figures in two concentric circles, are seated in a case and and partially covered with a metallic plate, leaving only the inner circle of figures exposed, except at a small opening between the two disks, where one set of figures, on the outer circle of each, is seen through the slot in the plate. The plate around the larger disk is marked from 0 to 99 to correspond with similar numbers on the disk's concentric circles. The smaller disk has 50 numbers, from 0 to 50, with a corresponding segment of numbers (units) from 0 to 9 ranging from the pening in the plate or cover back around a portion of the smaller circle. The larger di3k has on its under side a ratchet with a single tooth and the smaller one a ratchet of fifty teeth. A connection is made between the two by a spring pawl so that one entire revolution of the large disk will move the small one one-fiftieth of its circumference. The operation may be comprehended by the above description of the parts. The inventor believes that it is a great aid to accountants, substituting a merely mechanical process for mental or brain labor. Certainly if his manipulation of the device, and the opinions of those who have given it a trial are to be considered, the implement should be estimated as % valuable adjunct to the means of summing up wearisome columns of figures. It may be iet in flush with the surface of a desk so that the accountant, or clerk, may always have it at his elbow, working it with one hand while keeping his place in the columns of figures with the others. It is neat, handy, and presentable, but although iitfUl addumbers. rapidly, it i . is doubtful if it will add to a man's fortune or to his family. With this drawback we can indorse the adder. Orders for the implement or for explanatory circulars should be addressed to the patentee, C. H. Webb, 571 Broadway, New York city. Geological Survey of Onio. The Cleveland Herald says: " A number of years since a partial geological survey of the State was made. A mistaken economy on the part of the State terminated the work when but a small part had been completed, but that which had been done has proved an incalculable benefit in revealing a portion of the mineral wealth of the State, and enabling mining operations to be carried on intelligently. " Every year has shown the folly of the legislature in stopping the appropriations before the survey was completed ; and the feeling in favor of the resumption of the work has been yearly growing stronger. The increasing demand for coal, the tendency to 3eek out new sources of supply ,and the reports from j time to time of mineral discoveries in various parts of the State, combine to render desirable a complete survey that shall map out the geological structure of the State and enable projectors of mining enterprise to work intelligently and not sink pits at hap-hazard, or with no better guide than a ' divining rod/ or the revelations of a spiritualistic medium. " Mr. Lee, of Delaware county,will introduce into the House of Representatives a bill to provide for a thorough geological survey of the State. " The former survey was made by Colonel Charles Whittlesy, Colonel J. W. Foster, Professor J. P. Kirtland, Dr. C. Briggs, Professor W. W. Mather, Professor John Locke, and Dr. S. P. Hildreth. The last three named of the above are dead." fflarbor Defenses. We learn that the joint resolution which passed the Senate last July has been passed in the House, authorizing the General of the Army, and the Admiral or Vice Admiral of the Navy, to inquire into the utility and practicability of the Ryan-Hitchcock mode of marine fortifications, directing them to report the result of their investigations at the next session of Congress. The method of marine defense here referred to, is known as Ryan's revolving iron turret fort, to be used for monitors and for harbor defense. It was illustrated and described in No. 26, Vol. XIX Scientific American. A board, to be composed partly of army and partly of navy officers, will soon be appointed, with instructions to proceed to some suitable point where the value of the invention can be fairly and thoroughly tested. The germination of seeds can be watched, at every stage of its progress, by laying the eeds between moist towels, and laying them between plates. The towels can be lifted without damage to the tender sprouts.