VI. ARCHITECTURE, ART, ETC.--The New Parliament Building, Berlin. 4 figures.--Thiersch's design.--Portrait, Prof. Thiersch. --Wallot's design.--Portrait of M.P. Wallot. VII. ASTRONOMY, ETC--On Determining the Sun's Distance by a New Method.--By T.S.H. EYTINGE. Professor Haeckel on Darwin. * * * * * THE NEW PARLIAMENT BUILDING, BERLIN. In the accompanying engravings are represented the two prize designs for the new Capitol or Parliament Building at Berlin, of which one is by Prof. Friedrich Thiersch, of Munich, and the other by Mr. Paul Wallot, of Frankfurt a. M., the portraits of which gentlemen are also shown. The jury has decided that Mr. Wallot's design shall be executed. The building is to be erected on the Pariser Platz, near the Brandenburger Thor, in Berlin. Mr. Wallot's design will have to be somewhat changed before it can be carried out, for he has arranged the main entrance in the side of the building, and that has not satisfied the jury, as they wish to have the entrance of the Capitol more imposing. The building is provided with four corner pavilions and with a large, highly ornamented, square dome, below which the Reichsrath Chamber, or Hall of Representatives, is located. However, the most important feature of the entire design is the ground plan, which is superior to all others entered for competition. Prof Thiersch's design also has four corner pavilions, with a large circular central dome and four smaller cupolas surrounding it. The front of the building is very imposing, and is highly ornamented with statuary. An emperor's crown surmounts the central dome. [Illustration: THIERSCH'S DESIGN FOR THE NEW PARLIAMENT BUILDING. BERLIN] [Illustration: PROFESSOR FRIEDRICH THIERSCH.] [Illustration: MR. P. WALLOT'S DESIGN FOR THE NEW PARLIAMENT BUILDING, BERLIN] [Illustration: PAUL WALLOT.] * * * * * THE BRITISH SANITARY CONGRESS. ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT GALTON. The Congress of the Sanitary Institute of Great Britain was opened in Newcastle on September 26. The inaugural public meeting was held in the Town Hall. Prof. De Chaumont presided, in the place of the ex-President, Lord Fortescue, and introduced Captain Galton, the new President.