The late experiments in canal steamboats bid fair to be a complete success. The Baxter steamers were not sufficiently remunerative to continue the building of that kind of boat. They do not carry a sufficient load, owing to their build, and that is made necessary by the form and arrangement of the machinery and propelling power, the propeller being that form used by the tug in Buffalo. The new style, which bids to pay handsomely, is as full a bow and stern as the ordinary first-class canal boat. The propelling power is radically different from the tug propeller. The wheel is eight feet in diameter and placed close to the stern; the boiler is upright, with a single engine, very compact machinery, taking up no more room than the stable in many boats, and enabling the boat to carry 7,500 bushels of corn and coal for the trip. With this cargo they run from Buffalo to New York in seven days on five and a half gross tons of coal, saving river and harbor towing. One returned from New York to Buffalo in one hour less than seven days, bringing one hundred and thirty tons of freight. The outlook now promises to supersede mule and horse towing. The Belgian system of cable towing will take that large number of boats now relying on the mule, and deliver them promptly as consigned and in much less time and cost than can be done by the mule. Both systems are necessary for rapid movement on the canal, and to cheapen the transfer from the West to the seaboard. Steam is sure to supersede animal power on the canal, as everywhere else. The canal steamboats are at last so far perfected as to insure a handsome profit in running them, and a large number will soon be at work on the canal. Two are to be constructed in Lockport as speedily as possible by one of our most enterprising boat builders, and the machinery is contracted for, thus opening up a new industry for our numerous and worthy mechanics.--_Lockport_ (_N. Y._) _Journal_. * * * * * ASTRONOMICAL NOTES. OBSERVATORY OF VASSAR COLLEGE. The computations in the following notes are by students of Vassar College. Although merely approximate, they are sufficiently accurate to enable the ordinary observer to find the planets. M. M. POSITIONS OF PLANETS FOR JULY, 1880. MERCURY. On July 1 Mercury sets a few minutes after 9 in the evening. Mercury can be readily found, early in July, a few degrees south of the point of sunset; the planet moves rapidly southward, but can be followed, and may be seen as late as the 20th. On July 18 Mercury has nearly the declination of Regulus. VENUS. Venus keeps nearly the path of the sun, setting after the sun late in July, but so nearly with it that the planet is not likely to be seen. MARS. Mars has moved from its position nearly in line with Castor and Pollux toward Leo. It sets on July 1 at 9h. 44m. P.M. On the 31st Mars sets at 8h. 32m.