RICHARHS, Robert Hallowell, metallurgist, born in Gardiner, Maine, 26 August, 1844. He was graduated at Massachusetts institute of technology in 1868, was an assistant there until 1871, when he was chosen to the chair of mineralogy, and now holds the professorship of mining and metallurgy. His introduction of laboratory methods into the teaching of mining and metallurgy has been the great work of his life. Professor Richards has invented a jet aspirator for chemical and physical laboratories (1874); and an ore-separator for the Lake Superior copper-mills (1883). During 1886 he was president of the American institute of mining engineers, and he is a member of various other scientific societies. He has devoted his attention largely to improved metallurgical processes, especially in copper, on which he is an accepted authority. His papers on that subject have been contributed to the "Transactions of the American Institute of Mining Engineers," but his earlier publications tended more to chemistry and mineralogy and appeared in the " American Journal of Science."--His wife, Ellen Henrietta, chemist, born in Dunstable, Massachusetts, 3 December, 1842, was graduated at Vassar in 1870, and at Massachusetts institute of technology in 1873. She continued at the institute as resident graduate, and married Professor Richards in 1875. In 1878 she was made instructor in chemistry and mineralogy in the Woman's laboratory of the institute, and in 1885 she became instructor in sanitary chemistry. Mrs. Richards has obtained deserved recognition as a chemist by her original investigations in that science. Her special work has been that of education, and her influence in developing scientific studies among women has been large. The application of chemical principles and knowledge to the better conduction of the home is one of her chosen fields, and in teaching this subject to women she is probably the pioneer in this country. Mrs. Richards was the first of her sex to be elected a member of the American institute of mining engineers, and she is a member of several other scientific bodies. In addition to various chemical papers, she has published " Chemistry of Cooking and Cleaning" (Boston, 1882); "Food Materials and their Adulterations" (1885);" First Lessons in Minerals" (1885) : and with Marion Talbot edited "Home Sanitation " (1887).