Volume 17 (1868) (428 pages)

84 The Mining and Scientific Press. California Academy of Sciences. REGULAR MEETING. Monway Eveniye, Aug. 3d, 1868. President Blake in the Chair. Messrs. A. L. Nolf, A. Warren and L, L. Treadwell, were halloted for, and declared duly elected. APPOINTMENT OF AN ASSISTANT. The President stated that the Council had determined to employ some one to keep the accounts in order, and look after the general husiness of the Society, which was now much in arrears, as the various Secretaries had no time to attend to it. The assistant would have a commission on his collections, and it was proposed to suhscrihe among themselves as much as would make the matter worth his while. The Council had already suhscrihed some twenty-five dollars per month toward this end, and tbe memhers would he asked to help. LECTURE BY DR. GIBBONS. Dr. Henry Gihbons was called upon by the President to deliver a lecture on Microscopic Parasites. The obscurity which attended these creatures furnished many plausihle arguments for the theory of spontaneous generation. Itused to he supposed that harnacles were formed from the froth of the sea, and that ducks and geese came from harnacles, by something like a Darwinian theory of selection. He alluded to the well known borse-hair worm, which many supposed to be the result of the vitalization of borse-hairs hy placing them in running water. Tbese worms had been found in the hodies of live grasshoppers, who seemed to enjoy life just 2s well as though they had heen free from the parasites. The lecturer spoke of a worm which was even now appearing in the States. This animal pierced the limbs of fruit trees, and then laid its eggs. The limbs afterwards witbered and broke off, falling to the ground. These insects appeared only once in 17 years, He remembered them first in 1817, next in 1834, then in 1851, and now again in 1868. He bad no doubt of the correctness of this theory, though what became of the insects during tbe seventeen years he was nnahle to say. He only adduced this a3 an instance of the difficulty whicb naturalists encountered in tracing the origin and the cause of many of these parasites. He then gave au interesting account, illustrated hy diagrams, of the growth of the yeast plant, which is produced hy the simple multiplication of cells. Otber miuute plants, such as the alge, or mosses, were propagated hy spores, and others agaiu were propagated bya distiuct fructification. Animals also had different modes of propagation, One of tbese he described, as shown ina worm which was horn with certain rings or divisions round it, These rings'or divisions gradually deepened, until the auimal split into two or tbree, eacb of which segments sct up a life of its own, and continued to divide aud sub-divide until the smallest division, instead of breaking up, extended itself to the length of one inch, and proceerled to generate in tbe ordinary manner. The potato disease was propagated by a microscopic plant, the spores of which were so small as to be invisible to the naked eye, and thus it was quite possihle that the air mnight he quite full of them without their being perceptible. Mildew, bligbt and the smut of wheat arose in the same way, and the dry rot which affected timber was a fungoid growth. The ‘‘mother” of vinegar, as it was called, was a similar growth, and he had seen bread, brougbt over from Germany in emigrant ships, in which a vegetable growth had appeared which resemhled a mass of clotted blood, and caused the food to he called ‘‘hloody bread.” Some of the lower forms of vegctable life were apt to be mistaken for animals. Such were tbe cilia, orresemhlance of eyelashes, which filament, appended to cells, at times moved, and gave rise to the idea that it was part of ananimal, Such was the vulvox, which was thought to be an animal because it moved through the water. Recent microscopical investigations had led to the helief that tbe spermatozoa, until lately supposed to have animal life, were, really, only vegetable, fnrnished witb citia, whose motion led to the mistake. Vegetables were often formed in the intestines of animals, nor was the human animal exempt from theso entozoa, altbough he was freer from them in America than in the European countries. Htozoa seldom had entozoa within them, but they were fouud to contain vegetable parasites. Thorougb cooking killed entozoa, but they might survive partial cooking, and breedin tbe intestines. The lecturer then proceeded to show by illustrations how insects were afflicted with vegetahle parasites, In one instance a small heetle bad heen found to contain what, enlarged by the microscope, looked like a cactus some twelve feet long, to whicb a couple of good sized gooseherry hushes were growing. Other animals, eels, etc., carried about with them alternate nuisances, in the shape of vegetable and animal parasites, some of which preferred the interior and others the exterior of tbe animal, but showing a partiality for the region of the stomach at most times, The science of microscopic parasites had associated itself latterly with the study of medicine, it having heen found that some forty-six varieties of skin diseases were produced hy vegetahle growths. It had heen asserted by Salisbury that intermittent fevers were produced in this way; hut the lecturer donhted this, It had heen asserted also that malignant cholera was owing to a vegetable growth in the intestines, hut it was difficult to tell whether the vegetable growth was a cause oran effect. He helieved, bowever, that, as was generally the case with new discoveries, this was heing carried too far, and scientific men would prohahly eventnally settle down far within the mark aimed at hy Salishury. He gave aninteresting account of the tapeworm, whicb was really the development of a worm which could only be developed in the intestinal canals of certain animals. When the germ, which was taken in the food or drink, found its way tbrougb the intestinal canal, it frequently caused hydatids, themselves thought at one time to he living animals. Wheu tbe germ remaiued in the intestine, however, it developed into the true tape-worm, of which the hydatid was only an undeveloped cffect. Iu some parts of the world tape-worm was very prevalent, and was said to be extremely common in Norway. Dr. Kellogg observed that tbe wild rabbit of this country was much affected hy hytadids, and that he knew of several cases wherein persons attrihuted tape-worm to tbe eating of such food.—Times, Lares Lumps or Coau.—aA mass of coal weighing nearly three tons, was recently taken out of an English coal mine, (Wyndam Pit, Agmoro Valley). This lump was taken out for exhibition at the neigbboring Plymouth Fair. This was considered a very large lump of coal, and greatly admired and wondered at. Large as this lump was, however, an otber was soon afterwards raised from the same mine, by the side of which this was but a diminished specimen of a “black diamond.” The second lump could not be weighed by any appliance at hand, but was estimated to weigh over eleven fons. The labor and cost of getting ont this monster block was very great, and was personally supervised by a most experienced staff of miningengineers, Afterit wasloosened from its ‘‘ bed” it bad to he moved ahout 50 feetto reacb the bottom of the pit, up which it was hoisted with tbe greatest difficulty, Tbe operation of raising, hy aid of steam, borse and man power, occupied thirty-five hours of constant labor. Tbe hlock was carefully protected by clamps, and bound around with heavy iron tackle to prevent its falling into pieces. With all their precaution, however, it was badly cracked, though beld from falling apart by its iron bands. This is probably the largest piece of coal ever ‘moved in a single block. It was to be sent to tbe French Industrial Exhibition at Havre. Tis Perroteum YIELD oF THE UNITED Srares, although it bas slightly fallen off within the last two years, is hy no means materially on the decrease, notwithstanding the dying out of the late petroleum fever. The qnantity of refined petrolenm exported is also kept up. The exportfor the three years past has been as follows: In 1865, 755,456 barrels were sent ahroad; in 1866, 1,679,400; in 1867, 1,679,112. The production of 1867 was about 4,000,000 barrels; tbe production for the present year, according to the best authorities, will come fully up to 3,650,000, and may possihly reach the bigber figure of 1867. Visrrons at the Fair will uow bave an opportunity of getting spectacles of any kind they want and adapted to their eyes, at Muller's Spectacle Emporium, 205 Moutgomery street, near Bush. a California Inventions. If we were seeking for evidence to prove that any particular class of individuals was really an enlightened and thinking class, we would desire none better than a knowledge of the fact that they were inventors. Inventors are always thinkers, <A few, indeed, may accidentally stumble upon some new device, hut their inventions are generally of an unimportant character. New discoveries are made daily—some may benefit mankind; others fall to the ground without ever receivinga second notice, Of the latter kind, a great majority are the result of accidents, or are originated in the brain of some person whose sole aim is to raise a stake, hy making some one think tbat he bas something valnable, merely because he has apatent. But uothing is more true than the old adage, that ‘‘ necessity is the mother of inventiou.” In this State, our strong hold is on mining macbinery, devices for separating gold . from the rock as it is found in its natural state and saving it; and in this we excel. The canse is necessity. We found here mountains in whose bowels lay millions of dollars, as they were deposited hy the mysterious workings of Nature. To extractand save this it was necessary to have the proper machiuery and processes for working tbe ore. Our State, and the Pacific Coast generally, hecame the home of an intelligent and thinking people, and bebold the result—the mountains bave been leveled, tbe gold-hearing rocks have been brougbt to the surface, crushed, and the gold extracted by means of machinery mostly devised by our own people ; and to-day Californiais credited by miners in all parts of the world, as being the source of our hest gold-saving apparatus. Our State is also the home of the originators of several inventions of great value and of different natures. The steam plow and various new auchors of merit, are the result of California genius. All this proves that we are a thinking people, and that we have among us that power which has been the great motor of tbe American nation—INVENTION. — Govrernamnt Tires ro Mines.—It appears from recent intelligence from Washington, tbat the Commissioner of the General Laud Office has just finished and made ready for transmission to this State the first patent issued under the National Mining Act of July 26th, 1866. The patent covers avery valuable quicksilver claim in Monterey Couuty, township No. 18 south, range No. 11, east of Mount Diahlo meridian. It appears that applications under this law bave not heen acted upon as speedily as would be desirable, on account of the novelty involved iu the proceedings, and the want of experience in dealing with this class of applications. The Clear Creek claim was returned to California for correction. On tbe 11th of June last the papers complete were forwarded, and have reached the General Land Office, meeting all the requirements of the law. The patent just prepared grants 6,000 feet to the Clear Creek lode, with sufficient surface ground for tbe convenient working of the same ; and in point of mechanical execution, it is one of the most beautifully finished docnments ever issued from the Department. All other claims under the act will he patented as promptly as the applicants bring themsclves within the requirements of the statute, a matter that will be attended with less perplexity in the future than heretofore, on account of the experience that bas been acquired by the various officers whose action is needed in tbe preliminary stages of the proccedings. This branch of the land service is one of the greatest importance, extending its operatious over the surface of more than one thousand mineral localities, New Incorrorations.—Articles of incorporation have been recently filed in the County Clerk’s office in this city as follows: Zecu Pranororts Co.—Aug. 4th. Capital stock, $150,000 ; 1,500 shares, $100 each. Trustees: Jacob Zecb, Chas, Kohler and Edward F, Ohm. ; . Hall’s Patent Knife. ° The accompanying cnt represents Hall’s Patent Jacket Knife and Door Button. The dotted line shows the manner in which tbe tapering screw is {fastened on the back of the knife-handle, so as to permit of its opening and closing. When the screw is at right angles with the handle, the instrnment may be used as a hutton for fastening a door against hurglars ; for a cork screw ; for making holes for starting screws ; for forming a temporary hook*for hitching borses, and various other purposes. It adds hnt little to tbe weight and expense of an ordinary knife, while it enhances its usefulness. Patented July 23d, 1867. Dr, A. W. Hall, the inventor, No. 208 Broadway, N. Y., is mauufacturing the knife in this country, and we wish him success in patronizing American artisans. Diamoxp Maxrime.—Efforts to ohtain artificial diamonds will probably never cease until tbat much-prized jewel is as cheap as tbe most ordinary variety of precious stones. The latest effort which we have heard of in thatdirection, is tbat of a party who directs a stream of cblorine gas npon east iron kept in a state of fusion, The iron is sublimed in tbe form of perchloride, and the carbon is left behind, but not, we suspect, in the shape of adiamond. Carhon is always present iu cast iron, but nodonht uniformly in the graphitoidal form, and all the above experimenter can get for his trouble, will he a little black-lead. The nearest thing to an artificial diamond yet obtained, is in the form of crystallized carhon carried over hy a current of electricity j from a positive to 2 negative pole in the production of the electric light hy the use of charcoal points. A Live Paper.—The Reese River Reveille is one of our most welcome visitors. We never pick it up, bnt what we feel that we will be repaid tor our trouble before we lay it down, and we are seldom disappointed. Publisbed as it is, in the heart of one of the finest mining regions in the country, it devotes the most of its energies to giving its readers information concerning them, which will surely benefit the Reese River and surrounding country. Jivery person interested in the development of that portion of Nevada should take it. We value, and would not wish to be witbout it. Tue New York Post Orrice.—The gross amount of mail matter handled in the New York post-office in 1864, was ahout forty-one tons daily ; in 1867 it was ninety-five tons— an increase of 130 per cent, in three years! It now averages, in bulk, 200 wagon loads every day. The number of letters dispatched is ahout 250,000 per day—an increase of about 400 per cent, in ten years, We notice that a joh-printing office has heen opened bere hy the ladies’ on the co6perative plan, but the most popular and best patronized is the Woman’s Coéperative Uniou, No. 39 Second street, for making and mending shirts and otber nseful articles. Be Tse Mechanics’ Fair is thrown open today. A large number will be hcre from tbe country. We bope tbat no one will leave the city withont a visit to Woodward’s Gardeus. More can be seen there for twenty-five cents than anywbere on this continent. ae S. T.—1860—X.—The unprecedented and extraordinary demand for Plantation Bitters is evideutly owing to their being prepared with pure St. Croix Rum, Calisaya Bark, ete. Our druggists all complain that it is almost impossible to keep a snpply, and that their orders, owing to the great demand and limited supply, are but tardily executed. Be sure and get the gennine. *

84 The Mining and Scientific Press. California Academy of Sciences. REGULAR MEETING. Monway Eveniye, Aug. 3d, 1868. President Blake in the Chair. Messrs. A. L. Nolf, A. Warren and L, L. Treadwell, were halloted for, and declared duly elected. APPOINTMENT OF AN ASSISTANT. The President stated that the Council had determined to employ some one to keep the accounts in order, and look after the general husiness of the Society, which was now much in arrears, as the various Secretaries had no time to attend to it. The assistant would have a commission on his collections, and it was proposed to suhscrihe among themselves as much as would make the matter worth his while. The Council had already suhscrihed some twenty-five dollars per month toward this end, and tbe memhers would he asked to help. LECTURE BY DR. GIBBONS. Dr. Henry Gihbons was called upon by the President to deliver a lecture on Microscopic Parasites. The obscurity which attended these creatures furnished many plausihle arguments for the theory of spontaneous generation. Itused to he supposed that harnacles were formed from the froth of the sea, and that ducks and geese came from harnacles, by something like a Darwinian theory of selection. He alluded to the well known borse-hair worm, which many supposed to be the result of the vitalization of borse-hairs hy placing them in running water. Tbese worms had been found in the hodies of live grasshoppers, who seemed to enjoy life just 2s well as though they had heen free from the parasites. The lecturer spoke of a worm which was even now appearing in the States. This animal pierced the limbs of fruit trees, and then laid its eggs. The limbs afterwards witbered and broke off, falling to the ground. These insects appeared only once in 17 years, He remembered them first in 1817, next in 1834, then in 1851, and now again in 1868. He bad no doubt of the correctness of this theory, though what became of the insects during tbe seventeen years he was nnahle to say. He only adduced this a3 an instance of the difficulty whicb naturalists encountered in tracing the origin and the cause of many of these parasites. He then gave au interesting account, illustrated hy diagrams, of the growth of the yeast plant, which is produced hy the simple multiplication of cells. Otber miuute plants, such as the alge, or mosses, were propagated hy spores, and others agaiu were propagated bya distiuct fructification. Animals also had different modes of propagation, One of tbese he described, as shown ina worm which was horn with certain rings or divisions round it, These rings'or divisions gradually deepened, until the auimal split into two or tbree, eacb of which segments sct up a life of its own, and continued to divide aud sub-divide until the smallest division, instead of breaking up, extended itself to the length of one inch, and proceerled to generate in tbe ordinary manner. The potato disease was propagated by a microscopic plant, the spores of which were so small as to be invisible to the naked eye, and thus it was quite possihle that the air mnight he quite full of them without their being perceptible. Mildew, bligbt and the smut of wheat arose in the same way, and the dry rot which affected timber was a fungoid growth. The ‘‘mother” of vinegar, as it was called, was a similar growth, and he had seen bread, brougbt over from Germany in emigrant ships, in which a vegetable growth had appeared which resemhled a mass of clotted blood, and caused the food to he called ‘‘hloody bread.” Some of the lower forms of vegctable life were apt to be mistaken for animals. Such were tbe cilia, orresemhlance of eyelashes, which filament, appended to cells, at times moved, and gave rise to the idea that it was part of ananimal, Such was the vulvox, which was thought to be an animal because it moved through the water. Recent microscopical investigations had led to the helief that tbe spermatozoa, until lately supposed to have animal life, were, really, only vegetable, fnrnished witb citia, whose motion led to the mistake. Vegetables were often formed in the intestines of animals, nor was the human animal exempt from theso entozoa, altbough he was freer from them in America than in the European countries. Htozoa seldom had entozoa within them, but they were fouud to contain vegetable parasites. Thorougb cooking killed entozoa, but they might survive partial cooking, and breedin tbe intestines. The lecturer then proceeded to show by illustrations how insects were afflicted with vegetahle parasites, In one instance a small heetle bad heen found to contain what, enlarged by the microscope, looked like a cactus some twelve feet long, to whicb a couple of good sized gooseherry hushes were growing. Other animals, eels, etc., carried about with them alternate nuisances, in the shape of vegetable and animal parasites, some of which preferred the interior and others the exterior of tbe animal, but showing a partiality for the region of the stomach at most times, The science of microscopic parasites had associated itself latterly with the study of medicine, it having heen found that some forty-six varieties of skin diseases were produced hy vegetahle growths. It had heen asserted by Salisbury that intermittent fevers were produced in this way; hut the lecturer donhted this, It had heen asserted also that malignant cholera was owing to a vegetable growth in the intestines, hut it was difficult to tell whether the vegetable growth was a cause oran effect. He helieved, bowever, that, as was generally the case with new discoveries, this was heing carried too far, and scientific men would prohahly eventnally settle down far within the mark aimed at hy Salishury. He gave aninteresting account of the tapeworm, whicb was really the development of a worm which could only be developed in the intestinal canals of certain animals. When the germ, which was taken in the food or drink, found its way tbrougb the intestinal canal, it frequently caused hydatids, themselves thought at one time to he living animals. Wheu tbe germ remaiued in the intestine, however, it developed into the true tape-worm, of which the hydatid was only an undeveloped cffect. Iu some parts of the world tape-worm was very prevalent, and was said to be extremely common in Norway. Dr. Kellogg observed that tbe wild rabbit of this country was much affected hy hytadids, and that he knew of several cases wherein persons attrihuted tape-worm to tbe eating of such food.—Times, Lares Lumps or Coau.—aA mass of coal weighing nearly three tons, was recently taken out of an English coal mine, (Wyndam Pit, Agmoro Valley). This lump was taken out for exhibition at the neigbboring Plymouth Fair. This was considered a very large lump of coal, and greatly admired and wondered at. Large as this lump was, however, an otber was soon afterwards raised from the same mine, by the side of which this was but a diminished specimen of a “black diamond.” The second lump could not be weighed by any appliance at hand, but was estimated to weigh over eleven fons. The labor and cost of getting ont this monster block was very great, and was personally supervised by a most experienced staff of miningengineers, Afterit wasloosened from its ‘‘ bed” it bad to he moved ahout 50 feetto reacb the bottom of the pit, up which it was hoisted with tbe greatest difficulty, Tbe operation of raising, hy aid of steam, borse and man power, occupied thirty-five hours of constant labor. Tbe hlock was carefully protected by clamps, and bound around with heavy iron tackle to prevent its falling into pieces. With all their precaution, however, it was badly cracked, though beld from falling apart by its iron bands. This is probably the largest piece of coal ever ‘moved in a single block. It was to be sent to tbe French Industrial Exhibition at Havre. Tis Perroteum YIELD oF THE UNITED Srares, although it bas slightly fallen off within the last two years, is hy no means materially on the decrease, notwithstanding

the dying out of the late petroleum fever. The qnantity of refined petrolenm exported is also kept up. The exportfor the three years past has been as follows: In 1865, 755,456 barrels were sent ahroad; in 1866, 1,679,400; in 1867, 1,679,112. The production of 1867 was about 4,000,000 barrels; tbe production for the present year, according to the best authorities, will come fully up to 3,650,000, and may possihly reach the bigber figure of 1867. Visrrons at the Fair will uow bave an opportunity of getting spectacles of any kind they want and adapted to their eyes, at Muller's Spectacle Emporium, 205 Moutgomery street, near Bush. a California Inventions. If we were seeking for evidence to prove that any particular class of individuals was really an enlightened and thinking class, we would desire none better than a knowledge of the fact that they were inventors. Inventors are always thinkers, <A few, indeed, may accidentally stumble upon some new device, hut their inventions are generally of an unimportant character. New discoveries are made daily—some may benefit mankind; others fall to the ground without ever receivinga second notice, Of the latter kind, a great majority are the result of accidents, or are originated in the brain of some person whose sole aim is to raise a stake, hy making some one think tbat he bas something valnable, merely because he has apatent. But uothing is more true than the old adage, that ‘‘ necessity is the mother of inventiou.” In this State, our strong hold is on mining macbinery, devices for separating gold . from the rock as it is found in its natural state and saving it; and in this we excel. The canse is necessity. We found here mountains in whose bowels lay millions of dollars, as they were deposited hy the mysterious workings of Nature. To extractand save this it was necessary to have the proper machiuery and processes for working tbe ore. Our State, and the Pacific Coast generally, hecame the home of an intelligent and thinking people, and bebold the result—the mountains bave been leveled, tbe gold-hearing rocks have been brougbt to the surface, crushed, and the gold extracted by means of machinery mostly devised by our own people ; and to-day Californiais credited by miners in all parts of the world, as being the source of our hest gold-saving apparatus. Our State is also the home of the originators of several inventions of great value and of different natures. The steam plow and various new auchors of merit, are the result of California genius. All this proves that we are a thinking people, and that we have among us that power which has been the great motor of tbe American nation—INVENTION. — Govrernamnt Tires ro Mines.—It appears from recent intelligence from Washington, tbat the Commissioner of the General Laud Office has just finished and made ready for transmission to this State the first patent issued under the National Mining Act of July 26th, 1866. The patent covers avery valuable quicksilver claim in Monterey Couuty, township No. 18 south, range No. 11, east of Mount Diahlo meridian. It appears that applications under this law bave not heen acted upon as speedily as would be desirable, on account of the novelty involved iu the proceedings, and the want of experience in dealing with this class of applications. The Clear Creek claim was returned to California for correction. On tbe 11th of June last the papers complete were forwarded, and have reached the General Land Office, meeting all the requirements of the law. The patent just prepared grants 6,000 feet to the Clear Creek lode, with sufficient surface ground for tbe convenient working of the same ; and in point of mechanical execution, it is one of the most beautifully finished docnments ever issued from the Department. All other claims under the act will he patented as promptly as the applicants bring themsclves within the requirements of the statute, a matter that will be attended with less perplexity in the future than heretofore, on account of the experience that bas been acquired by the various officers whose action is needed in tbe preliminary stages of the proccedings. This branch of the land service is one of the greatest importance, extending its operatious over the surface of more than one thousand mineral localities, New Incorrorations.—Articles of incorporation have been recently filed in the County Clerk’s office in this city as follows: Zecu Pranororts Co.—Aug. 4th. Capital stock, $150,000 ; 1,500 shares, $100 each. Trustees: Jacob Zecb, Chas, Kohler and Edward F, Ohm. ; . Hall’s Patent Knife. ° The accompanying cnt represents Hall’s Patent Jacket Knife and Door Button. The dotted line shows the manner in which tbe tapering screw is {fastened on the back of the knife-handle, so as to permit of its opening and closing. When the screw is at right angles with the handle, the instrnment may be used as a hutton for fastening a door against hurglars ; for a cork screw ; for making holes for starting screws ; for forming a temporary hook*for hitching borses, and various other purposes. It adds hnt little to tbe weight and expense of an ordinary knife, while it enhances its usefulness. Patented July 23d, 1867. Dr, A. W. Hall, the inventor, No. 208 Broadway, N. Y., is mauufacturing the knife in this country, and we wish him success in patronizing American artisans. Diamoxp Maxrime.—Efforts to ohtain artificial diamonds will probably never cease until tbat much-prized jewel is as cheap as tbe most ordinary variety of precious stones. The latest effort which we have heard of in thatdirection, is tbat of a party who directs a stream of cblorine gas npon east iron kept in a state of fusion, The iron is sublimed in tbe form of perchloride, and the carbon is left behind, but not, we suspect, in the shape of adiamond. Carhon is always present iu cast iron, but nodonht uniformly in the graphitoidal form, and all the above experimenter can get for his trouble, will he a little black-lead. The nearest thing to an artificial diamond yet obtained, is in the form of crystallized carhon carried over hy a current of electricity j from a positive to 2 negative pole in the production of the electric light hy the use of charcoal points. A Live Paper.—The Reese River Reveille is one of our most welcome visitors. We never pick it up, bnt what we feel that we will be repaid tor our trouble before we lay it down, and we are seldom disappointed. Publisbed as it is, in the heart of one of the finest mining regions in the country, it devotes the most of its energies to giving its readers information concerning them, which will surely benefit the Reese River and surrounding country. Jivery person interested in the development of that portion of Nevada should take it. We value, and would not wish to be witbout it. Tue New York Post Orrice.—The gross amount of mail matter handled in the New York post-office in 1864, was ahout forty-one tons daily ; in 1867 it was ninety-five tons— an increase of 130 per cent, in three years! It now averages, in bulk, 200 wagon loads every day. The number of letters dispatched is ahout 250,000 per day—an increase of about 400 per cent, in ten years, We notice that a joh-printing office has heen opened bere hy the ladies’ on the co6perative plan, but the most popular and best patronized is the Woman’s Coéperative Uniou, No. 39 Second street, for making and mending shirts and otber nseful articles. Be Tse Mechanics’ Fair is thrown open today. A large number will be hcre from tbe country. We bope tbat no one will leave the city withont a visit to Woodward’s Gardeus. More can be seen there for twenty-five cents than anywbere on this continent. ae S. T.—1860—X.—The unprecedented and extraordinary demand for Plantation Bitters is evideutly owing to their being prepared with pure St. Croix Rum, Calisaya Bark, ete. Our druggists all complain that it is almost impossible to keep a snpply, and that their orders, owing to the great demand and limited supply, are but tardily executed. Be sure and get the gennine. *