Volume 21 (1870) (454 pages)

144 SCIENTIFIC PRESS. [Aue. 27,1870) ; ba tf > FD bad ok! evientifie Press, Wole EWHR.cccoc-scseecerscctes+ssrss Srnzor Eprror. DEWEY & Co., Publishers. A. T. DEWEY, GEO. H. STRONG, W. B. EWER. JNO. L, NOONE, Office, No. 414 Clay street, below Sansume. Verma of Subscription: One copy, per annum, in advance One copy, eix months, in advance.. Delivered by city carriere, per month. Rates cf Advertining. One square (ten linee agate), One equare, one month, One column, one month : One column, one ycer. 7 eee 400 Legal notices and special advertising at favorable rates. Mining Advertinementa Inserted et epecial ratee, saving conipanies more than half the cost of daily publication. Blanks for notices, 4n legal form, furnished free, with oli information desired of the law for collecting assessments. San Francisco: Saturday Morning, Aug. 27, 1870. Table of Contents. Pumpe, Ill.2.00.6. 137 Kansae Pacific R, R.. 137 Denver end Boulder R R.i27 Noteeon Placer Co.. 138 Eureka District Nev.138 Burro Minee...13 Colorado Progresslon. Santa Clara College..444 Stewart’s Reduction Works Academy of Science. Whittle Boiler, Ill. Horticultural Exhibi Recent Patent . New Patent Law. a Land Office Feee.. 145 Shareholders’ Directory.141 8. F. Stock Market.143 Mronanican Pnocnerse Ice-Making Apparatus ; Fire-Proof Enamel ; Wire Rope: Ruddick Engine; Gas Manufacture; French bike ake termination of Fecl : PolJen In Differentiation of Speciee; The Coming Light : Chlorineand Alcohol ; Anthracene ; Galena ' Transparent ;etc.. 139 Minine SunMary.—Itenis from various countics and districts in California, Ar: lzona, Colorado, Nevada, Montana, Idaho.. 140 FARMING AND GANDENING.— California Silk Business, Ill, Deep Cultivation; Palm Trees in Santa,Clara; Garden Profits; Tule Lands; Wheat Shipments: What I know of Farm. ing; Raising Horses. .143 READING FOR THE HouR— A Needle Cannon; An Iron Mattress, Ills; Sparks from a Segar; Up Long's Penk : Bells setc..1 S.F. Market Raotea S.F. Metal Market. 150 N. ¥. Metal Market. . 151 Army Telegraph ; Elastic Railway Wheels ; Indias Rubber Tire; etc.. 139 Screntiric Prog REes5 — Muecular Currente ; DeNotices to Correspondents. Communtoation Recervep. — On Battle Mountain District, from D. W. Will be published next week, T. Ryan.—Scott Bar.—Your note and the box of minerals are received. ‘Will he noticed further at the first opportuuity. oy, A Century Plant in Bloom to be Placed in the Fair! Among the many attractions at the forthcoming Horticultural Exhibition at the Pavilion will be a Century Plant in fnil bloon / This plant has just come into flower in the garden of Gen. R. W. Kirkland, at Oakland, hy whom it has been generously presented to the Mechanics Iustitute for the above purpose. This specimen of the Agave Americana, is a most magnificent one. It stands fully thirty feet high, and will require a four horse team for its transportation. Itis most opportune aud fitting that this giant of the floral kingdom, native and pecnliar to the Pacific Coast, ehould thus be at hand to occupy the post of honor in the first grand floral exhihition ev-r undertakenon the Pacific Slope. It will form the chief feature of the Exhibition, and will he examined with much interest and curiosity by hundreds of Eastern and European visitors, who have never yet had the opportunity of seeing this most wonderful plant in bloom. In anticipation of the great interest which will be elicited hy its exhibition, we have had a careful and accurate drawing taken of it, which our engraver is now at work transfering to wood to be presented to the readers of the Scrantrrio Press on Saturday of uext week. , + a oe Goursts.—Wm. H. Seward arrived in the State on the 24th inst., receiving a cordial grecting. General Sherman has been invited by the Society of Pioneers to ‘visit the coast aud participate in the celebration of Admission Day, the 9ih of September. ——<—: Prencu Cantrsopzs is a species of melon which has receutly been offered for sale in this city by Bulleti & Co., of the Pacific Fruit Market. The seed was imported by themselves. The frnit presents a very rough and uninviting exterior, but the palp is delicious. Santa Clara College, The 19th Annual Commencement of the Santa Clara College, which took place on Tuesday and Wednésday, the 9th and 10th instants, has been, as usual, highly spoken of. The exercises were of the highest and most pleasing order. Want of space bas prevented us from publishing the account thereof, which has been furnished hy our correspondent, who was present on the occasion; hut we give, helow, the portion of his letter which gives a description of the new and elegant hall in which the exercises were held, together with some acconnt of the surroundings and general character of the Institution, which, for the past year, has had enrolled upon its books the very large number of 218 students. The New and Etegant Hall, which has recently been erected on the northeast corner of the college hlock, frouting upon hoth Alviso and Franklin streets, is a substantial and elegant structnre, of three grand stories, which raise the huilding in towering prominence. The outside massive, Roman, Dorie and Ionic finish, gives the building a classie appearance, quite in harmony with its object, and in pleasiug contrast with the quaint old structure that constituted the old college, The hall, including the orchestra, stage, main floor and gallery, occupies the two upper stories, and will seat from 3,060 to 4,000 persons. It is most-admirably arranged, and althongh it does not attract the eye with gorgeous display, still leaves am impression of grandeur, neatness and heautiful adaptability, that remains a finished picture in the mind. The hall is ventilated on the most approved plan, and lighted with the recently invented pneumatic gas, which was illustrated and fully described in our issue of May 14th. The entrances are ample, tho stairways wide, aud the large, douhlo swinging doors will admit a stampede without interference, Nothing essential seems to have heen overlooked in the design and construction of this truly fine edifice. The massive strength and completeness of this structure gives one a confidence, in apite of threatening earthquakes, in its stability and durability. A Dinner with the ‘‘Fatbers ” of the institution, to which a few of its friends were invited, was accepted by your correspondent. It was a most snbstantial repast, hoth in edibles and in mirthful epirit. Dyspepsia must be a thing unknown, where every visage gleams with cheorful satisfaction over the hountiful food so relished hy health. Ths Buildings and their Surroundings. Father Messea, who has been seventeen years connected with the College, kindly showed us through tbe bnildings and grounds, and took pleasure in answering every qucstion propounded hy ns. The Library coutuins 10,000 volumes, all select and valuable works, historical, political, scientific, ete. ; and is heing constantly enlarged, A printing office and a teltegraphic office are supplied with materials for practical work. The Laboratory is very complete, and lovks quite as much like a placeof husiness as of study. The Museum contains many interesting Specimens of natural history, fossils, shells, minerals, insects, birds, etc., all divided into natural orders, and grouped with great care and taste. Several pianos are provided for students of music, aud drawing is also taught. The philosophical apparatus is very complete, coutaining many rare and expensive instruments—some of the most modern and best approved. A s:rupulous neatness was everywhere observable. Every duty is regulated by the tap of the hell, from ths rising in the moruing till the retiring atnight. Duriug hours of intermission the hoys are allowed full liherty on the commodious play grounds, where we saw them in the full enjoyment of the athletic sports, so worth the privilege of enjoying and remembering. We were shown into a room where the clothing of eacb student Is neatly put away upon shelves, numhered to correspond with the names. The laundry is in convenient proximity. Connected with it is a steam engine of 18-horse power, employed for laundry work, pumping water and’sawing wood. The College gronnds aro tastefully laid out and many fine plants and trees are cultivated, a further notice of which may he fonnd iu another column, under the head of “Palm Trees in San Jose.” The college owns quite a fine orchard, vineyard, vegetahle garden, and have a swimming pond and boat, artesian wells, ete. Indeed nothing that is conducive to health and convenience seems to he lacking. Ample provision is also made for the sick, and every needed comfort is provided. One of the finest views to be ohtaincd of the Santa Clara Valley is from the cupola of the old College building. Wonderful valley! Beautiful beyond the power of description—where nature has lavished her richness and man has planttd the standards of progress and civilization! Common Schcols. The Santa Clara College is a credit alike to its founders and to the Stato. Such institutions are too few. But while we admire all that we see here of material and natural and moral worth, we must still claim the palm for onr Common Schools, the real glory of our country and the bonor of onr people! The education of the masses is the strength of our civilization, the foundation of our national greatness, our liherty and our advancement. And the common schools of this region aro models of excellence in every essential thing. ; Srewarr’s Workes at GroRGETowN, Cotorapo. — The following items with regard to the old and new works we condense from the Colorado Register. The old works consisted of six stamps, two reverheratory furnaces and the accompanying machinery, In 18 months, 78,028 ozs. of silver hullion were produced ata given coin value of $75,004.90. The entire yield is said to have averaged 80 per cent of the fire assay. Capacity of works, 3 tons per day; charge for reducing ore, $55 to $60 per ton; capital invested, about $35,000. Two Arey shaft furnaces, for ehloridizing, are now to he pnt up, one on Chicago Creek and one on Snake River, for the Chenango Co. Capacity of each, 20 tons daily; cost of treatment, not over $15. The present price of working ore is about $30 per ton, with a prospect of a still further reduction in prices. Oy the 10th inst.,as the resnlt of flaws in the gearing, the cage in a coal mine near Pottsville, Pa., was dropped 225 feet., and with it 12 men. These were plunged iuto the sump and buried under the hoisting rope. Result: 10 dead and 2 badly wounded. The manufactnrer of that defective gearing ought to he interviewed by state officials; likewise the proprietor of the colliery. TrurcraPs Posts.—The wood of telegraph poles put up in Kentucky withstood the elements as follows: the chestuut rotted first, the cedar next gave way, while the locust,"at the end of five years, was nearly sound. ~ Academy of Science. The regular monthly meeting of the society was held on the 15th. Several names were proposed for membership, and a number of contributions to the cabinet were received. A number of pamphlets were also presented to the society. Prof. M. A. Poey, Ex-Director of the Observatory of Havana, and also a memher of the French Scientific Expedition to Mexico, made remarks on the periodical occurrence of physical phenomena, as storms, seasons of cold and heat, ete., dwelling more at length on meteoric showers and solar spots, He also advanced the theory that all moral phenomena, as well as physieal, cau be traced to similar causes and relations, and that seasons of crime are as regular and independent of human control as the yearly changes. The Castle Peaks. Prof. Whitney stated that, within the past fortnight, the Gcological Survey had ascended three of the mountains known as “Castle Peak.” One of these, known also as Fremont’s Peak, is in Nevada county, four miles north of Summit Station. It ig the most elevated peak between the Pyramid Peak group and Lassen Peak. It is part of the broken rim of a volcano and from it, to the north, one can look down into the former crater, at a depth of 600 to 800 feet below. To avoid confusion, this will be designated by surveyors hereafter as Mount Stanford. The second Castle Peak is in Mono connty, 12 miles S 10° W. of Bridgeport. This is about 12.000 feet high, and 1s a very conspicuous object. The name is not particularly appropriate, as the peak is rounded in outline, consisting of metamorphis slate, Its present name is retained, howver, as it has become so firmly fixcd, although evidently given originally under a mistaken idea that it was the point so named hy Mr. Goddard. The mountain really so named by Mr. G. H. Goddard, in 1854, is about 10 miles west of the last, and in Tuolumne county, at the head of the West Walker. Until now it has never been ascended. It is about 11,000 feet high, and, with its granite pinnacles, presents a very tine appearance, Itis to be known, hereafter, as Tower Peak, The exact altitudes of these points have not yet heen calculated, os all the observations have not heen received. Geology of Northern China. Prof. Whitney read extracts from letters written hy Baron Richthofen on the Loess formation in Northern China. This is most extensive, spreading in an almost continuous sheet of great thickness over the whole surface of the country, rising ou the high plateaus or over the entire area of the Northera Province of China, and prohably extending far into Central Asia. It is very porons and frequently intersected by small ramified tubes, evidently the spaces formerly occupied by rootlets, their walls heing usnally coated with a thin caleareons deposit. The formation is nowhere stratified, is in some places 1,500 feet thick, and contains in all parts an ahundance of perfectly preserved sbells of the genus Helix, and in many places the bones of land animals. The origin of this remarkable deposit affovds au exceedingly interesting study, but will require very careful and detailed observations before a satisfactory conclusion can be arrived at. Inyo County, ehips monthly, according to the Independent, about 200 tons of hullion to San Francisco, and receives back about the same weight of merchaudise, af an aggregate ccst of $36,000 per month. This is, of couse, a tremendous tax on her resources, evon taking no account of the loss eustained, by the capital invested, by the amount of time consumed in the transportation. Naturally the Independent ealls loudly for roads and railways. sd AnotHeR Town Burnt Down. Canon . City, Green County, Oregon, has been wholly destroyed by fire, which,'originating in a restaurant, epread through the town so thoroughly, that only three buildACKNOWLEDGEMENT.—We have received . ings, according to the acconnts, were left from the Salt Lake City Maseum a box of specimens of minerals, cereals and homemade articles, together with several pamphlets, We shall speak at length concerning these next week. Our thanks to the sender, standing, while some seventy-five were burnt down. Snch conflagrations are getting unpleasantly frequent this year. Farthquakes are fading out in compari60n.

144 SCIENTIFIC PRESS. [Aue. 27,1870) ; ba tf > FD bad ok! evientifie Press, Wole EWHR.cccoc-scseecerscctes+ssrss Srnzor Eprror. DEWEY & Co., Publishers. A. T. DEWEY, GEO. H. STRONG, W. B. EWER. JNO. L, NOONE, Office, No. 414 Clay street, below Sansume. Verma of Subscription: One copy, per annum, in advance One copy, eix months, in advance... Delivered by city carriere, per month.. Rates cf Advertining. One square (ten linee agate), One equare, one month, One column, one month : One column, one ycer.. 7 eee 400 Legal notices and special advertising at favorable rates. Mining Advertinementa Inserted et epecial ratee, saving conipanies more than half the cost of daily publication. Blanks for notices, 4n legal form, furnished free, with oli information desired of the law for collecting assessments. San Francisco: Saturday Morning, Aug. 27, 1870. Table of Contents. Pumpe, Ill..2.00.6. 137 Kansae Pacific R, R... 137 Denver end Boulder R R.i27 Noteeon Placer Co... 138 Eureka District Nev..138 Burro Minee......13 Colorado Progresslon.. Santa Clara College...444 Stewart’s Reduction Works Academy of Science.. Whittle Boiler, Ill. Horticultural Exhibi Recent Patent .. New Patent Law. a Land Office Feee.... 145 Shareholders’ Directory.141 8. F. Stock Market..143 Mronanican Pnocnerse Ice-Making Apparatus ; Fire-Proof Enamel ; Wire Rope: Ruddick Engine; Gas Manufacture; French bike ake termination of Fecl : PolJen In Differentiation of Speciee; The Coming Light : Chlorineand Alcohol ; Anthracene ; Galena ' Transparent ;etc... 139 Minine SunMary.—Itenis from various countics and districts in California, Ar: lzona, Colorado, Nevada, Montana, Idaho... 140 FARMING AND GANDENING.— California Silk Business, Ill, Deep Cultivation; Palm Trees in Santa,Clara; Garden Profits; Tule Lands; Wheat Shipments: What I know of Farm. ing; Raising Horses. .143 READING FOR THE HouR— A Needle Cannon; An Iron Mattress, Ills; Sparks from a Segar; Up Long's Penk : Bells setc...1 S.F. Market Raotea S.F. Metal Market. 150 N. ¥. Metal Market.. . 151 Army Telegraph ; Elastic Railway Wheels ; Indias Rubber Tire; etc... 139 Screntiric Prog REes5 — Muecular Currente ; DeNotices to Correspondents. Communtoation Recervep. — On Battle Mountain District, from D. W. Will be published next week, T. Ryan.—Scott Bar.—Your note and the box of minerals are received. ‘Will he noticed further at the first opportuuity. oy, A Century Plant in Bloom to be Placed in the Fair! Among the many attractions at the forthcoming Horticultural Exhibition at the Pavilion will be a Century Plant in fnil bloon / This plant has just come into flower in the garden of Gen. R. W. Kirkland, at Oakland, hy whom it has been generously presented to the Mechanics Iustitute for the above purpose. This specimen of the Agave Americana, is a most magnificent one. It stands fully thirty feet high, and will require a four horse team for its transportation. Itis most opportune aud fitting that this giant of the floral kingdom, native and pecnliar to the Pacific Coast, ehould thus be at hand to occupy the post of honor in the first grand floral exhihition ev-r undertakenon the Pacific Slope. It will form the chief feature of the Exhibition, and will he examined with much interest and curiosity by hundreds of Eastern and European visitors, who have never yet had the opportunity of seeing this most wonderful plant in bloom. In anticipation of the great interest which will be elicited hy its exhibition, we have had a careful and accurate drawing taken of it, which our engraver is now at work transfering to wood to be presented to the readers of the Scrantrrio Press on Saturday of uext week. , + a oe Goursts.—Wm. H. Seward arrived in the State on the 24th inst., receiving a cordial grecting. General Sherman has been invited by the Society of Pioneers to ‘visit the coast aud participate in the celebration of Admission Day, the 9ih of September. ——<—: Prencu Cantrsopzs is a species of melon which has receutly been offered for sale in this city by Bulleti & Co., of the Pacific Fruit Market. The seed was imported by themselves. The frnit presents a very rough and uninviting exterior, but the palp is delicious. Santa Clara College, The 19th Annual Commencement of the Santa Clara College, which took place on Tuesday and Wednésday, the 9th and 10th instants, has been, as usual, highly spoken of. The exercises were of the highest and most pleasing order. Want of space bas prevented us from publishing the account thereof, which has been furnished hy our correspondent, who was present on the occasion; hut we give, helow, the portion of his letter which gives a description of the new and elegant hall in which the exercises were held, together with some acconnt of the surroundings and general character of the Institution, which, for the past year, has had enrolled upon its books the very large number of 218 students. The New and Etegant Hall, which has recently been erected on the northeast corner of the college hlock, frouting upon hoth Alviso and Franklin streets, is a substantial and elegant structnre, of three grand stories, which raise the huilding in towering prominence. The outside massive, Roman, Dorie and Ionic finish, gives the building a classie appearance, quite in harmony with its object, and in pleasiug contrast with the quaint old structure that constituted the old college, The hall, including the orchestra, stage, main floor and gallery, occupies the two upper stories, and will seat from 3,060 to 4,000 persons. It is most-admirably arranged, and althongh it does not attract the eye with gorgeous display, still leaves am impression of grandeur, neatness and heautiful adaptability, that remains a finished picture in the mind. The hall is ventilated on the most approved plan, and lighted with the recently invented pneumatic gas, which was illustrated and fully described in our issue of May 14th. The entrances are ample, tho stairways wide, aud the large, douhlo swinging doors will admit a stampede without interference, Nothing essential seems to have heen overlooked in the design and construction of this truly fine edifice. The massive strength and completeness of this structure gives one a confidence, in apite of threatening earthquakes, in its stability and durability. A Dinner with the ‘‘Fatbers ” of the institution, to which a few of its friends were invited, was accepted by your correspondent. It was a most snbstantial repast, hoth in edibles and in mirthful epirit. Dyspepsia must be a thing unknown, where every visage gleams with cheorful satisfaction over the hountiful food so relished hy health.

Ths Buildings and their Surroundings. Father Messea, who has been seventeen years connected with the College, kindly showed us through tbe bnildings and grounds, and took pleasure in answering every qucstion propounded hy ns. The Library coutuins 10,000 volumes, all select and valuable works, historical, political, scientific, ete. ; and is heing constantly enlarged, A printing office and a teltegraphic office are supplied with materials for practical work. The Laboratory is very complete, and lovks quite as much like a placeof husiness as of study. The Museum contains many interesting Specimens of natural history, fossils, shells, minerals, insects, birds, etc., all divided into natural orders, and grouped with great care and taste. Several pianos are provided for students of music, aud drawing is also taught. The philosophical apparatus is very complete, coutaining many rare and expensive instruments—some of the most modern and best approved. A s:rupulous neatness was everywhere observable. Every duty is regulated by the tap of the hell, from ths rising in the moruing till the retiring atnight. Duriug hours of intermission the hoys are allowed full liherty on the commodious play grounds, where we saw them in the full enjoyment of the athletic sports, so worth the privilege of enjoying and remembering. We were shown into a room where the clothing of eacb student Is neatly put away upon shelves, numhered to correspond with the names. The laundry is in convenient proximity. Connected with it is a steam engine of 18-horse power, employed for laundry work, pumping water and’sawing wood. The College gronnds aro tastefully laid out and many fine plants and trees are cultivated, a further notice of which may he fonnd iu another column, under the head of “Palm Trees in San Jose.” The college owns quite a fine orchard, vineyard, vegetahle garden, and have a swimming pond and boat, artesian wells, ete. Indeed nothing that is conducive to health and convenience seems to he lacking. Ample provision is also made for the sick, and every needed comfort is provided. One of the finest views to be ohtaincd of the Santa Clara Valley is from the cupola of the old College building. Wonderful valley! Beautiful beyond the power of description—where nature has lavished her richness and man has planttd the standards of progress and civilization! Common Schcols. The Santa Clara College is a credit alike to its founders and to the Stato. Such institutions are too few. But while we admire all that we see here of material and natural and moral worth, we must still claim the palm for onr Common Schools, the real glory of our country and the bonor of onr people! The education of the masses is the strength of our civilization, the foundation of our national greatness, our liherty and our advancement. And the common schools of this region aro models of excellence in every essential thing. ; Srewarr’s Workes at GroRGETowN, Cotorapo. — The following items with regard to the old and new works we condense from the Colorado Register. The old works consisted of six stamps, two reverheratory furnaces and the accompanying machinery, In 18 months, 78,028 ozs. of silver hullion were produced ata given coin value of $75,004.90. The entire yield is said to have averaged 80 per cent of the fire assay. Capacity of works, 3 tons per day; charge for reducing ore, $55 to $60 per ton; capital invested, about $35,000. Two Arey shaft furnaces, for ehloridizing, are now to he pnt up, one on Chicago Creek and one on Snake River, for the Chenango Co. Capacity of each, 20 tons daily; cost of treatment, not over $15. The present price of working ore is about $30 per ton, with a prospect of a still further reduction in prices. Oy the 10th inst.,as the resnlt of flaws in the gearing, the cage in a coal mine near Pottsville, Pa., was dropped 225 feet., and with it 12 men. These were plunged iuto the sump and buried under the hoisting rope. Result: 10 dead and 2 badly wounded. The manufactnrer of that defective gearing ought to he interviewed by state officials; likewise the proprietor of the colliery. TrurcraPs Posts.—The wood of telegraph poles put up in Kentucky withstood the elements as follows: the chestuut rotted first, the cedar next gave way, while the locust,"at the end of five years, was nearly sound. ~ Academy of Science. The regular monthly meeting of the society was held on the 15th. Several names were proposed for membership, and a number of contributions to the cabinet were received. A number of pamphlets were also presented to the society. Prof. M. A. Poey, Ex-Director of the Observatory of Havana, and also a memher of the French Scientific Expedition to Mexico, made remarks on the periodical occurrence of physical phenomena, as storms, seasons of cold and heat, ete., dwelling more at length on meteoric showers and solar spots, He also advanced the theory that all moral phenomena, as well as physieal, cau be traced to similar causes and relations, and that seasons of crime are as regular and independent of human control as the yearly changes. The Castle Peaks. Prof. Whitney stated that, within the past fortnight, the Gcological Survey had ascended three of the mountains known as “Castle Peak.” One of these, known also as Fremont’s Peak, is in Nevada county, four miles north of Summit Station. It ig the most elevated peak between the Pyramid Peak group and Lassen Peak. It is part of the broken rim of a volcano and from it, to the north, one can look down into the former crater, at a depth of 600 to 800 feet below. To avoid confusion, this will be designated by surveyors hereafter as Mount Stanford. The second Castle Peak is in Mono connty, 12 miles S 10° W. of Bridgeport. This is about 12.000 feet high, and 1s a very conspicuous object. The name is not particularly appropriate, as the peak is rounded in outline, consisting of metamorphis slate, Its present name is retained, howver, as it has become so firmly fixcd, although evidently given originally under a mistaken idea that it was the point so named hy Mr. Goddard. The mountain really so named by Mr. G. H. Goddard, in 1854, is about 10 miles west of the last, and in Tuolumne county, at the head of the West Walker. Until now it has never been ascended. It is about 11,000 feet high, and, with its granite pinnacles, presents a very tine appearance, Itis to be known, hereafter, as Tower Peak, The exact altitudes of these points have not yet heen calculated, os all the observations have not heen received. Geology of Northern China. Prof. Whitney read extracts from letters written hy Baron Richthofen on the Loess formation in Northern China. This is most extensive, spreading in an almost continuous sheet of great thickness over the whole surface of the country, rising ou the high plateaus or over the entire area of the Northera Province of China, and prohably extending far into Central Asia. It is very porons and frequently intersected by small ramified tubes, evidently the spaces formerly occupied by rootlets, their walls heing usnally coated with a thin caleareons deposit. The formation is nowhere stratified, is in some places 1,500 feet thick, and contains in all parts an ahundance of perfectly preserved sbells of the genus Helix, and in many places the bones of land animals. The origin of this remarkable deposit affovds au exceedingly interesting study, but will require very careful and detailed observations before a satisfactory conclusion can be arrived at. Inyo County, ehips monthly, according to the Independent, about 200 tons of hullion to San Francisco, and receives back about the same weight of merchaudise, af an aggregate ccst of $36,000 per month. This is, of couse, a tremendous tax on her resources, evon taking no account of the loss eustained, by the capital invested, by the amount of time consumed in the transportation. Naturally the Independent ealls loudly for roads and railways. sd AnotHeR Town Burnt Down. Canon . City, Green County, Oregon, has been wholly destroyed by fire, which,'originating in a restaurant, epread through the town so thoroughly, that only three buildACKNOWLEDGEMENT.—We have received . ings, according to the acconnts, were left from the Salt Lake City Maseum a box of specimens of minerals, cereals and homemade articles, together with several pamphlets, We shall speak at length concerning these next week. Our thanks to the sender, standing, while some seventy-five were burnt down. Snch conflagrations are getting unpleasantly frequent this year. Farthquakes are fading out in compari60n.