Volume 24 (1872) (424 pages)

124 SCIENTIFIC PRESS. [February 24, 1872. Commissioner Drnmmond’s Circular. The Order to Prevent Settlement in the Foothills. The Istter of Instructions of Commissioner Drummond, issued Dec. 2, 1871, and to which ws hrisfly alluded at ths time, is attracting much attention, and is evidently calculated to work a great injury to the mining counties, from ths fact of its tendency to discourags further agricultural settlement in the foothills, and thus interfere with an important source of prosperity which was just heginning to he opeued up in those couuties under the previous instructions of Commissioner Wilson. The purport of this letter, which has heen called “An Order to Prsvent Settlement in the Foothills,” is a formal withdrawal from disposal, under the agricultural land laws, of all the lands in 83 townships in the foothills of Tuolumne, Calaveras, Amador, El Dorado, Sacramento, Placer and Nsvada counties, which townships ars especially dssignated as follows:— Township 1 north, ranges 12, 13 and 14 east. Township 2 north, ranges 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 sast. Township 3 north, ranges 10, 11, 12 and 13 east. Township 4 north, ranges 10, 11, 12 aud 13 east. Township 5 north, ranges 10, 11 and 12 east. Township 6 north, ranges 10, 11, 12 and 13 east. Township 7 north, ranges 9, 10, 11 and 12 east. Township 8 north, ranges 9, 10, 11 and 12 east. Township 9 north, ranges 9, 10,11 and 12 east. Township 10 north, ranges 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 east. Township 11 north, ranges 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 east. Township 12 north, ranges 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 east. Township 13 north, ranges 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 sast. ‘ownship 14 north, ranges 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 east. Township 15 north, ranges 7, 8, 9,10 and 11 east. Township 16 north, ranges 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16 and 17 east. Township 17 north, ranges 16 and 17 east. Township 18 north, ranges 16 and 17 east; and township 19 north, ranges 19 and 17 east—all Mount Diahlo hess and meridian. Ths effect of this order is to reqnirs all people who havs settled or who may hereafter settls in ths foothills to apply to ths Land Office, advertise for thirty days, and have a trial, with witnesses, to provs that ths land thsy may claim is more valuahle for agricultural than for mining, If the decision is in favor of ths settler, the fact is mads known at Washington, and if no contestant appears within a year or two hs will hs allowed to ‘‘proys up’’ his claim and get his patent. The cost of hoth trials and advertising is thrown upon the settlsr, and will amount to douhle the Government price of ths land. This order is rsvsrsing the rulings of Commissiouer Wilson, who held that all the land above descrihed was agricultural, and threw the cost of proving to ths contrary on the miner, who, of courss, is the only ona who can hs expected tohavs the proof—his “diggings ” or quartz vein constituting the fact of its mineral character. By this decision ths farmer is in fact called upon to provs a negative. Ths reason for this reversal of Mr. Wilson’s instructions ars stated hy Mr. Drummond as follows :— This course has heen forced upon the Department hy several circumstances; among which may he cited ths fact that ths majority of applications for mining titles from California ars for lands marked ‘agricultural’? upon the official township plats; that in making thess returns of surveys, largs areas in ths heretofors reservsd mineral belt are marked on ths plats as ‘“‘agricultural land,” whils upon ths sams plats, and within ths tracts so rsturned as agricultural, ars aunotations of ‘* quartz ledges,” ‘‘mining ditches,’’ hydrauclic mines,” “ diggings,”’ etc., the plat thus contradicting itself, and leaving this offics in ths dark as to the true quality of ths laud, In a case now pending hefore this office, of an application for patent for a quicksilver mins —one which has heen worked for years—it was found that the land was returned as ‘‘ agricultural,’’ and, falling with the hmits of thegrant, was patented to the Western Pacific Railroad Company before said application was received. The Commissioner fears if the rulings of Mr. Wilson were continued the minsral lands would heindiscriminately ahsorbed hy speculators. But it is evident that the land office at Washington does not fully understand this question of mixed mineral and agricultural lands, and it is unfortunate for the people—our agricultural settlers in the foothilis especially—that the power held hy the General Government over those lands, is exercised without a full knowledge of all the facts. Under these circumstauces it is to he hoped that Mr. Sargent, our newly elected Senator, who fully understands all the facts in the case, aud that ths prosperity of our mining counties depends largsly on the cncouragment of agriculturs withiu their foothill limits, will take this matter in hand, and, if possihls, secure hy Legislation, what it seems impossible to effect hy official routins. Thsrs is really no difficulty in the mattsr, if our officials will only nsw order sesms to hays no better argument in its favor than that ths Commission fonnd some difficulty—which is simply misapprehended— in carrying out ths old rulings, which, whils properly administered, gavs satisfaction to hoth the agriculturist and the miner, and were contrihuting largely to the development of an important but hitherto neglected portion of the puhlic lands, and the consequent prosperity of ths counties in which they were located. Review of J. 8. Phillips’ Mining Book in the London Mining Journal. Practical Mining Literalure. The want of sound scientific kuowledge has been much felt by the miners employed in developing the vast mineral resources of the western regions of the United States, aud for this want the work of Mr. J.S. Phillips, M. E., of San Francisco, will prove an excellent remedy. The book is written expressively for the miners in the districts mentioned, and in addressing them Mr. Phillips remarks that the greatest mistakes in American mining have been caused by lack of ordinary prudence in a comparatively new aud most difficult business. ae It is not pretended even to give an outline of the various sciences connected with mining, nor to convert miners into scientific men; but Mr. Phillips seeks to give them sufficient knowledge to enable them to help themselves in however unsettled a part of Western America they may be mining in; he would teach them something of geology to enable them to recognise a “tne fissure vein”. when they see it, or if they have not already been in the field, he would teach them how to explore and where to explore, with the best chances of snecess. A vein having been discovered, the next thing is to ascertain whether it is worth working; the author, therefore, gives a section on assaying and descrimination—that being, indeed, the leading feature in the volume. *—y The work has now been extended to embrace the whole field of mining, which he considers sufficiently hazardous at the best having too many-blanks for a prize to sustain unnecessary errors arising from insnfficient preliminary examination, as most deplorably evinced by retrospectiug the legion of mills that have been erected on hundreds of ledges, but as enormously expensive assaying machines to prove their worthlessness. * * * Metallurgy, which is treated of in the conelnding section, and embraces descriptions of roasting, milling, chlorinising, smelting, and chemical reduction. is dealt with in the same practical manner as the other subjectsthe book altogether being one exactly calculated to suit the views and meet the requirements of those for whom it has been written. Itis not intended as a scientific work, but to facilitate practical operations upon seienttfic principle. This object the book is well calculated to obtain and its value is much enhanced by the principle which Mr. Phillips has adopted of including only those processes which can easily be carried out by practical men unused to the delicate manipulation necessary in the laboratory of the practised chemist. The work will undonbtedly obtain a large number of readers. Invention of Suspension Bridges by the Chinese, 1,900 Years Ago. The most remarkable evidence of the mechanical science and skill of the Chinese at this early period, isto be found in their suspended bridges, the invention of which is assigned tothe Handynasty. According to the concurrent testimony of all their historical and geographical writers,Sangleang,the commander of the army under Kaou-tsoo, the first of the Hans, undertook and completed the formation of roads through the mountaneous province of Shense, to the west of the capitol. Hitherto its lofty hills and deep valleys had rendered a communication difficult and circuitous. With a body of 100,000 laborers he cut passages over the mountains, throwing the removal soil into valleys, and where this was not sufficient to raise the road to the required hight, he constructed bridges, which rested on pillars or abutments. In another place he conceived and accomplished the daring project of suspending a bridge from oue mountain to another across adeep chasm. These bridges, which are called by jthe Chinese writers, very appropriately, flying bridges, and represented to be numerous at the present day, are sometimes so high that they cannot-be traversed without alarm. One still existgo honestly and intelligsntly to work. Ths. ing in Shense, stretches 400 feet from mountain to mountain, over a chasm 500 feet. Most of these flying bridges are so wide that four horsemen can ride on them abreast, and balustrades are placed on each side to protect travelers. It is by no means improbable (as M. Pauthier suggests) that, as the missionaries to China made known the fact more than a century anda half ago, that the Chinese had suspended bridges, and that many of them were made of iron, he hint may have been taken from thence for similar constructions by European engineers. British Patents for Pacific Coast Inventions. Followiug is a list of inventions patented or protscted hy Provisional Specifications in Englaud hy Invsntors in ths Pacific States and Territories, from July 29, 1870, to December 1, 1871.* Means for preventiug ths franduleut uss of Bonds, Receipts, Checks, Tickets, and_other liks articles.—T. R. Hayes aud C. A. Peters, Sau Fraucisco, Cal. July 29, 1870. Method of securing or lockiug Screw Bolts and Nuts.— Robinson Rutter, Vallejo, Cal. Nov. 9, 1870. Axles and Axls Boxes for Whesled Vehiclss. Ernest Von Jeinssn and James Monros McDonald, San Francisco, Cal. Dec. 2, 1870. Sugar Manufacturing Apparatus. — Claus Sprsckles, San Francisco, Cal. March 3, 1871. Luhricator.—N. Siebert, San Fraucisco, Cal. March 23, 1871. Molding, Drainiug and Drying Sugar.—A. F. W. Partz, San Francisco, Cal. March 30, 1871. Luhricator.—Joseph Moore, San Francisco, Cal, April 5, 1871. Axles and Axle Boxes.—C. W. M. Smith, San Francisco, Cal. April 13, 1871. Sewing Machines.—C. W. M. Smith, San Francisco, Cal. April 18, 1871. Traction Engine.—A. Campbell and R. Clark, Sacramento, Cal. May 12, 1871. Artificial Stone.—R. Skinner, San Francisco, Cal. July 10, 1871. Steam Plow.—J. Lockhead and C. A. Mathjew, Sau Francisco, Cal. July 20, 1871. Anchor for Plow.—A. Campbsll and R. Clark, Sacrameuto, Cal. Aug. 2, 1871. Sswing Machius.—E. Morean and W. B. Isaacs, San Francisco, Cal. Screw Propeller.—H. Zahn, Sau Fraucisco, Cal. Aug. 8, 1871. Whesl for Tractiou Eugine.—A. Camphell and R. Clark, Sacramento, Cal. Aug. 24, 1871. Improvemeut in Churns,—E. Groat, Milo B. Pond and Wm. Cantelow, Napa, Cal. Sspt. 30, 1871. An Improved Fastening for Boots aud Shoss. Tra J. Saunders, Davisville, Cal. Oct. 9, 1871. *Compiled from reports received hy Dewry & Co,, Patent Agents for all oivilized countries, who will furnieh on application, any information specially deeired concerning the securing of patents and the rights of patentees in forsign countries. Mineral Wealth of Bolivia—The Mines of Potosi. It is seldom that we hear any mention made of the mines of Bolivia, yet their extent is great and the late discoveries within her borders are likely to regenerate the countryand make her name widely known. Messrs. Hunt & Douglas, discoverers of the renowned process for working copper ores, have taken the tronble of procuring the exelnsive right to use it in Bolivia; and the silver deposits of the country are much more extensive than many suppose. The Panama Star and Herald says on this subject : d Some how or other it is only very recently that Bolivia has been distinguished from Peru, particularly among Europeans in general. Not long ago, as we all know here, the people made a revolution, drove out Malgarejo, and now have anew Government; not only that, but anew era of prosperity, we trust, is about to be opened np to her. Bolivia, though at some distance from the coast and pushed back as it were toward the interior by Peru, is still an important country, both for extent of territory, richness of soil, and many of the most valued products of the three kingdoms of Natnre. Her plains and mountaing are drained by the Amazon and Parana. The mines of Potosi, which gave to Peru the repntation of fabnlous riches, are sitnated within her borders. Potosi, which at the beginning of the seventeenth century had a population of 150,000 souls, has now ceased tobe whatit was. Another discovery has just been made, not in the fertile regions of that Republic, but in the sandy deserts of Atacama, bordering on the Pacific. We allude to the rich silver mines of Caracoles. New discoveries in the same region are being daily made, each one of which surpasses the other in richness of ore. The quantity of silver extracted from these mines has proved rich beyound anything yet known, eclipsing by far the most famous mines of ancient and modern Peru. The otherwise sterile region in which these great discoveries have been made naturally presents many obstacles to the full working of these mines and development of the region, the principal of which isthe difficulty of transit to the coast, a distance of 120 miles over ravines, mountains and desert, all of which renders the introduction offood, mining utensils, ete., and especially water for more than one thousand persons, very costly and difficult operations. The scarcity of water and other inconveniences of the locality have had the effect of preventing any great increase of population as well as the working of the mines, many of which are at a stand still until a railroad can be constructed for communication with the coast. We have reason to believe that these obstacles will only be temporary, as a line of rails will shortly be laid down from Mexillones toCaracoles. The Bay of Mexillones forms by far the most capable and safe natural harbor on the west coast. Several limited companies have been formed to work some of the Caracoles mines, and for those yet remaining in the hands of the original owners, there isa keen competition, both by native and European houses. We shall, hereafter, from time to time take occasion to inform our readers of the further development of this miners’ Paradise in Bolivia. Daily Weather Record, By THE U. 8. Army Srenau SERVICE, FOR THE WEEE ENDING WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1872. a CESS 9 183i > [S3EE8 Iss. fy of § SIS. 2, IESIESS SS . E5 ee Ze [STS] SS [FP gj SSS] 85 )5 8) State of gE BE [ES SE PPS SS 8/8 S88] wreaner, § Sisl . S le sissies S. PS & Ely eS/ESS “ls SSS i) Sia) 8 ISS S z 3 8 FS a 30.11453 193, Oatm! 44 Cloudy & . . 12/56/93/Oalm, 4-4) .21. Threat's a . 10/59/94} Cal ra’ 4-4) .14/Threat’g Be 2)58)88/S. Wit liLight . 4-4 Cloudy Bay 5\50/86/ W. 4. Gentle Clear a 3)80/Calm 2-4 Pair re 53/80] W. 4}Gentle} 1-4 Fair : Clear 3 to = aR a ba 20.04/55 86. N, E.] 5:Gentle e a 29.64/24174] Cal m!. 3-4 Cloudy LJ ‘to ant 4 4 30,06/38/S0)N. E.) 2)Light . 3-4] .02)Cloudy ay S al ho 30.20}30/79]N. &[Fresh . 1-4 Eair 7 = . 29,82/35\52) W. 15. Brisk Clear Ey S a r Clear 30.04/36 521N.W. 17} Brisk 3 29,8i/s1/s1. N.W. 9/Fresh Clondy = 3-4 8 Gl 0) 30. 07/34. 52/5. 6. Fresh Clear 4 29,80/261991S, 2Light . 44) . 'Threat'g a o 0 Clondy 29.96;32179/5. W. 6/Fresh . 2-4 4 wey 6] 8 29,97/25/86N. E.] Light . 3-4 Fair 2 B lre./20 eA }Wed.21} 30,13)27/831W. VLight . 3-4) Cloudy et DELAYED.—Our monthly series for January were issued thie week, _THE ViSALIA DELTA is one of the hsst printed and well circulated interior journals puhliehed in the rich agricultural and rapidly developing valley of Tulare. By E, M. Dewey, Visalia. Jainbp nape and Luscious Melons the Year Round! eeds for Sale.—The Seeds of the famouve TURKISH MUSKMELON (which keeps in fpoistaple condition in winter and snmmer) are now offered for sale (for tho firet time in America) at thie office. They are said to he excellent for preservesand sweet pickle, and superior to citrons or other melons, We have the eole wholesale and retail agency of the introducer, on this Continent, R, Marchella, of thie State. Small packages, hy mail, 50 cts., prepaid to any part of the United Statee. Itisa choice novelty. Send in season. The supply is not large. The Evangel, Office, 414 Clay street, San Francisco. Terms, $4 per year, in advance, THe EvancEen is the organ of the Baptist Denomination for the Pacific States and Territories. All efforts on the part of brethren and friends to extend its circulation will be gratefully appreciated. $3, for one year’s subsceviption, will be recelved from new subscribers, strictly in advance. Address ‘Evangel, "San Francisco, Cal.” Sample copies furnished free. 4y3-lambptf UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA.—The Preparatory Departsent is under the charge of five Professors of the University, and six tutors. Besides the studies of the public schools, Algebra, Geometry, Latin, Greek, German, French, Spanish and Book-Keeping are tanght. Terms: Board and tuition, 4 weeks, $30. Students rsceived atany time. Groroen Tarr, Oakland, Master Fifth Class. se9bpti $5 To $20 PER Day ann NO Rrszx.—Do you want a situation as salesman at or near home to introduce our new ‘-strand White Wire Clothes Lines, to last forever. Don't miss this chance. Sample Free. Address Hudson River Wire Works, 75 William street, N. ¥., or 1 Dearborn sitrest, Ohicago, NL. 23y1-12mbp

124 SCIENTIFIC PRESS. [February 24, 1872. Commissioner Drnmmond’s Circular. The Order to Prevent Settlement in the Foothills. The Istter of Instructions of Commissioner Drummond, issued Dec. 2, 1871, and to which ws hrisfly alluded at ths time, is attracting much attention, and is evidently calculated to work a great injury to the mining counties, from ths fact of its tendency to discourags further agricultural settlement in the foothills, and thus interfere with an important source of prosperity which was just heginning to he opeued up in those couuties under the previous instructions of Commissioner Wilson. The purport of this letter, which has heen called “An Order to Prsvent Settlement in the Foothills,” is a formal withdrawal from disposal, under the agricultural land laws, of all the lands in 83 townships in the foothills of Tuolumne, Calaveras, Amador, El Dorado, Sacramento, Placer and Nsvada counties, which townships ars especially dssignated as follows:— Township 1 north, ranges 12, 13 and 14 east. Township 2 north, ranges 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 sast. Township 3 north, ranges 10, 11, 12 and 13 east. Township 4 north, ranges 10, 11, 12 aud 13 east. Township 5 north, ranges 10, 11 and 12 east. Township 6 north, ranges 10, 11, 12 and 13 east. Township 7 north, ranges 9, 10, 11 and 12 east. Township 8 north, ranges 9, 10, 11 and 12 east. Township 9 north, ranges 9, 10,11 and 12 east. Township 10 north, ranges 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 east. Township 11 north, ranges 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 east. Township 12 north, ranges 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 east. Township 13 north, ranges 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 sast. ‘ownship 14 north, ranges 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 east. Township 15 north, ranges 7, 8, 9,10 and 11 east. Township 16 north, ranges 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16 and 17 east. Township 17 north, ranges 16 and 17 east. Township 18 north, ranges 16 and 17 east; and township 19 north, ranges 19 and 17 east—all Mount Diahlo hess and meridian. Ths effect of this order is to reqnirs all people who havs settled or who may hereafter settls in ths foothills to apply to ths Land Office, advertise for thirty days, and have a trial, with witnesses, to provs that ths land thsy may claim is more valuahle for agricultural than for mining, If the decision is in favor of ths settler, the fact is mads known at Washington, and if no contestant appears within a year or two hs will hs allowed to ‘‘proys up’’ his claim and get his patent. The cost of hoth trials and advertising is thrown upon the settlsr, and will amount to douhle the Government price of ths land. This order is rsvsrsing the rulings of Commissiouer Wilson, who held that all the land above descrihed was agricultural, and threw the cost of proving to ths contrary on the miner, who, of courss, is the only ona who can hs expected tohavs the proof—his “diggings ” or quartz vein constituting the fact of its mineral character. By this decision ths farmer is in fact called upon to provs a negative. Ths reason for this reversal of Mr. Wilson’s instructions ars stated hy Mr. Drummond as follows :— This course has heen forced upon the Department hy several circumstances; among which may he cited ths fact that ths majority of applications for mining titles from California ars for lands marked ‘agricultural’? upon the official township plats; that in making thess returns of surveys, largs areas in ths heretofors reservsd mineral belt are marked on ths plats as ‘“‘agricultural land,” whils upon ths sams plats, and within ths tracts so rsturned as agricultural, ars aunotations of ‘* quartz ledges,” ‘‘mining ditches,’’ hydrauclic mines,” “ diggings,”’ etc., the plat thus contradicting itself, and leaving this offics in ths dark as to the true quality of ths laud, In a case now pending hefore this office, of an application for patent for a quicksilver mins —one which has heen worked for years—it was found that the land was returned as ‘‘ agricultural,’’ and, falling with the hmits of thegrant, was patented to the Western Pacific Railroad Company before said application was received. The Commissioner fears if the rulings of Mr. Wilson were continued the minsral lands would heindiscriminately ahsorbed hy speculators. But it is evident that the land office at Washington does not fully understand this question of mixed mineral and agricultural lands, and it is unfortunate for the people—our agricultural settlers in the foothilis especially—that the power held hy the General Government over those lands, is exercised without a full knowledge of all the facts. Under these circumstauces it is to he hoped that Mr. Sargent, our newly elected Senator, who fully understands all the facts in the case, aud that ths prosperity of our mining counties depends largsly on the cncouragment of agriculturs withiu their foothill limits, will take this matter in hand, and, if possihls, secure hy Legislation, what it seems impossible to effect hy official routins. Thsrs is really no difficulty in the mattsr, if our officials will only nsw order sesms to hays no better argument in its favor than that ths Commission fonnd some difficulty—which is simply misapprehended— in carrying out ths old rulings, which, whils properly administered, gavs satisfaction to hoth the agriculturist and the miner, and were contrihuting largely to the development of an important but hitherto neglected portion of the puhlic lands, and the consequent prosperity of ths counties in which they were located. Review of J. 8. Phillips’ Mining Book in the London Mining Journal. Practical Mining Literalure. The want of sound scientific kuowledge has been much felt by the miners employed in developing the vast mineral resources of the western regions of the United States, aud for this want the work of Mr. J.S. Phillips, M. E., of San Francisco, will prove an excellent remedy. The book is written expressively for the miners in the districts mentioned, and in addressing them Mr. Phillips remarks that the greatest mistakes in American mining have been caused by lack of ordinary prudence in a comparatively new aud most difficult business. ae It is not pretended even to give an outline of the various sciences connected with mining, nor to convert miners into scientific men; but Mr. Phillips seeks to give them sufficient knowledge to enable them to help themselves in however unsettled a part of Western America they may be mining in; he would teach them something of geology to enable them to recognise a “tne fissure vein”. when they see it, or if they have not already been in the field, he would teach them how to explore and where to explore, with the best chances of snecess. A vein having been discovered, the next thing is to ascertain whether it is worth working; the author, therefore, gives a section on assaying and descrimination—that being, indeed, the leading feature in the volume. *—y The work has now been extended to embrace the whole field of mining, which he considers sufficiently hazardous at the best having too many-blanks for a prize to sustain unnecessary errors arising from insnfficient preliminary examination, as most deplorably evinced by retrospectiug the legion of mills that have been erected on hundreds of ledges, but as enormously expensive assaying machines to prove their worthlessness. * * * Metallurgy, which is treated of in the conelnding section, and embraces descriptions of roasting, milling, chlorinising, smelting, and chemical reduction. is dealt with in the same practical manner as the other subjectsthe book altogether being one exactly calculated to suit the views and meet the requirements of those for whom it has been written. Itis not intended as a scientific work, but to facilitate practical operations upon seienttfic principle. This object the book is well calculated to obtain and its value is much enhanced by the principle which Mr. Phillips has adopted of including only those processes which can easily be carried out by practical men unused to the delicate manipulation necessary in the laboratory of the practised chemist. The work will undonbtedly obtain a large number of readers. Invention of Suspension Bridges by the Chinese, 1,900 Years Ago. The most remarkable evidence of the mechanical science and skill of the Chinese at this early period, isto be found in their suspended bridges, the invention of which is assigned tothe Handynasty. According to the concurrent testimony of all their historical and geographical writers,Sangleang,the commander of the army under Kaou-tsoo, the first of the Hans, undertook and completed the formation of roads through the mountaneous province of Shense, to the west of the capitol. Hitherto its lofty hills and deep valleys had rendered a communication difficult and circuitous. With a body of 100,000 laborers he cut passages over the mountains, throwing the removal soil into valleys, and where this was not sufficient to raise the road to the required hight, he constructed bridges, which rested on pillars or abutments. In another place he conceived and accomplished the daring project of suspending a bridge from oue mountain to another across adeep chasm. These bridges, which are called by jthe Chinese writers, very appropriately, flying bridges, and represented to be numerous at the present day, are sometimes so high that they cannot-be traversed without alarm. One still existgo honestly and intelligsntly to work. Ths. ing in Shense, stretches 400 feet from mountain to mountain, over a chasm 500 feet. Most of these flying bridges are so wide that four horsemen can ride on them abreast, and balustrades are placed on each side to protect travelers. It is by no means improbable (as M. Pauthier suggests) that, as the missionaries to China made known the fact more than a century anda half ago, that the Chinese had suspended bridges, and that many of them were made of iron, he hint may have been taken from thence for similar constructions by European engineers. British Patents for Pacific Coast Inventions. Followiug is a list of inventions patented or protscted hy Provisional Specifications in Englaud hy Invsntors in ths Pacific States and Territories, from July 29, 1870, to December 1, 1871.* Means for preventiug ths franduleut uss of

Bonds, Receipts, Checks, Tickets, and_other liks articles.—T. R. Hayes aud C. A. Peters, Sau Fraucisco, Cal. July 29, 1870. Method of securing or lockiug Screw Bolts and Nuts.— Robinson Rutter, Vallejo, Cal. Nov. 9, 1870. Axles and Axls Boxes for Whesled Vehiclss. Ernest Von Jeinssn and James Monros McDonald, San Francisco, Cal. Dec. 2, 1870. Sugar Manufacturing Apparatus. — Claus Sprsckles, San Francisco, Cal. March 3, 1871. Luhricator.—N. Siebert, San Fraucisco, Cal. March 23, 1871. Molding, Drainiug and Drying Sugar.—A. F. W. Partz, San Francisco, Cal. March 30, 1871. Luhricator.—Joseph Moore, San Francisco, Cal, April 5, 1871. Axles and Axle Boxes.—C. W. M. Smith, San Francisco, Cal. April 13, 1871. Sewing Machines.—C. W. M. Smith, San Francisco, Cal. April 18, 1871. Traction Engine.—A. Campbell and R. Clark, Sacramento, Cal. May 12, 1871. Artificial Stone.—R. Skinner, San Francisco, Cal. July 10, 1871. Steam Plow.—J. Lockhead and C. A. Mathjew, Sau Francisco, Cal. July 20, 1871. Anchor for Plow.—A. Campbsll and R. Clark, Sacrameuto, Cal. Aug. 2, 1871. Sswing Machius.—E. Morean and W. B. Isaacs, San Francisco, Cal. Screw Propeller.—H. Zahn, Sau Fraucisco, Cal. Aug. 8, 1871. Whesl for Tractiou Eugine.—A. Camphell and R. Clark, Sacramento, Cal. Aug. 24, 1871. Improvemeut in Churns,—E. Groat, Milo B. Pond and Wm. Cantelow, Napa, Cal. Sspt. 30, 1871. An Improved Fastening for Boots aud Shoss. Tra J. Saunders, Davisville, Cal. Oct. 9, 1871. *Compiled from reports received hy Dewry & Co,, Patent Agents for all oivilized countries, who will furnieh on application, any information specially deeired concerning the securing of patents and the rights of patentees in forsign countries. Mineral Wealth of Bolivia—The Mines of Potosi. It is seldom that we hear any mention made of the mines of Bolivia, yet their extent is great and the late discoveries within her borders are likely to regenerate the countryand make her name widely known. Messrs. Hunt & Douglas, discoverers of the renowned process for working copper ores, have taken the tronble of procuring the exelnsive right to use it in Bolivia; and the silver deposits of the country are much more extensive than many suppose. The Panama Star and Herald says on this subject : d Some how or other it is only very recently that Bolivia has been distinguished from Peru, particularly among Europeans in general. Not long ago, as we all know here, the people made a revolution, drove out Malgarejo, and now have anew Government; not only that, but anew era of prosperity, we trust, is about to be opened np to her. Bolivia, though at some distance from the coast and pushed back as it were toward the interior by Peru, is still an important country, both for extent of territory, richness of soil, and many of the most valued products of the three kingdoms of Natnre. Her plains and mountaing are drained by the Amazon and Parana. The mines of Potosi, which gave to Peru the repntation of fabnlous riches, are sitnated within her borders. Potosi, which at the beginning of the seventeenth century had a population of 150,000 souls, has now ceased tobe whatit was. Another discovery has just been made, not in the fertile regions of that Republic, but in the sandy deserts of Atacama, bordering on the Pacific. We allude to the rich silver mines of Caracoles. New discoveries in the same region are being daily made, each one of which surpasses the other in richness of ore. The quantity of silver extracted from these mines has proved rich beyound anything yet known, eclipsing by far the most famous mines of ancient and modern Peru. The otherwise sterile region in which these great discoveries have been made naturally presents many obstacles to the full working of these mines and development of the region, the principal of which isthe difficulty of transit to the coast, a distance of 120 miles over ravines, mountains and desert, all of which renders the introduction offood, mining utensils, ete., and especially water for more than one thousand persons, very costly and difficult operations. The scarcity of water and other inconveniences of the locality have had the effect of preventing any great increase of population as well as the working of the mines, many of which are at a stand still until a railroad can be constructed for communication with the coast. We have reason to believe that these obstacles will only be temporary, as a line of rails will shortly be laid down from Mexillones toCaracoles. The Bay of Mexillones forms by far the most capable and safe natural harbor on the west coast. Several limited companies have been formed to work some of the Caracoles mines, and for those yet remaining in the hands of the original owners, there isa keen competition, both by native and European houses. We shall, hereafter, from time to time take occasion to inform our readers of the further development of this miners’ Paradise in Bolivia. Daily Weather Record, By THE U. 8. Army Srenau SERVICE, FOR THE WEEE ENDING WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1872. a CESS 9 183i > [S3EE8 Iss. fy of § SIS. 2, IESIESS SS . E5 ee Ze [STS] SS [FP gj SSS] 85 )5 8) State of gE BE [ES SE PPS SS 8/8 S88] wreaner, § Sisl . S le sissies S. PS & Ely eS/ESS “ls SSS i) Sia) 8 ISS S z 3 8 FS a 30.11453 193, Oatm! 44 Cloudy & . . 12/56/93/Oalm, 4-4) .21. Threat's a . 10/59/94} Cal ra’ 4-4) .14/Threat’g Be 2)58)88/S. Wit liLight . 4-4 Cloudy Bay 5\50/86/ W. 4. Gentle Clear a 3)80/Calm 2-4 Pair re 53/80] W. 4}Gentle} 1-4 Fair : Clear 3 to = aR a ba 20.04/55 86. N, E.] 5:Gentle e a 29.64/24174] Cal m!. 3-4 Cloudy LJ ‘to ant 4 4 30,06/38/S0)N. E.) 2)Light . 3-4] .02)Cloudy ay S al ho 30.20}30/79]N. &[Fresh . 1-4 Eair 7 = . 29,82/35\52) W. 15. Brisk Clear Ey S a r Clear 30.04/36 521N.W. 17} Brisk 3 29,8i/s1/s1. N.W. 9/Fresh Clondy = 3-4 8 Gl 0) 30. 07/34. 52/5. 6. Fresh Clear 4 29,80/261991S, 2Light . 44) . 'Threat'g a o 0 Clondy 29.96;32179/5. W. 6/Fresh . 2-4 4 wey 6] 8 29,97/25/86N. E.] Light . 3-4 Fair 2 B lre../20 eA }Wed.21} 30,13)27/831W. VLight . 3-4) Cloudy et DELAYED.—Our monthly series for January were issued thie week, _THE ViSALIA DELTA is one of the hsst printed and well circulated interior journals puhliehed in the rich agricultural and rapidly developing valley of Tulare. By E, M. Dewey, Visalia. Jainbp nape and Luscious Melons the Year Round! eeds for Sale.—The Seeds of the famouve TURKISH MUSKMELON (which keeps in fpoistaple condition in winter and snmmer) are now offered for sale (for tho firet time in America) at thie office. They are said to he excellent for preservesand sweet pickle, and superior to citrons or other melons, We have the eole wholesale and retail agency of the introducer, on this Continent, R, Marchella, of thie State. Small packages, hy mail, 50 cts., prepaid to any part of the United Statee. Itisa choice novelty. Send in season. The supply is not large. The Evangel, Office, 414 Clay street, San Francisco. Terms, $4 per year, in advance, THe EvancEen is the organ of the Baptist Denomination for the Pacific States and Territories. All efforts on the part of brethren and friends to extend its circulation will be gratefully appreciated. $3, for one year’s subsceviption, will be recelved from new subscribers, strictly in advance. Address ‘Evangel, "San Francisco, Cal.” Sample copies furnished free. 4y3-lambptf UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA.—The Preparatory Departsent is under the charge of five Professors of the University, and six tutors. Besides the studies of the public schools, Algebra, Geometry, Latin, Greek, German, French, Spanish and Book-Keeping are tanght. Terms: Board and tuition, 4 weeks, $30. Students rsceived atany time. Groroen Tarr, Oakland, Master Fifth Class. se9bpti $5 To $20 PER Day ann NO Rrszx.—Do you want a situation as salesman at or near home to introduce our new ‘-strand White Wire Clothes Lines, to last forever. Don't miss this chance. Sample Free. Address Hudson River Wire Works, 75 William street, N. ¥., or 1 Dearborn sitrest, Ohicago, NL. 23y1-12mbp