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mosaic work of small, colored stones. On inspection, I found that its appearance was not essentially different from the reality. It had a hollow bore, open at one end and sealed at the other, which was perfectly smooth and cylindrical, formed by small, irregular stones, of a variety of colors, which were more or less uneven on the exterior. I conjectured that it had been inhabited by some insect, though there was nothing to justify such an opinion but the unreasonableness of supposing that it could have been caused by accident. On further search I found several more, varying in neatness of construction, but not greatly in size. I took them to my temporary lodgings; but, in travelling homewards, some days after, on horseback, I found that the stones had been jarred asunder in my pocket. I may here be speaking of what is generally known to exist; but having never seen anything of the kind before or since, nor any one who had, I have ventured to make this communication. Yours, &c.

H.

To the Editor of the Tracts and Lyceum.

To a query in the last number a correspondent replies, that it is understood that Mr. Reynolds, the pupil of Capt. Symmes, in company with Mr. Watson, left the exploring brigs Seraph and Anawan, and explored a large portion of the interior of South America, including the country of the Auraucanians. Mr. Reynolds is now with Captain Downes, in the Potomac, as his Secretary. These gentlemen are said to have discovered the remains of ancient cities, &c. in that region, which has continued until this day under the dominion of the Aborigines. The Auraucanians are mentioned by geographers as being a warlike race, whom the Spaniards never could subdue. Both gentlemen took notes, &c. of the voyage and subsequent explorations, which will, without doubt, be submitted to the public as speedily as possible after Mr. Reynolds's return. It is possible that their discoveries may be as interesting, though, assuredly, not so important and glorious, as those of Ross and Lander.

L.

ORIGINAL MISCELLANY.

SCIENTIFIC DOINGS.—At a regular meeting of the Society of Natural History, Tremont Street, on Wednesday, Jan. 1, Wm. B. Fowle, Esq. in the chair, the following comprised the business of the sitting. Only a few members were present, which accounts for the paucity of our minutes.

Upon the table, presented since the last conversazione, was the under jaw of a young elephant, and the tail and jaws of a sting ray. Only a few reports were made upon subjects given out two weeks before. Mr. Emerson, on birds, remarked that he had not been able to ascertain the name or character of one of the two specimens assigned him. The other, which he held in his hand, was the scolopax flavipes, or yellow-legged snipe, of whose characteristics and habits he gave many interesting particulars.

Dr. Otis spoke in relation to the skull of a wild boar, recently received, which he seemed to think belonged to a species which had not been well described. This was from Madagascar,-so we understood him. It had six upper and six under incisors, or cutting teeth; whereas, several varieties of the animal possessed none at all. The tusks in the skull to which he adverted, were four in number, and really formidable weapons, appearing, externally, like those of the hippopotamus, though very much smaller. He interspersed many interesting facts, in connection with the anatomy of the head, the particulars of which we were unable to commit to paper as fast as they were given. He proposed to take further time for consideration, and gratified the Society with the prospect of a more elaborate report at a future day.

Mr. Tappan, to whom was committed several birds, of the falcon family, was interestingly minute in the external characteristics of the several individual specimens. Here, we regret to confess, that we were not swift enough with the pen to record his language as speedily as necessary, to give a synopsis of his observations.

Dr. E. Warren, a gentleman of nice discrimination, read a valuable paper which related to the skull of a tiger, recently deposited in the cabinet by Dr. Lewis. The writer discovered a perfect knowledge of the natural history of the feline species. The minute observations made on the number, position and office of the teeth, exhibited no ordinary powers of discrimination. The living animal of the genus to which the skull of which he was speaking belonged,

might always be known by the dark transverse bands on the body. One of these huge and ferocious cats had been known to seize a man in his mighty jaws, from a horse, and make his escape to the forest with the prey, before any relief could be afforded.

Mr. Wigglesworth was not in readiness to make a report. Mr. Dixwell, in a felicitous manner, gave his opinion of a work on natural history, recently added to the Society's library.

Dr. Gould read a paper on the cultivation of nutmeg. Beautiful specimens of the nut, in the original pods, from the Moluccas, were passed round the room.

A block of stone, from the Giant's Causeway, was announced as a present to the cabinet from the Rev. Mr. Malcolm. This is the third block from the same remarkable locality, which this gentleman has placed in the Society's room. Adjourned.

BOSTON WESLEYAN LYCEUM.-This Association continues to sustain the interest which its early operations excited. Its members manifest their continued confidence and pleasure in its system of mutual improvement by their general attendance at its regular meetings, and by their personal exertions to render them profitable and agreeable. Three series of lectures, by members of the Lyceum, are now in the course of delivery before the Society. The subjects are, Anatomy, Natural History and Natural Philosophy. They are presented in order, every three weeks, and hence there is a lecture every week, unless the lecture is suspended to give place to a public debate or some other change of exercises.

Nor is this infant institution forgotten by the public. It has received two boxes of minerals, one from the Wesleyan University, Middletown, Ct., the other from a gentleman in Strafford, Vt., the site of the valuable copper-mines. At a recent convention in this city, called with the hope of promoting the formation of similar associations, resolutions were passed, approving this institution, and recommending it to the attention and imitation of other Methodist societies. Since the time of this convention, one Lyceum', at least, (the 'Providence Wesleyan Lyceum,') has been organized as a result of the efforts of this association. Its founder, the Rev. Mr. Horton, of Providence, says 'From the short experience of about six weeks, we can cordially unite with our brethren in Boston in recommending their formation wherever practicable.' It is the uniform testimony of the members of the B. W. Lyceum, that it is

an important means of entertainment and instruction; and, feeling no discouragements, they are resolved to persevere in their laudable enterprise.

PERPETUAL MOTION.-From immemorial time, ingenious mechanics have been laboring to produce a self-moving machine. A principal object has generally been to avoid friction; but after all, the models of what they designed, have been more complicated than a church organ:-wheels, cogs, pinions and weights, in the greatest abundance, notwithstanding the to-be-avoided friction, necessarily suffered in their movements from this very cause. If the discovery of a perpetual motion is ever made, it is probable that the mechanism will be excecdingly simple.

We have been permitted to examine a ponderous mahogany wheel, in this city, about seven feet in diameter, loaded with monstrous iron blocks, sliding from the centre to the circumference, which the inventor sanguinely expected would whirl on its axle like a top, when completed. However, owing to various discouragements, miscalculations, and misconstruction, the perpetually revolving wheel was never completed-nor will it be.

We possess a model of another perpetual motion, which has no motion at all, which is beautifully wrought, and exhibits an inventive genius, unaccompanied, unfortunately, with a knowledge of the first principles of natural philosophy.

The bump of constructiveness, undisciplined by philosophical lessons, is an ignis fatuus, that seduces the half-taught mechanic into labyrinths of perplexity, pecuniary losses and domestic unhappiness.

SCHOOL APPARATUS.-As we pass the book-store windows in Washington Street, it is impossible not to stop and gaze upon the splendid miniature models which are manufactured for the use of schools. Surely, if the next generation are not wiser than their inventive progenitors, it will be a stupid epoch indeed. From the fig. 1 to the highest departments of mathematics, models have been prepared to make the matter easy of comprehension. Steam engines, that might be packed away in a sugar-bowl, may be purchased for a sum so trifling, that tolerably well patronized schools are inexcusable not to possess one. The mechanical powers, which a few years since were only occasionally seen in the college lecture room, may be bought for a few dollars. Pneumatic apparatus,

which, by the way, is all-important for the teacher, is so nicely and economically constructed, that we cannot doubt that it will be found in every school house in the United States.

In a word, we strongly recommend school committees, as well as instructers, to make themselves thoroughly acquainted with the value of these contrivances for facilitating the acquisition of useful knowledge.

HISTORY OF VOLCANOES.-Dr. C. T. Jackson gave a lecture on the history and character of some of the principal volcanoes of Europe, on Thursday evening, January 2, before the Boston Lyceum, Boylston Hall. He has also given the same discourse before the Franklin and other societies, with equal success and satisfaction. He illustrated the lecture by beautiful drawings and one transparency of Vesuvius in a state of eruption. Lastly, the doctor presented a miniature volcano, out of the crater of which, flame, sparks, smoke and ashes belched forth in terrible grandeur. On the whole, it was one of the best exhibitions, illustrative of the subject, we have ever witnessed. Pictures are poor things to represent burning cinders: the real brimstone odour, subterranean rumblings, vivid scintillations, and the explosions accompanying the corruscations of terrible light, convey a just idea of nature's mode of operation; and to us, who live in a quiet section of the world, where burning mountains are only known to exist on the pages of books, such a display as Dr. Jackson's was well calculated to excite the most intense degree of interest.

HIEROGLYPHICS.-The Hon. John Pickering is now giving his very learned lectures on the hieroglyphical language of the ancient Egyptians before the Boston Mercantile Association, at the Athenæum. The simplicity of this gentleman's mode of explaining the figures of animals, so as to make words and sentences, is truly admirable. We really wish it were possible for Mr. Pickering to visit that land of wonders, which was considered even old, when Herodotus visited the pyramids, two thousand years ago. With Champoleon's book in one hand, and his own vast store of philology, he is the man, above all others, who should travel up the Nile. Why has not some savan hinted this matter to the learned gentleman? It would indeed be a glory to our country, if Mr. Pickering could stand among the everlasting monuments with which he is so familiar.

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