The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-11-01 00:00:00

Miscellaneous fltelligence,
HOKE, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL

THE POTATO BUG.-It is now stated that the
"potato bug," which a year or two ago frightened our
isle from its propriety, and WtlEl honoured with a special
Act of Parliament, has its uses, The fresh powder of
the insect yields, we are told, about one and-a-third
per cent. of pure cantharidin, which is a large product,
so that it is likely to be used as a cheap source of that
drug.—lron.
THE CHOLERA IN JAPAN.—A Paris paper gives
some particulars of the ravages of cholera in Japan.
The epidemic appeared last April in the district of
Ehime, where the tombs of soldiers who fell victims
to it in 1877 had been opened, partly for religious rites
and partly for the more becoming interment of men
hastily buried during the war. In a week 45 out
of 65 cases proved fatal. It extended to other points,
and at Osaka it is not uncommon to see persons fall
down in the streets struck by it. In July it was
reported at Tokio, the capital, and also at Yoko-
hama, and in some western towns the epidemic has
assumed provortions which it may be hoped will
not be exceeded. Up to the 17th of August the
total number of cases of cholera throughout Japan
was 76,598, of which 41,915 had proved fatal, 9,789
had recovered, and the remainder were still under
treatment. Up to the end of September the number
had reached 100,000. The Government has exerted
itself to the utmost by establishing hospitals, forbid-
ding the sale of unripe fruit (which the Japanese are
accustomed to eat), and quarantine regulations.

_
" SILENCE Is GOLDEN."—Guileless Young Whist-
Player (regarding his hand meditatively—a spade
having been turned up). "I wonder why—ah—the
duty on cards is only threepence ! I "—[Electrical effect
on the other three old stagers !—Pusecis.
ANCIENT REMAINS.—During the last few weeks the
workmen engaged in making a road near Colberg, in
Pomerania, found several indications that they were
in the neighbourhoed of an ancient burial place. The
proprietor of the site, Herr von Kamecke, being soli-
citous for the preservation of any remains which might
be found, had some excavations made under proper
control. Twenty urns were found • most of them had
been shattered by the penetration Of roots of trees and
other causes, so that some of their contents only could
be rescued. However, three large and two smaller
urns were saved, either quite uninjured, and two other
large ones were taken up much shattered. The con-
tents of the urns consisted chiefly of a sort of glass.
beads, sings and needles of bronze, and some small
fragments of bronze wire. One iron needle and two
Iron rings were also found. All the things saved have
been handed over to the Pomeranian Historical and
Antiquarian Society.
THE SUPPLY OF AMERICAN AND CANADIAN FOOD.
—There was a great increase in the imp -rtation of
fresh meat at Liverpool from America last week, while
the number of cattle showed a marked decline, Past,
years have proved that when the winter months ap-
proach and the turbulent weather sets in, it is unad-
visable to bring across the Atlantic large consignments
of live animals, as notwithstanding the increased
facilities for transit the chances of excessive mortality
are very great, Fresh meat, on the other hand, is
conveyed in much increased quantities. With live
'stock only four vessels arrived at Liverpool, bringing
collectively 618 head of cattle and 1,743 shefp, being
below the figures of the preceding week. No fewer
than nine steamers reached the Mersey with fresh
msat, their toll ceneigpments amounting to 7,580
quarters of fresh 'heat, 1,522 carcases of mutton, and
150 dead pigs, against 1,388 quarters of beef, 423 oar-
cases of mutton, and 150 dead pigs in the former week.