The Express.
London, England, 1861-09-05 00:00:00

ELEVZN YOUNG OSTRICHES HATCHED A?

MARSEILLES.

Since the French occupation of Algeria ostriches
have been conveyed thence to France in great numbers ;
but, until the instance now to be recordel,a brood had never
been produced in France. It is very difficult, under the ne-
cessary restniiut of a zoological prden, to supply the 1380011-
sary conditions for bringing about this result. The attempt
had been frequently made to do so in the Zoological Gar-
dens of Marseilles. but as frequently failed. Even last
year, notwithstanding the care devoted to the ostriches in
that establishment, though eggs were laid in plenty, no
young ostriches could be hatched. The director, 3,1. Suquet,
however, was not to be foiled. Failing to accomplish
what he desired in the gardens, he bethought him-
self of trying what could be done out of them. In
the territory of Montredon he selected a sandy
plain, situate between the sea and the mountains which
form the south-east of the gulf of Marseilles. The spot
belongs to 31. Pestle, who kindly gave the necessary co-
operation. There a large 'minded valley was fixed upon,
sufficiently wooded to afford shelter, without intercepting
the sunshine necessary for quickening the eggs. After
having enclosed a space 600 metres long by 50U wide, the
birds were conveyed to their hatching ground on March 2
of this year. For a few days the birds seemed to regard
their new quarters wish suspicioo, and ran anxiously about.
Soon, however, they settled themselves and began laying.
Their nest was at first a simple excavation in the sand,
in the form of a truncated cone. Gradually the borders of
this hole were heightened byMecumuhitioos of more mad.
At this labour the male and female bird worked alternately.
A few hours sitar the completion of the nest, laying began,
and was continued every alternate day, until, by the 26th
of April, 15 eggs had been deposited. Up to this time the
hen guarded the nest • few hours before and after incubi..
thin, sometimes for a whole day. After April 20, however,
the male bird commeuced taking his spell of watching, the
lady only seeing to the household during periods when her
lord and neater was temporarily absent from home. All
seemed to go on satisfactorily. According to observations
made by M. Hardy, at Algiers, the time of incubation
should be from 56 to 60 days. Knowing this, M. Suquet
was surprised when, on June 3, Intelligence came that the
first young ostrich had opened its eyes to sunshine on
French soil. By the evening eleven had been hatched. On
the day following the young birds left the nest and began to
wander over their enclosure, guided alternately by paps
and mamma, who spared no trouble in this their first walk-
iog lesson. During these excursions one bird always lin-
gered a little behind. It was weak and soon died. thus re-
ducing the number of the young family to tea. They went
on growing rapidly, so that by the Bth of this month
(August) they were as big as young turkeys, giving every
promise of arriving in due time at the years of discretion,
and contributing for many a season to the graade knee of
many a fair Parisienne.

Mr. J. 8. PheniS has been lecturing at the Poly-
technic on an invention which it is hoped may reduce the
risk incurred by the mining population. It is • new kind
of fuss invented by Mr. N'ictor of Cornwall, and patented
by himself and Captain Polghai. It combines steady com-
bustion under intense pressure, with security from accidental
ignition, being encased in metal, is impervious to water,
sad vs eff very little smoke while burning.
THZ PAILLCHERNHIP Or LIN(X)LN'S-INN.—Sezeral
distinguished clergymen are already on the list of candidates
for the preachership of Lincoln's-inn, which will shortly
become vacant by the elevation of br. Thomson to the
episcopal bench. When lir. Anderson resigned the appoint-
ment in 1656 there was a strong contest for it, Dr. Thomson
heading the poll by a small majority over Archdeacon Otter
and Dr. Goulburn. It is very currently reported that one
of the writers in "Relays and Reviews" will be • candidate
for the preachership with fair chances of emcees. The
appointment rests with the benches, about 60 in number,
and the election is expected to take place about the middle
of November.

Ting RZPRFARNTATION OF PLYMOUTH. —The death
of the Earl of Mount.Edgmambe creates a vacancy in the
representation of Plymouth. Lord Valletort, who succeeds
to the pee was elected by a considerable majonty at the
last general on ia 1859 on the conservative interest.
CRYSTAL PALACR.—Tho Crystal Palace flower and
fruit show commenced yesterday. Notwithstanding the dry
hot weather, the show was a great success. The dahlias
were very numerous, sod every variety seemed to be
well represented. The amateurs muttered in great force,
particularly in class 5, for twelve varieties, and it would be
difficult to beat those for which the first and second prizes
were awarded. The fancy dahlias were also very good.
Some very fine seedling dahlias were shown. The German
asters were remarkably good, and the French eaten were
the largest class ever shown at the Crystal Palace. There
was a fine display of hollyhocks in spikes and single blooms;
a large collection of verbenas of vary choice varieties ;
gourd display of gladiolas of the choicest and newest kinds.
Mr. Bull exhibited acollection of nowand rare plants. Messrs.
Cutbush and Son sent a collection of Tritoma Celina. A
very pretty collection of cut flower' was exhibited by Mr.
Patey, and some fine specimens of artificial dahlias and
other flowers by Mrs. Stoddart. Six pots of vines in fruit,
together with peaches, nectarines, Sc., were exhibited by
Sir J. Paxton, the plants having been grown in his " glue
houses for the minus." Messrs. Lane sod Son sent a col-
lection of 40 fruit trees in pole. The collection of fruit
was very numerous and good, urticularly the pines, grapes,
melons, peaches, nectarines,dessert and kitchen apples,
plums, and cherries. The show will be continued this day.
RERSFORD MUSICAL FESTIVAL.—We remind our
readers that this festival, the 138th meeting of the thrt e
choirs of Worcester, Gloucester, and Hereford, is to take
place in the latter city next week, viz., on the 10th and
three following days of fleptember. The sopranos are
Miss Louis Pyse, Madlle.Tietjens, and Madame Weiss ;
the contraltos, Madame Ssinton Dolby and Miss Fyne.;
the tenors, Mr. Sims Reeves, Mr. Montem Smith, and
Signor Giuglini ; and the buses, Mr. Weiss and Mr. Wien.
Maille. Tietjens is aligned for the evening performances
only. hut she gives her services for the Requiem, so
that the visitors on the " selection" morning will have
an opportunity of hearing her, and in oue of the grandest
of works. The oratories will be entirely in the bands of
English vocalists—a fact which gives us great satisfaction.
The evening programmes present remarkable attractions.
For the first time at one of these festivals, a chamber con.
cert will be given. Mr. G. Townehend Smith is announced
as usual in his double capacity of conductor and secretary.
The orchestra and chorus have both been exceedingly well
chosen, and such patronage has already been promised foe
the festival as almost to ensure its success. —Worcester
Chronicle.

OPENIRO OF THE NEW MIDDLE TEMPLE LIBRARY.
—The opening of the above elegant building by his Royal
Highness the Prince of Wales will take place early in Octo-
ber, on which occasion the bon. the Inns of Court Rifles
will form the guard of honour to his royal highness. Pre-
piu-ations are being made on an extended scale for a grand
demonstration, as a large attendance of the nobility and
gentry is anticipated, and the event is looked forward to
with considerable interest.

GARIBALDI NOT 001140 TO ARRRICA.—The Waeh-
ington correspondent of the Philadelphia Press says `• There is no truth in the reports that Garibaldi proposes to
help us out of our troubles. A gentleman here, personally
acquainted with Garibaldi and his eon, received a letter from
the latter a few days ago, in which the son says he desired
himself to come out and take part in the struggle now going
ou hero for liberty, and that his f►ther objected on the
ground that ours was a family quarrel, and could be settled
more easily without foreign interference than with it, end
that it IMP bailed upon a political question in which the na-
tions were not interested, and in the settlement of which
they could nut become parties. These are now the views
and sentiments of Garibaldi se expressed by his son in pri•
rate correspondence of very late date."
THI AMAZON.—The attempts made to raise this
yacht from her position off Ryde-pier yesterday, by sling-
mg her to two steamers, were without success. The trial
will be resumed to-day with lumps from the dockyard. The
owner has turned her over to the steampacket company
whose boat ran into and sunk her, Re claims 2,5001. as
compensation for her loss.