Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-07-08
Chips ano Clippings.

INTERESTING DIsCovERIEs.--The New Or
leans Delta says, DIR. NJ. Dickinson, Of the Acad-
envy Of Sciences, who was sent from Phiadel-
pha for the purpose Of investigating the geolo-
gy Of the Valley of the Mississippi, is now in
that city. His discoveries have opened new
paths for the nominations of the student in this
important science, and reflected well earned
honors on himself Very lately DR.. Dickinson
made tour of inspection through that portion
of Alabama in which abounds the rotten lime.
stone formation. This is particularly the case
in the vicihitics of Clark Washington, aud Clai-
borne counties, in that State. Heretofore this
formation has been considered by geoogsts as
detritus from shells, &C., but by the power of
glasses it has proved to be entirely different
Dr. Dickinson informs us that it is huge coral
reef, where gigantic branches shoot up several
feet into beautiful arborescent form in its orig
ina bed Of the ptimcva ocean. AT its base are
the fossil remains of the huge zugodon, shark
fishes, &C., many of the former from forty to one
hundred feet long, winding in serpentine form
among the coral. Below this were found the re-
mains of an extensive sea, the bottom of which
was lined with bed of shells, varying FROM
twenty TO thirty feet, in fine state Of preserva-
ton These beds yielded n great variety of
shells, many of which may be still found in our
present seas, and hence must have been of com
paratlvely recent formation. Below this was
found huge oyster bed, !mbedded in blue mari
or clay, in their original position. Some Of these
oysters measure fifteen inches in length, ard
weighed from ten to fifteen pounds. Succeeding
this stratum were found the bottoms of several
ancient seas, lakes, and rivers, all yielding nu-
merous fine FOSSILS Many Of these fossils Dr.
Dickinson has forwarded to the Academy of
Natural Sciences in Philadelphia.
Among the latest productions Of Yankee inge-
nuity is machine for pegging boots by water.
1t was invented at Wobutn Mass, where it is
soon TO be put in practical operation.
A man never knows what he can do until
thrown upon himself. The father of Noah Web
ster gave him, after he had graduated at Yale
College, an 8 dollar Continental BILL and told
him that he "must take care of himself" The
same man thus thrown upon his own resources,
hes left behind him name that will be renem-
bered as long as the English language is spoken
or read.
A youth, who, it is ch1ritably presumed, had
never "seen an elephant" recently found himself
in the company of three young ladies', and gen.
erously divided orange between thom. "You
will rob YOURSELF" exclaimed one of the damsels
Not at all" replied our innocent, 81 hare three
or four more in my pocket"
MARRIAGE BRoKER.-One F. Bollard, NJ D..
advertises himself in New York as marriage
broker, " for the purpose of facilitating persons
of both sexes in dischargng their duty 10 society
and themselves, by forming acquaintance of re
specablty, &c, for marriage"
PuNs.-lart of mans coat is the Tail, but
he who made It is the tailor. Twelve dozen of
eggs is Gross but lie who sells them is groc-
err. He who never makes Bet, so far, is good
man, but he who does, is better. He who new
er writes is i'll the Right, but he who does, is the
Writer.
There is this difference between happiness
and wisdom. He that thinks himself the happi-
est man is really so, but he that thinks himself
the wisest is generally the greatest fool.
A man in Essex county, N. j., has been fined
$50, and sent to the State Prison for one year,
for mutiatng fruit trees.