Thibodaux minerva., 1853-10-29
NATURAL CUR1os1rY.-The Smithsonian

Institution is in daily expectation of receiv'
ing two specimens of tho Gymnotus Eleetri-
Gus, or Electrical Eel, from the River Anna.
zon, which were shipped to New York to
D. D. Williamson, jr. Esq. of that city
We are enabled to quote from a private
letter of Mr.. Williamson 10 Prof Henry
which will show what is known about them
safer the great expense and trouble
that have been to in importing these eels,
earnestly hope they will reach you safely,
and that the experiments you may make
will prove interesting and valuable to your
self and the scientific world They leave in
fine order, and should recommend that
Immediately upon receipt they should be
placed near stove and be allowed TO
remain where the heat will be uniform.
Do not pour warm water upon them; as they
will die as soon as it becomes cool By
irritating them with a stick they will give
out their peculiar power in great force; this
will, however. become weak by constant tax,
but days rest will cause it to return as
usual. When cold and torpid it is scarcely
perceptible. They are in the water from
the Amazon, and it had better be changed
for river water, with sufficient quantity of
mud If they are very angry the electricity
will be communicated to the water, so that
shock may be obtained without touching
the eel"
Several attempts have been previously
made by Mr.. w. to import the Gymnotus,
but till now unavailingly.
Two live Eagles from Nebraska Territory
have also been recently received at the
institution. They are kept in board en-
closure a little south of the building.
NAsHvrLLE-Irs CAPIroL.-The editor of
the Charleston Advocate, in letter from
Nashville, thus speaks of the new building
now being erected by the State, in that city:
The Capitol, one of the most magnificent
buildings in the world. is now nearly COM
pleted. 1t is built of solid limestone, quar-
ried near the hill on which it stands, and
covers exactly an acre of ground. The
architecture is of the Ionic order and the
ornamental part exceedingly rich. Its roof
is Of Tennessee copper, and the platform for
the Speaker, of Tennessee marble. The
cost of the edifce is million of dollars.
From the base of the dome striking piano.
rama meets the eye. The city lies below
on a bend of the Cumberland river. At a
distance of hundred miles the blue peaks
of the Cumberland mountains rise above the
horizon. An amphitheatre Of hills sweeps
around the city. the population of which ap-
proaches twenty thousand. Coming down
from our noble "post Of observation," we
passed the house formerly occupied by Pre-
sident Polk. 1t lies at some distance from
the street, and has in front monument
erected over the remains of the late states
man. Many of the houses of the town are
built with elegance. 1t is the fashion to
paint in oil colors the brick houses, and these
colors being generally light drab, there is
an air of freshness which we miss in the
Charleston houses.
The GOLD MINES OF V1RG1N1A.-A writer
in the New York Tribune says that of the
paying gold mines in Virginia may be men,
TONED the Marshall mine, in Spottsylvania
county, on the Rappahannock river, twelve
miles from Fredericksburg. From this
mine some 100000 have been extracted
When last visited by the writer twenty
hands were employed. The yield was from
500 to $50 per day. The workings ex-
tended 10 depth of a hundred feet In
Fluvarna county, Commodore Stockton has
long been working mines. The yield OF
gold has been considerable, though it is
understood that large sums of money have
been spent upon machinery, which was
finally rejected. Very recently the mines
known as the Garnett and Mosely mines,
in Buckingham county, which have passed
through several hands, have finally been
purchased by ali English company, who are
working them. This tract contains 10000
acres, upon which are several veins. The
main vein, al depth Of llo feet IS Is feet
wide, and yields about $40 TO the ton.
Besides staff of engineers. they emyloy
seventy negroes. The daily yield we have
not learned. The London and Virginia Gold
and Copper Mining Company have pur-
chased property adjoining the above, and
known as the EIdridge Mine, for $15o,ooo.
EFFECTS OF ADvERr1s1NG.-The Charles
ton Courier, of a recent date, makes the
following sensible remarks in regard to the
indications of a paper we'll filled with mer-
camille advertisements. And we may be
pardoned in saying that it has much the
same effect upon the hejudgments and opinions