Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-09-10

VERY IMPORTANT Discovery. The Government
has recently been appraised of the existence in large
quantities on our Southern coast of most valuable
article of commerce with China, not before known
to be obtainable here. We refer to what is known
in science Bicho demar. The Chinese call it Ire
pang. The attention of those in Washington whose
duty it is to that national resources de-
veloped as much possible, has been called to this
source of wealth by distinguished naturalist.
This article is called coasts the sea slug and
will be recognized unseemly jelly looking SUBJ
stance of dirty Thrown color, hard rigid, and scar
cey possessing any power of locOmotlon or appear
ance of animation, and varying in size from, say SIX
inches in length and two or three in girth to two
feet long and six eight inches girth, which may
always be found in very large quantities strewed on
the shore, between high and low water marks, on
our Southern coasts.
The Chinese use it as we do Iceland moss and is
ing glass; 1t is taken to them In immense quantities
from the tropical shores of Asia and Australia
ally 1t is caught by the hand in shallow water, and
usually Speared IN deeper water; and, after being
dried in the sun, it is smoked wood fire. when
it is ready for shipping Macassar is at present the
principal point from whence it is shipped to China
At that point, from which some eight or nine hun
dred weight are annually sent to China, its val
varies from So to $110 per picul (of 1884 lbsr)
according to quality there being some thirty diff
ferent qualities of the article which are only to be
distinguished by experts in the trade. The western
shores of New Guinea the southern shores of Aus
traa to Ceylon and latterly, the shores of Maurta
supply large quantities of it. Now, according to the
imports from China amount to 81, 0o5, IA, per
num- and exports to that country to but 81 1885,,
945; leaving the immense deficit of nearly S. 0OO'
900 per annum to be supplied in specie. Of these
exports, 81 1874 41S in manufactures of cotton
$13s 1874 in lead and 800 549 in ginsing rooD the
balance being made up of miscellaneous articles.
Lead and ginseng then are the only articles of pro-
duce of real Importance which we export to China
and in view of the heavy balance of trade with them
against us the discovery of the complete identity be-
tween our seas lug and the bicho de mar of Chinese
commerce is indeed of vast importance-mor eS
peciay it exists in such quantities on shores
as to render it almost impossible to walk Them
at low water, without treading upon it.
F
: A CoLoNY OF 700 LUNAT1cs At the late sitting
of the French Academy of Sciences a paper on In
sanity was read by its author, NJ Moreau, ofthe
physicians present The chief object of this pam
phlet is to recommend the adoption in France, as
regards pauper lunatics of the plan resorted to in
Belgium.
NJ. Moreau states that in the village of Gheel IN
that country, there is colony of not less than seven
hundred lunatics, who are treated upon so admira,
BILE a system that they are perfectly harmless, ana
live and labor with the same inhabitants whose ha6S
they acquire, and to which they become attached
that when cured they are frequently unwilling TO
quit the place. These lunatics are made useful III
agriculture and manufactures and consequently then
cost is small compared with that of ordinary unatGs
asylums The origin Of this colony dated far back
as the sixth century, and Is another verifcahOno
SUM- The mode of treating the lunatics at HanweI'
near London, was considered when first put in prac
tce, as novelty, and yet it was nothing but Inc
Gheel practice imperfecdy carried out. 1t is OILY
surprising that this improved mode of treatment
should have been deferred so long in England; anu
it is evident that It capable of great extension
in its application. Within the last few years ong
in that country, medical men have ascertaned inc
possibility of so CHASING and occupying lunatics as
render even the most violent of them comparanVeg
tranquil, and thus facilitating the curative process
chains, whips, and other means Of coercion KILL
ness and intelIig ence the part of the keepers
been substituted not only at Hanwen, but also :"
the Bethlehem Asylum
Some eighteen years ago. Romanism was the Ois %
religion tolerated by law in Texas. Now it has oU
churches % priests, literary institutions ana NO, n
estimated population of 80 600, while Protes ~ 900
which eighteen years ago was Illegal 9aS am Bap.
fists. 5000 Presby 900 EPiscopananSe
about sc, 900 adherents among the popuiatOn'