The Washington union., 1857-11-25
LOCAL. NEWS.

Tss s,ss,y,sroS,Nx Aogxssus IA tine marine AQUA
viyarum on 2qariu has been prepared at the smith
sonian Insdtution where the public now inspect It's
curious contents II y said that eminent French noo
ogist in order 10 sosecate his studies the marine am
inias Of the MediterrAnsan provided himself with
proof dress glass helmet and breathing bs that
he might walk about under water, and mark the habits
Of the yArious creatures pursuing their avocatons Any
one who will visit the Smithsonian aquarium can ENJOY
the same opportunities and become acquainted with the
strange animals and plants Of the without diving to
gaze them -, a. t, u "a 80 .os i. A. n 80
The aquarium is simply gss tank erected table,
and filed with sea water In which flourish marine plants
and anab without any aid or even changing the water
All that Is necessary is to maintain such balance be
tween the animal and the vegetable exstsces thai the
ono shall exactly sustain the vital functions Of the other
Vegetation, under the stimulus Of light produces pure
oxygen and a. this h the vivifying principle Of animal
e easy perceive that the vegetable and the an-
NAL rospiatons counterbalance each other. .l slsi
The bottom OF the Smithsonian aquarium Is imitation
Of the bottom Of the composed Of silver sand coarse
and and pebbles In the centre is nass OF rock Civ
ing shelter aud conceAnent To such anius as Hike con
ceansnt while otted about growing specimens oi Fs
aud 44 Ia this minatue ocean cave are about three
hundred specimens Of animal vitality belonging TO
thirty eight species OF fishes Mollusca crnstace aud
Polypes some Of these brow in the sand modestly
hide among the pebbles Others, like the hermit crabs
ihaying taken possesion Of vacant suits of sabnarne
arnlor) Rourish about bellgerently ready for fight
Some perfectly transparent like animated PARTICLES of
IjeIly others are enshrned in their thick shels The
curious ''horse fish paddles about with his fny dorsa
fin and ethargic clan, protudes its sphons, enye
oped IN shaggy fringe solitary ''foundcr was eyi
IDENTIFY annoy ed when rooted out and Immediately bur
rowed himself again In the sand; while two pugnacious
crabs fought gslanty over ompha,te oEicona which
had l,ea, obl that
den combs. 8r3T ,.,ss 5g y H.F aaeas8aa4s I'D
1t is next to impossible though, to give idea Of the
inhabitants Of the Smithsonian aquarium, and we adj
wise all who can to pay it visit. 1t will repay them
for the trouble and will add to their stock of useful in
formation Our thanks especially due to Mr. stimp
son. who kindly explained the wonders congregated by
his skill
CRAwFoRps 5 SrATuARy.---Ihe following handsome mo-
tice of the Cmwford pediment for the Capitol Exten
sion is from recent number of the London Athenaum
Crawford is more and the visitors who gaze with adj
mration at his works say in the language of the
legend upon the tomb of Sir Christopher Wren in ST.
PauIs Cathedral Lscor 81 mounetum reqaaris eirean-
qice sIf you seek his monument, look around
"Tle pedment for the Capitol at Washington, which
memoriazes the progress of civilization IN America is
feet long eight feet high In the centre
is figure Of America Of heroic sze her feet on wave
beaten rock the sun behind her. hand Is outstrech
Su
figures carved and draped from the life the backwoods
man with his hatchet hewing the tree about to fall "a
snake is dartng out defantly; then follows an Indian
groupdying chief, squaw and pappoose, and red men
sauatting around, and pass to warrior hgures,
sword In hand emblematic of the revolution mer-
chant prince seated bale, turning over globe, Illus
trates historic period pair Of school boys arm
in arm ewes clate and limbs full of action and last the
salwart mechanic reclining the emblem Of ttansat
| lantic restlessness and rapidity the wheel, "A
L
in hand goods has been sentenced to ten months
imprisonment the house of correction for having pur
chased number Of books which, it proved, had been
stolen from the editorial room Of the Boston Courier. Sew
era witnesses testified that the books sold to Jen
kns by two young men, who stated that they retr
ing from the periodical ard book business But Judge
RUSSELL in summing up, took the ground that the re-
ceiver was worse than the thief and sentenced Abah
| accordingly. aH'4a' a3 "a .gre
We mention this case, the pering Of books espe-
cally of public documents is carried TO great extent
in Washington. Books taken from public libraries and
from private individuals often exposed for SALE
Let those who purchase books from thieves beware
| Justice may overtake them also. z.ss
| ARRIVAL OF CAPITOL FuRSTuRE-The members desks
for the hall of the House Of Representatives, num-
berng two hundred and sxtytwo Gncluding the speci
men heretofore sent arrived yesterday, per schooner
Il
desks are Messrs Doe Hazeon, Co., of that city In
executing this order they had hundred and sixty
hands at work about three months The desks are
structed of native oak elaborey carved and of the
natural color part Of the seats for the hall have
also arrived per railroad from manufacturers in New
York. the remainder being daily expected from manu-
acturers In Philadelphia. These seats saunch
| chairs, with cushions cover ed with red morocco.
! CoINorDENcE.--As Capt Hudson, Of the Niagara"
left the of Secretary Toucey, where he had been to
report his return from the attempt to lay the submarine
telegraphic cable, he met by Lieut. Bergman who
had sounded the route and the two soon joined
by Cyrus w. Field, esq, of New York, who has
getcally labored in the great work OF connecting Eng
| land and the United States by telegraph. Hsa
! The LronT INrASrRY's BALI. Military gentlemen who
were present the ball at Carusis Monday evening
speak in high terms of the in which they
cued various and the manual of arms, under
command of Captain Davis. The ball brilliant and
| successful -fE # sass a
| Hon James T.. Orr of South Carolina arrived in this
| city yesterday. He is stopping at Browns Hotel
MARRIED,
In city oath Instant, by Rev. JoHs MKEK WIN
PAYNE King county COLUMBIA NEW
eldest daughter Of Lieut. owAy sRayaAS, Unied States
| navy. I'D aje J3 i4Bt aaE eide
| III 4Iasa3 u
\