The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-09-26
Science.

A letter to the New York Times, dated Lon.
don, September II, gives " sketch of the
meeting of the British Association for the Adj
rancement of Science recently held at Dundee,
Scotland. We extract the following para
graph from this sketch
There was u luminous paper on the dis
ease of the grouse in the Scottish moors. II
is an epidemic, and comes Of shooting buZ-
yards. When there were buZzards they lived
on grouse but they could only catch the
weaker ones-the stronger escaped, and the
race by that means became strong and
healthy, and able to resist epidemic diseases.
Now, the stronger birds, which rise first, are
killed by the sportsmen, and the weaker ones
propagate weaker race, which cannot resist
climatic, telluric, or other obscure diseasin
influences. Beasts and birds Of prey keep up
the standard of vigor in animal races"
I'VE put this in the Dispatch more for the
novelty of the idea than for any importance
that attaches TO it, We do not understand
what the writer means by g buZZards." i
those in England catch birds that are alive
they differ from any other {" buZzards' WE
ever heard of. If by buZzard he means
hawk" then he is in danger of giving great
offence to the american eagle" who is
prince among hawks, and would, no doubt
play havoc either among g English grouse y
or Englishmen" if he should be uncaged
amongst them.
do not remember in what connection, 4 curl.
fact respecting pauperism. The English
OF the lowest class dread more than hunger,
thirst, or pakedness, cold water. They never
come in contact with it, internally or eNter-
nally, if they can help it, In Oxford the pau
pers, presume Of the casual class, have been
reduced from 5000 in given period to 800 by
making relief depend upon a thorough wash
Ilt,t Rritt S1, AEsn pfn N
ascertain what became of the 200 unwashed
As far rs appears, they only went on to some
less clearly parish If all the sturdy hydro
phobists would emigrate or 60 to work, it
might be well to make the washing rule uni
yersI.
The ethnologists say the oldest pyramid in
Egypt is 1927 years old The dawn of human
history goes back TO 5000 years. Now, judging
by the progress of mankind since he began to
write history, IL must have taken at least
1900 years 10 come to that operation so the
human race or races must be 0,000 years old .
but why it is fixed 1t 10000 rather that $4,000
or 5000 know not. Professor Hunt does not
believe that men are descended from MONKEYS
because he cannot find the missing link be-
tween Professor Owen and the gorilla, but he
Henies the unity Of the race, since, during the
historic period, 10 white race has become
negro and no negro race white \
Ahu they nave discussed, besides the mat.
.eas mooSe mentioned, the finding Of a split
ta~as - 10y: III u cave In Cornwall among
zones OF extinct British quadrupeds Tbis
marrow, bone has been u bone OF contention
among the Philosophers bone TO pick. Was
nSpiit oy man TO get out the marrow, or hy
beast? One philosopher took several hun,
dred marrow. bones TO the beasts OF tho 70.
illogical Gardens in London, and not one nj
them was split in this fashion. The Inference
Is irresistible that this bone must have been
spit by pre- historic man who lived in Eng.
iahd contemporary with the elephants and
nyenas Next year there is to be an Iuterna.
tIohai Ere Historic Congress in London when
TT az the mint spear heads, bone tools, and re-
~, VI she ages Of stone and bronze in the
;,,.' .lsh and other museums will be thoroughly
lice c.nSssa, provided sufficient body of po-
ooMes OF belligerent professors.
Tho ,nns, n lubbock, now recognized MS one OF
siSts A, ,., ois'iaguished British anthropolo.
History OF Ciyil!zation.' All men en- ' he
thinks, were originally sayages some races
have risen 10 civilization, some have remained