The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-01-17
FOREIGN SCIENCE.
mint Instrumente,

Two papers have been addressed to the
Paris Academy of Sciences on fossil remains
aud flint instruments The first IS from NJ
Husson, who says that new excavations made
at the first entrance to the Labyrinth
(Trous de sainte-Reine) have convinced him
OF the post Alpine nature of the superficial clay
contained therein. hfS
The real Alpine drift only begins at a depth Of
two met. fifty cent, while the superficial stra-
tum, containing fossil bones of the bear, GER
tRinly was disturbed by man at a comparatively
recent period, since ashes and organic remains
OF moss and leaves are met with there; here also
were found the impression of human face, and
an amulet made of the antlers OF either the
stag or reindeer He considers il certain that
the bear and hyena survived the period of the
Alpine drift, since the bones OF these animals
exist in the undisturbed strata. Nevertheless,
there are in these caverns a few passages en-
tirelY filed with what M. Ellie de Beaumont calls
terTdins meubtes sur des pentes, or shifting soil
situated on dechvities. In the undisturbed
parts OF this NJ. Hudson has found numerous
portions of the jaws of bears and hyenas, q
remnant OF the jaw-bone of horse and nume-
rous bones of the hippopotamus, rhinoceros,
stag, and reindeer. Some OF these bones were
split lengthwise and bore traces OF the teeth
and claws of carnivora; but one of the most
curious specimens brought to light was frag-
gether in a stafagmitic conelomerate. %
The second paper was sent in by NJ. Simonin
On certain flint instruments found in Central
America, and especially in the vicinity of
Panama. In 1859 number of Indian tombs
were discovered in the environs of the gold
placer OF Chlrqui. Some of the Indians buried
there had been gold-seekers, and their imple-
ments, and even some large nuggets, we're put
into the tomb with them. The implements
were:-FFSt, q chlsel TO cut the metal With
second, punch; and third, several buruishers
The chisel was triangular, 80 centmetres broad
and 104 in length. The punch was 75 cent?.
metres in length, L. in breadth, and still bore
traces Of GOLD ho
were mere smooth pebbles of the size Of a
pigeons egg.
Tuning-FOrISs.
NJ. Niaudet-Breguet has described an appa-
ratus of his for prolongng the vibrations of the
tunlDg-fork by means of clock-work; NJ. Du-
hamel, and other philosophers after him, having
used the tuning.fork as a means of measuring
small intervals of time The new contrivance
consists OF an apparatus producing isochronous
oscillations, and com monation of wheels acting
upon the other part by means OF an escapement.
The tuning-fOrk regulates the motion of the
Wheels which in their turn give the tuning
fork slight shock, necessary to prolong is
oscillations. The inventor thinks that his con.
trivanCe Will be found useful in chTonoscopic
experiments.
Shooting Stars.
At a recent meeting Of the Paris Academy of
Sciences, "a paper was received from NJ. Edm.
GuIlleman, who, on the 18th of November last
observed the phenomenon of shooting stars off
the Island OF Florez, the northernmost of the
Azores The horizon was covered with mar
row band Of clouds up 10 about 10 degrees.
from behind this band a series OF fiery trains
were seen issuing. apparently from the same
point, and bearing some resemblance to those
OF a rocket. Most of these trains passed
through the zenith, presenting the most ad-
mirable spectacle. The average time em ployed
in crossing over from one horizon to The other
was about six seconds.
Wasps.
physician OF Bordeaux has made a dis
coyery in regard TO the wasp. GdiigaaRj re.
ports it as tollows:--
The wasp Is stated 10 be declared enemy TO
all poisonous flies, the sting of which causes
Carbuncle; 1t also destroys an immense quantity
of minute worms that get into fruit and when
introduced INTO the stomach may cause great
and even diseases. Lastly, our
Bordeaux practitioner asserts that the sting of
the wasp is O sovereign remedy for rout
scatica and rheumatism. This may no doubt
be explained by the principle of counter irrita-
ton; but how does he apply this remedy? It
seems that this is his secret, which he is not
willing TO diVul2e. Let us, however, hence
forward d@sist from destroying an insect which.
however annoying, renders us some useful SER
yices.
Dead of a Needle-A few DAYS since a tailor