The Washington herald., 1910-09-04

lshed in great profusion on Spfzbergen.
says Count de Geer. the leader OF
Swedish geological expedition which has
just returned from an exploration trip
to that bleak and ice-bound island.
The expedition found geological strata
which are described by Count de Geer
as one colossal herbarium in a fossilized
state. They Justify the assumption that
In early periods the entire north polar re-
gion was one vast low-lying plain covered
with dense forest.
Evidences of the early vegetation now
present themselves in extensive coal de-
posits, which newly-formed company is
beginning TO work. 1t is expected that
$4,000 tons OF spitzbergen coal will be
shipped next year. To-day no plant grows
on Spitzbergen taller than an inch or two
at the most.
Michael Bari OF Budapest. has ad-
dressed a protest 70 the Hungarian Par
Lament against the lenient treatment
which has Of late been exended to pris-
oners convicted Of murder. AS he is the
public executoner the reason Of his ac-
ton is obvious.
Capital punishment has become so rare
in Hungary that he finds himself unen-
ployed for the greater part of the year.
AS he must live he has demanded either
regular salary or that there shall be
fewer reprieves.
Richard Occur de Lions tomb has, sc-
cordng TO the Paris Illustration, been
discovered in the ancient abbey at Fon-
tevrault. in France. Six Plantagent
princes, including two kings, we're known
20 have been buried in the abbey, but all
traces OF the tombs were lost.
NJ. Magne. inspector general OF historic
monuments in France, was commissioned
TO restore the abbey after it has ceased
recently 70 be used as prison. In clear
ing the nave OF the old church. NJ Magne
caused an old wall to be pulled down. and
then some curious figures were seen on
the original wall Of the transept They
consisted OF decorative motives, a golden
cross with twin branches on black back
ground, with an arch which still had
traces Of paintings representing a shield
and golden leopard. Below, with the
those Of Richard. Henry and Alienor.
on digging down deeper four sepulchers
were found, with the feet turned to the
east They were the tombs of Richard
Occur de Lion OF AlienOr. Henry II. and
Elisabeth. or Isabella. Of Angouleme. and
sculptured inscriptions served 10 identify
them. In making transformations In the
abbey IN the sixteenth century the build
ers had 10 cut or a portion Of the head
Of the tomb Of Henry II and they simply
placed the skull at the feet.
Paris is still feeling the effects OF the
January floods and in a particularly un-
pleasant manner. for three plaques have
settled down on the city, moths, feas.
and rats.
dealer in an anti-moth specific told
the correspondent that he never re-
membered such a busy season. Moths
seemed 20 be everywhere and their pres
ence was generally considered to be due
TO the floods
Fleas. OF course, are common enough all
the year round in Paris, but this year
the left bank OF the Seine has been in
vaded. and around the observatory quar-
ter. a particularly fashionable residential
part. some householders have been driven
to their wits end by the pests
Rats. too. are common in Paris. as any
one who has walked along the boulevards
after a. m. can testify. They come out
from the iron graungs around the base
OF the trees and scavenge the streets.
encouraged by the semi-dar6ness in which
even the best Paris streets are kept after
! o'clock. But this year the houses in the
center Of Paris and some parts Of Mont
parnasse are being overrun. The pro-
prietor Of a large beer house IN the Mont
parnasse quarter has had 10 invest IN two
good terriers, and a newspaper Office Just
Of the boulevards has had 70 call in a
rat expert. The floods are held RESPONSE (
be for this invasion also. but IL is thought
that the building OF the many subways
has had something 70 do with IL. as in
many cases sewers have had to be moved. !
The League for the Protection OF the
Horse. which exists in Paris. slight as
may seem the results It obtains. has been