The studies of Sir J. William Dawson on the Eozoic and Palæozoic rocks of the Atlantic coast of Canada have led him to a conclusion that, in the rocks from the Lawrentian to the Trias, a continuous parallelism exists on the two sides of the Atlantic, in mineral character and order of succession of aqueous deposits; in the occurrence of great earth-movements of elevation, depression, and plication, at corresponding times; in the ejection of like kinds of igneous rocks in connection with like members of the aqueous series; in the order of introduction and extinction of animals and plants; and in the specific identity of animals and plants in corresponding formations.
Prof. Williamson has reported, in the British Association, concerning some specimens of the fruiting of the Calamites of the coal-measures, which he regarded as demonstrating his opinion that these plants were equisetiform cryptogams.
The experiment of amalgamating the Indians with the surrounding population in Canada and inducing them to adopt a settled life has been most successful in Ontario, and in all cases the tribes show an increase in numbers. There are 124,539 Indians in the Dominion, of whom 37,944 are in British Columbia; 26,368 in Manitoba and the Northwestern Territory, 17,700 in Ontario, 12,465 in Quebec, 8,000 in Athabasca, 7,000 in the Mackenzie district, 4,016 in Eastern Rupert's Land, 4,000 on the arctic coasts, 2,145 in Nova Scotia, 20,338 in the Peace River district, 1,594 in New Brunswick, 1,000 in the interior of Labrador, and 319 in Prince Edward Island. The Indian schools are attended by 6,127 youth and girls, one half of them being in Manitoba and the Northwestern Territory.
Experiments by Mr. J. B. Francis, of the American Society of Civil Engineers, show that under a pressure of seventy-seven pounds per square inch, more than seventeen gallons of water per square foot of surface will pass through sixteen inches of cement in twenty-four hours. Thick brickwork laid in cement permitted a copious percolation of water under pressure.
"La Nature" has a commendatory notice of the display of American precious stones that has been arranged by Mr. George F. Kunz, of this city. It includes splendid specimens of native crystallized gold from California; diamonds; "incomparable" rubies, including one quite exceptional in color and limpidity, from Franklin, N. C.; sapphires of rare quality, emeralds, tourmalines, perfectly clear rock crystals, pcriodotites; amethysts of a deep, transparent violet; obsidian, gadolinite, and turquoises; also specimens of Indian jewelry-work, in which turquoises are used; "superb" specimens of pyrites, azurite, malachite, and amber are also mentioned.
Dr. Alfredo da Luy, of Rio Janeiro, believes that the climate of Brazil is degenerating to Europeans, especially to persons from the north. he has noticed that Brazilians in general are more pallid, and are less vigorous and energetic, than persons coming from temperate and cold climates, The degeneration of the Portuguese race may also be noted in Rio de Janeiro. An anæmic condition, caused by malarious influences, is common among them, and, while it does not kill by itself, weakens the hold on life and greatly increases the infant mortalty. The children of Portuguese and Italians do not seem to fare so badly as the children of parents coming from more northern countries.
According to Dr. Macgowan, it is believed in India, China, and Indo-China that a cobra that escapes an attack from a man will eventually revenge itself upon its assailant, whatever he may do or wherever he may go. The Chinese believe, too, that the killer of a cobra will be haunted afterward by its spirit, hence the snakes are shunned rather than attacked. Among the stories by which this superstition is enforced, is one of a snake-spirit which, entering into possession of the slayer of the reptile, used its voice to curse him until he was relieved by death. Stories are also given of the gratitude of snakes. The recently established native newspapers of China are full of accounts of popular superstitions, prodigies, tales, monstrosities, etc., illustrating the folk-lore of the country.
"The Lancet" observes that it has been frequently remarked that genius and insanity are sometimes combined in the same person or in closely connected members of the same family; but it is not easy to trace the connection between those mental conditions and the sinful or criminal acts that are apt to be committed by persons so organized. The medical profession recognizes forms of affection or moral insanity in which the capacity to govern the emotions is in abeyance. A marked feature of this phase of mental disease is the absence of delusions; and from that fact conflict often arises between the medical and legal aspects when the question of criminality has to be taken into consideration.
Prof. Steenstrup has given an account, to the Scientific Society of Copenhagen, of the results of his examination of a great mammoth deposit at Predmost, in Moravia. Dr. Wankel and Prof. Maschka believe that the animals were killed by man and brought to the district to be eaten. Prof. Steenstrup believes that they came to the place of themselves, and died from some cause with which man had nothing to do. But, in maintaining his position, he has to account for some of the bones being split, for their bearing marks of fire, and for decorative lines having been scratched upon them.
