To this we may add the fact, that rude stone implements have been found in the ‘glacial drift’ in New Jersey, United States, and that some geologists regard this as proof that man lived on the earth during that far-back, dreary, and cold glacial period.
In the course of the admirable surveys of their wide-spread territory carried on by authority of the United States government, discovery has been made of strange and interesting remains of habitations, implements, and pottery of a long-departed and forgotten people, who once occupied the region about the head-waters of the San Juan. Photographers and geologists among the surveying parties have by means of pictures, drawings, and descriptions produced a Report, which will in due time be published at Washington. Meanwhile models of the ancient ruins have been constructed in plaster, and compared with the dwellings of certain Indian tribes in New Mexico and Arizona; and these latter, with allowance for contact with Europeans, are at once recognised as bearing traces of the dwellings of the forgotten people. ‘Forgotten,’ says an American contemporary, ‘because the builders of the modern structures are as ignorant of the ancient builders as we are ourselves.’
A correspondent suggests that the ‘stencils’ produced by Edison’s Electric Pen might be used as communications for blind people, whose sensitive fingers would, he thinks, feel out the meaning of the very slight roughness of the surface of the paper occasioned by the punctures. Why does he not try the experiment? Meanwhile we mention that a naturalist in New York has produced a Catalogue of Diatomaceæ by means of the Electric Pen, and published it in quarto form for private distribution.
Another correspondent informs us that the horse-shoe described in the Month (July 1877) as brought into use in Philadelphia with satisfactory results, was invented in England in 1870 by Mr C. J. Carr. A statement printed in 1874 sets forth that the shoe is made of malleable iron in such a way ‘as to allow of the natural growth of the frog while completely shielding the foot. On the face of the shoe is a hollow semi-circular cavity, which is filled with a pad of hemp and tar; and as no calkins or spikes are required, one of the dangers incident to roughing is entirely obviated.’ We wish success to any one who will persevere in applying common-sense and kindness to the shoeing of horses.
The Japan Daily Herald of 31st January states that when the telephone was brought under the notice of the Japanese government, Mr Ito, the (native) Minister of Public Works, at once ordered experiments to be made. These were carried out by Mr Gilbert, Telegraph Superintendent-in-chief to the Japanese government, and formerly of Edinburgh. The experiments were so satisfactory that they were followed by the establishment of telephonic communication between the police stations in the metropolis and between the Emperor’s palace and the various government departments. When the Public Works Department and the palace were first put in telephonic union, the Emperor and Empress were present, and expressed great surprise at the result. The English newspaper, in recording this fact, adds, ‘As well their Majesties might;’ and it proceeds to speculate whether the Chinese, who have opposed telegraphs and railways, will ‘give ear to the telephone.’ No great expectation appears to be entertained that the Chinese will do anything of the kind.
TWO HEARTS.
(Suggested by the picture ‘In Memoriam.’)
In the sunlight, darting, dancing,
Birds amid the green leaves glancing,