Page:The New Monthly Magazine - Volume 033.djvu/90

80 crease 2 millions in 10 years—1830, inhabitants, 17,000,000; increase 2½ millions in 9 years. Marriages, 1801, 67,228; 1821, 96,883. Baptisms, 1801, 237,029; 1821, 343,660. This statement shows since 1795, when the Poor Laws first came into full operation, the population is nearly doubled. At the present rate of progress, in 1890 the inhabitants of this island will that exceed sixty millions.

Fossil Remains.—M. Roué, in the "Journal de Geology," says, that although we find scarcely any fossil remains of plants in the several limestone strata, yet it does not necessarily follow that the vegetation of the globe at the period when these rocks were formed was suspended; but, on the contrary, that vegetation ought to have flourished peculiarly when no revolution occurred to retard or destroy it, and such period of repose is indicated by the want of arenaceous deposits. If convulsions had taken place, we should have found traces of them in these strata. The differences between the vegetation of the different deposits of land plants may, perhaps, depend on the intermediate ones being wanting, or on the periods of repose in the transport of the beds. It is quite certain that the primitive climates underwent changed during the formation of the respective strata, although neither clay nor sandstone deposits might take place, and a comparison of different fossil remains shows a striking difference even in two neighbouring epochs. We are, therefore, led to infer, that there has been a gradual succession of the animal creation, according to the peculiar adaptation of circumstances to the production of animal or vegetable life on the surface of the globe; but there is nothing to lead us to the conclusion that any great catastrophe, at any period, destroyed the vegetation of the whole globe, though partial interruptions repeatedly occurred in given districts during the deposit of the geological series.

Migration of Shell Fish.—According to a short notice in the last number of "The Edinburgh Philosophical Journal," the common cockle was so abundant on a part of the French coast, near Colleville, Normandy, in the years 1823-4, that, on stirring the sand with the foot, these fish would rise all around the impression of the foot in vast numbers; but that in March 1825, scarcely any were to be found on the sands within the distance of three miles."—[Might not this "migration" of animals, that have scarcely a vestige of locomotive powers, be explained by supposing the bed of cockles to have been covered by an additional layer of calcareous earth, and thus become gradually converted into shell limestone, or marle?]

French Porcelain.—From the year 1810 to the year 1814, a beautiful piece of porcelain, called "The Tablet of the Marshals," which was placed in the Museum at Paris, attracted the attention of all the amateurs of the arts. The painting upon it was considered to be Isabey's masterpiece. It was a monument to the glory of the warriors who contributed to the triumphs of the memorable campaign of Vienna. In the midst was Napoleon on the throne; from which emanated rays, bearing the names of the various battles fought before the victory of Austerlitz. Between these rays were the portraits of twelve of the French Marshals. On the restoration of the Bourbons, this magnificent work was expelled from the Museum. It is now the property of an individual in Paris, who has offered it for sale.

Gold Mine.—The Charlestown Gazette announces the discovery of a gold-mine in South Carolina, which is so productive that it employs about five hundred workmen. The metal is said to be of singular purity.

Antediluvian Remains.—(St. Petersburgh, Nov. 16.) Last May there were discovered in the circle of Daniloff (government of Jaroslaff) the bones of a quadruped, which appears to have been of the largest species of antediluvian elephants, and whose length, including the neck and head, may be estimated (judging by these bones) at about thirty-two feet. One of the great teeth (tusks) which was found, and differs from all before seen, is about six and a half feet long, eleven inches in diameter, and weighs about eighty pounds; it is very smooth, resembles externally an ox's horn, is not much bent, and forms a regular arc of a circle; inside was a substance resembling gypsum. One of the grinders is twelve inches long, four inches thick, and weighs ten and three quarter pounds. The jaws were broken, so that the number of teeth could not be ascertained.

Intellectual state of Russia, &c.—At the present moment, the following information may interest many. The number of journals which at present issue from the Russian press, is seventy-three, and of these "The Northern Bee," "The Patriot," and "The Invalid," enjoy the most extensive circulation: they are written in no less than twelve different languages. The number of elementary schools is 1411: they are frequented by 70,000 pupils; so that, on a comparison of the total number of children capable of instruction in the Russian dominions, with