Page:Transactions NZ Institute Volume 16.djvu/39

Rh The coldness of the nights in New Zealand makes the climate specially favourable for the process of freezing the meat; but, admirable as are the arrangements at Belfast, near Christchurch (where I had the pleasure of witnessing the operations), and elsewhere, I feel that much may yet have to be considered in the working-out of the details.

The principle of the machinery now in use is, that air is first compressed to such an extent that it attains a temperature of 300°, is then passed through cold tubes so as to be restored to its former temperature, though in its compressed state, and is then allowed to re-expand to its original dimensions, which causes its temperature to fall to zero. It seems probable, however, that, under some circumstances, it will be found that other means—as, for instance, the application of ammonia, ether, or sulphurous acid—are more suitable for freezing purposes than the compression of air.

I consider it a most healthy sign of the times that, during a period in which scientific knowledge has so rapidly advanced, literary study and research have made such steady and remarkable progress. Time would not permit me even to emunerate the principal literary works of the past year; but, to take merely one branch as an example—archæology—how much is there to tell!

Foremost amongst the archæological discoveries must be placed the interesting investigations which have recently been made in Egypt.

In 1878 some ruins at Tel-El-Maskutah, which had previously been considered "not worth visiting " (although some scholars had believed them to mark the site of Raamses, mentioned in the book of Exodus), were practically examined, and, amongst other things, was found a sculptured group, which was conveyed to Ismailia. When Sir Erasmus Wilson's exploring expedition commenced operations last year, the first step taken by M. Naville, who was in command of the party, was to examine these carvings. He observed that they were dedicated to the god Tum, the setting sun, and describe Rameses II. (the great monarch of the 18th Egyptian dynasty, who reignmed in the 14th century B.C.) as the friend of Tum. Hence he conjectured that they might come from one of the many cities which bore the sacred or temple name (as opposed to the popular name) of Pe-Tum (i.e., the abode of Tu); and that this Petum might be the same as the City of Pithom, which is mentioned in Exodus i., 11, as one of the treasure cities built by the children of Israel for Pharaoh. On