66 Schliemann, in his excavations at Mycenae, has unearthed many a relic dear to classically educated Englishmen. A certain likeness exists between the ornamentation of some of these and some of the Cypriote ware, and the diadems found on the heads of the bodies in the tombs show a connection also. The human face is often found as an ornament on the ware from Hissarlik, and the face as copied by one workman after another gradually loses its likeness to anything human. The "yλаúкwл is 'Аðývŋ” is supposed to have been so called from a degradation of the goddess's face on vases by successive generations of workmen. Handles have degenerated into knobs, at least so say the experts, and it well may be so, as the markings on celts, the cross lines on the new Post Office registered envelope, and the two buttons behind a gentleman's coat, respectively preserve the memory of the thongs that bound the first, the string that secured the second, and the belt formerly supported by the last. The so-called "crest of Athena," according to Nature, is a degradation of the crown-shaped tops of vases from Hissarlik, and "the history of every form may be traced by connecting links in the specimens at South Kensington. The whole collection forms a continuous sequence which by a judicious arrangement of connecting forms is capable of demonstration." "To apply the expression Darwinism to such a sequence of forms is no mere figure of speech; it expresses the truth as fully in relation to savage art and ornament as to the forms of nature." One curiosity we may note as exhibited by Dr. Schliemann at South Kensington, the “déñas 'аμþiкúñedXov," about which there has been so much written; it is unmistakable when seen. Deep-sea dredgings made by the U.S. schooner "Blake" lead to some interesting results. Many of the phenomena mentioned by Dana were observed; near the coast of Cuba numbers of interesting sponges were dredged (a species of favosites about which we should like to hear more), an isopod eleven inches long, many shell-fish, eyeless fish from the bottom, others with but little eye but with long filaments, &c. Japan has by this year an active archæological society calling itself Kobutzu Kai or the "Society of Old Things;" the number of members is 200, who hold monthly meetings. There are many antiquities scattered through the land which have already been brought to light by the agency of the society. One interesting custom is mentioned which prevailed before the Christian era. The grave of a dead emperor used to be surrounded by a circle of his attendants buried alive up to their necks: it is not known whether the "survival of the fittest" had anything to do with the alteration in this custom, but after the year 2 B.C. clay figures were substituted for the live attendants. These images are now found in old burial-grounds, and have attracted the attention of the Kobutzu Kai. Mr. Herbert H. Smith returned to Baltimore, U.S., after several years spent in explorations in Brazil. He spent two years in studying the insect fauna of Santarem, and afterwards he explored the north side of the Amazon. The collection of insects made by him amounted to 12,000 species. Afterwards he spent some time near Rio and Minas. Some of the results of Mr. Smith's observations on the distribution of animals in Brazil are noteworthy. The flood plains of the valley above (forty miles in width in some places) are, according to him, an effectual barrier to many species, especially those unprovided with wings. Mr. Smith's map of the river Jaurucú is especially valuable among the other valuable maps brought by him. Mr. Smith proposes to return to Brazil at a future time. The first telegraph line of the Chinese empire was established between the house of the Provisional Governor and the Arsenal of the Tien Tsin; the line is only some eight miles long, but any improvement in China may be welcomed, especially as a proposal is made to establish another telegraph line. An interesting experiment was made in the neighbourhood of Emmendingen. It had long been suspected that the Aach, which has its source in jurassic limestone, was connected with the Danube. A substance called fluorescin was introduced into the water of the Rhine at Emmendingen, and two and a half days afterwards, the green colour of the fluorescin was visible in the Aach, the source of which is about 5 miles distant. Hence it is proved that there is a connection between the Upper Danube and the North Sea. M. de Lesseps was able to report that the personnel of the first scientific and hospital station had reached Zanzibar, and we shall probably have to record the doings of the expedition at some length next year. PART II. CHRONICLE OF REMARKABLE OCCURRENCES IN 1878. JANUARY. 1. SHIPPING DISASTERS.-Lloyd's agent at Rotterdam has informed the committee of Lloyd's that a vessel has arrived at Maasluis from Oporto which reports having picked up at sea some goods, including a quantity of tobacco and a lifebuoy marked " Friesland." No doubt, therefore, can exist as to the loss of this steamer. It is reported from Corunna that on or about December 11 some fishermen observed on the rocks off Cape Corrabedo what appeared to be the third part of a large steamer, which in an hour or two sank and disappeared. In all probability this was the "Friesland," which had stranded on Cape Corrabedo, a little promontory a few miles south of Cape Finisterre, and somewhat resembling it in general conformation. On Cape Corrabedo is a light supposed to be visible for twelve miles at sea, so that the "Friesland" probably ran ashore in a fog. There is no news of the crew, who, it is feared, have all perished with the ship. The depth of water about Cape Corrabedo varies from fourteen to over twenty fathoms, and it is just possible that the "Friesland" has sunk in a depth at which diving operations can be carried on. This, however, cannot be until the winter is over, the whole western coast of Spain lying in too exposed a position to permit diving operations except in fine weather. The vessel, of course, is a total loss, but the valuable cargo of indigo, hemp, coir yarn, &c., may be in part recovered. The "Friesland" was an iron screw steamer of 2,525 tons gross. Information has been received of a serious casualty on the coast of Denmark, involving loss of life. The brig "Brierley Hill," belonging to North Shields, Captain Duncan, from Kotka to London, laden with staves, has been wrecked at Thisted; only A one man saved. She cleared from Kotka for London on October 20 last. The crew probably numbered eight men. She registered 250 tons, and was thirty years old, having been built at Sunderland in 1847. Information has also been received that the well-known fruit-trading steamer Oriana," belonging to the London Steamship Company, loading fruit at Catacola, Greece, had stranded on Catacola Point, in leaving port during stormy weather, and would probably become a wreck. She had about 100 tons of currants on board. The telegram states that all on board were saved. A later telegram to the owners states that the steamer had broken in two, and was a total wreck. Guards have been placed by the ship to protect the salvage. The "Oriana" registered 770 tons gross. She was built at Newcastle in 1867. The crew A serious accident, and one which threatened to interfere with the navigation of the River Avon, occurred on January 1 at Bristol. A large American vessel, about 700 tons burden, named the "Alice C. Dickerman," was going down the river in ballast, bound for Cardiff, when, in passing Sea Mills, owing to a dense fog which prevailed, she took the ground, and all efforts to get her off proved unavailing. As the tide left her, she heeled over, and fell broadside on into the river, her masts falling across the tideway and preventing ships passing. Prompt measures were taken by the haven master to remove the obstruction. The masts of the disabled ship were cut away, and, as the evening tide flowed she filled with water, thus showing serious injury to her hull. Several tug boats, however, were employed, and they succeeded in hauling the derelict on to the bank and out of the navigable course of the river. fortunately escaped without injury, but lost most of their effects. GALLANT RESCUE OF A CREW.-The fishing smack "Smiling Morn," of Hull, has arrived at Hull, having on board Captain T. H. Smith and eighteen seamen, engineers, and firemen, forming the crew of the steamship "Danae," of North Shields, the vessel having been abandoned in the North Sea on Christmas Day in a sinking condition. The "Danae," having taken on board a full cargo of wheat at Revel for London, passed Copenhagen on December 21, and rounded the Scaw on the morning of the 23rd. Strong westerly gales were then encountered, with heavy seas, and on the morning of Christmas Day, when the steamer was about forty miles off the Horn Reef, coast of Jutland, the storm increasing in violence, she was thrown on her port side, and her cargo shifted. Heavy seas washed over the vessel, the water entering the engine-room and cabins. The steam-pumps were set going, and although water was pumped out at the rate of two tons a minute it kept rising. The hatches were washed away, the decks damaged, and all hopes of saving the vessel given up. Towards noon the "Smiling Morn" was sighted by the crew, who were in a helpless condition, and signals of distress were made. The smack was then to leeward, and it took her two or three |