160 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



Thomson, in 1859; "The City of the Great King," by Dr. 

 Barclay, 1858; "Jerusalem Past and Present," by Mr. 

 Washburne, in 1859; "Illustrations of Scripture," by Pro- 

 fessor Hackett, in 1860; and numerous other works of more 

 or less magnitude. Report. 



AMERICAN PALESTINE EXPLORATION SOCIETY. 



The American Palestine Exploration Society has lately re- 

 ceived paper squeezes of two basaltic stones inscribed with 

 Phoenician characters similar to, and perhaps companions of, 

 the celebrated Moabite stone, of which we have heard so 

 much. The acquisition of the stones themselves has been a 

 subject of much rivalry between the British and American 

 societies, in consequence of which, the Arabs, believing them 

 to be extremely valuable, have hidden them, although it is 

 hoped without destroying them, as was done with the Moab- 

 ite stone. These squeezes were obtained by two well-known 

 Americans, Rev. D. Stuart Dodge and Frederick S. Winston, 

 and have been forwarded by them to New York. 



Pen-and-ink copies have already been received, and have 

 lately been lithographed and distributed among American 

 scholars. It is not certain that the stones from which these 

 squeezes were taken are genuine antiquities, the Orientals be- 

 ing unfortunately too well versed in the art of manufacturing 

 such objects so as to meet any demand. There is, however, 

 a strong probability that they are what they profess to be. 

 At any rate, they will probably, before long, be subjected to 

 such an examination by experts as will determine their true 

 character. 



EXPLORATIONS IN ASIA MINOR. 



The expedition for the explorations in Asia Minor, of which 

 mention has been made in the daily joapers from time to time, 

 was at Smyrna on the 23d of September last, and embraced 

 Professors Curtius, Stark, Adler, of New York, and a German 

 military officer. The gun-boat Meteor had been placed at 

 their service in order that they might touch at various points, 

 and penetrate thence into the interior, as well as visit the va- 

 rious islands. After spending several days in examining the 

 result of certain excavations made at Ephesus under the au- 

 spices of the Dilettanti Society of London, the party proceed- 



