Scientific Intelligence — Miscellaneous. 389 



then seems to have been viewed as one of the pi-ecious metals, as 

 Achilles proposed a ball of iron as one of the prizes to be awarded 

 to the victor of the games instituted in honour of Patroclus ; — offer- 

 ings of iron implements were also made to the gods. 



With regard to the early use of bronze in preference to iron, we 

 cannot forbear traiiscribing some remarks from Robertson's History 

 of North America : — " Gold; silver, and copper, are found, in their 

 perfect state, in the clefts of rocks, in the sides of mountains, or the 

 channels of rivers. They were accordingly first known and first ap- 

 plied to use. But iron, the most serviceable of all metals, and to 

 which man is most indebted, is never discovered in its perfect form ; 

 its gross and stubborn ore must feel twice the force of fire, and go 

 through two laborious processes before it becomes fit for use. Man 

 was long acquainted with other metals before he acquired the art of 

 fabricating iron." 



Several small articles of iron have been found in Egyptian tombs ; 

 but though acquainted with it, they do not appeal- to have applied 

 it to any practically useful purpose. 



In the British Museum are several chisels, saws, and other tools 

 of bronze ; and the author has a fish-hook of the same material, 

 found in a tomb, and also several pins of the latest modern improve- 

 ment, namely, with solid heads. A small bronze knife, found at 

 Thebes, was highly elastic, and the edge, after being buried at least 

 2000 years, so perfect, that it was used for a penknife for several 

 months after its exhumation. — The London Journal and Repertory 

 of Arts, Sciences, and Manufcictures, No. cxxv. No. 296. 



10. On the Production of the Guano of Commerce. — The Moro 

 of Arica is situated close to the town, on the south, and is a bold pro- 

 montory projecting towards the sea, its base being washed by the surf 

 of the Pacific Ocean, and its summit being about 600 feet above it. 

 This Moro presents a precipice nearly perpendicular, with numerous 

 cliffs or ledges, which during ages have been occupied by myriads of 

 sea-fowl, called Garza by the Spaniards, but better known by the Peru- 

 vian name. Guano, — a term which is also used by the Indians for 

 the dung of these birds. The front of the Moi'o of Arica is a most 

 conspicuous and important object to mariners, who wish to call 

 there ; for when vessels coming from the south, or windward, as it 

 is there called, are allowed by those on board to pass the port, the 

 space gone over in a few hours may be such as to require several 



VOL. XXXIV. NO. IXVIIT. APRIL 1843. 2 C 



