> 



I ^ 



202 Domestic Intelligence. 



whole heap was excessively hot^ and the surface quhe dry. 

 The sparks were blown constantly by the whid against the 

 barn, and the rubbish about it. Had it not been for this for- 

 tunate discovery, the buildings would very soon have been 

 in flames, and the fire probably beyond control. After a 

 careful examination, by a number of intelligent gentlemen, 

 it was the decided opinion, that the fire originated from a 

 spontaneous fermentation, and combustion of the dung heap. 

 Had the buildings in the present case been burned, or even 

 on fire, the heap would not have been examined or thought 

 of, as the source of the fire, and it would have been believ- 

 ed to have been the work of an incendiary. The question 

 arises, whether some of the instances which in towns, so 

 frequently occur, (if fire originating in stables, and which 



we attribute to incendiaries, may not in this way be account- 

 ed (ovJ^ 



9. Geological Survey of North Carolina^ 



We understand that Professor Olmstead of the Universi- 

 ty of North Carolina, will soon commence a series of geo- 

 logical and mineralogjcal observaUons, intended, eventually, 

 to comprehend a scientific survey of the State- From the 

 known intelligence, zeal and scientific attainments of Pro- 

 fessor Olmstead, we cannot doubt, that (if adequately eU'^ 

 couragcd hy the local government, or hy patriotic individu-^ 

 ahj) the enterprlze will produce very important advantages 

 to science, agriculture, and other useful arts, and will prove 

 highly honorable to the very respectable State of North 

 Carolina. In no way, in our apprehension, could the same 

 sum of money be more usefully expended, and it would be 

 DO small honour to have set the first example of the scien- 

 tific survey of an entire American State- We hope then 

 to see the next edition of the map of North Carolina pre- 

 sent at least the leading features of its geology and mineral- 

 ogy. It would be very desirable also that the Botany, and 

 if practicable, the zoology of the country should be investi- 

 gated at the same time. 



