81)2 Transactions of tue American Institute. 



3. Resting solely on the antliority of Prof. Young, that it is identical 

 in nature with the aurora borealis, showing in its spectrum three 

 characteristic hright lines. Confirmation of its electric origin is 

 found in its shape. It attains greatest extent in the direction of the 

 ecliptic, and next greatest at right angles to that line. 



The Sciopticon. 

 Mr. L. J. Marcj of Philadelpliia has given this appropriate name 

 to an improved portable magic lantern. It is illuminated by a 

 double-wicked coal oil lamp, which is so arranged that the conden- 

 ser and reflector will not become overheated. It has an improved 

 receptacle for picture slides, and is- well adapted to the production of 

 advancing and receding phantasmagoria. Since the substitution of 

 photographic transparancies for the coarse paintings formerly only 

 used with the magic lantern, the instrument has assumed a new 

 importance because the former when magnified reveal no distortions. 

 The sciopticon, -U'cll supplied with photographic pictures of remark- 

 able organic structures, beautiful scenery and specimens of tine 

 architecture, will be prized in many a family as an unfailing scource 

 of amusement and instruction. 



LiGUKiAN Bees. 

 The species known as the Italian Alp or Ligurian bee is indigen- 

 ous to southern Europe. From time immemorial it has been fostered 

 in Italy, but it was not introduced into northern Europe or this 

 country until within the last ten years. Baron Von Berlespch, an 

 eminent German apiarian, thus sums up their advantages : 1. The 

 Italian bees are loss sensitive to the cold than the common kind. 2. 

 Their queens are more prolific. 3. The colonies swarm earlier and 

 more frequently. 4. They are less apt to sting. 6. They are more 

 industrious. 6. They are more disposed to rob than the common 

 bees, and arc more courageous and active in self-defense. They 

 strive, whenever opportunity offers, to force their way into colonies 

 of common bees ; but when strange bees attack their hives they 

 fight witli great fierceness and with incredible adroitness. 



Elephant Plows. 

 In India the elephant is made serviceable before a gigantic plow. 

 The implement is guided by two men and turns up a liuge ridge 

 and forms a furrow tliree feet deep by four and a half feet wide at 



