432 Correspondence of J. Nicklés. 
vast enclosure constructed upon the platform of an artificial island made 
upon the top of the bank of Varne. To this platform a covered wharf 
d its. : 
The tunnel will be a perfect vaulted cylinder, offering in its supevior 
are an open section nine meters across and seven meters high th 
The cost of construction is estimated at 112,000,000 francs—or at the. 
ratio for the whole of 3400 francs a meter. The total expense, to 8 
going into complete activity, will probably reach 170 millions of soon 
e will keep our readers informed of the progress of matters relating 
this great question. f the 
Perforation of lead by insects—At one of the late sessions 0 2 : 
Academy of Sciences, a lead ball from the Crimea, found in a Russian car ‘ 
touche, was examined with much interest, which had been pertot be 
through and through by an insect. The fact was at first, thought rd 
new: this was soon corrected by the mention of several similar ese ee 
Mr. Dumeril. The insect that perforated the lead is a Hymenopter oF ™® 
order Urocera (Geoffroy). _ 
Re describes an insect of this kind. The female of the 
carries under its venter a borer armed on each side with eight 0 
versed teeth. Dumeril holds that the perforation is made, not for ' 
only to open a passage for itself; and from among the observ: 
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