Miscellaneous Intelligence. 145 
8. Hieroglyphical Mica Plates from the Mounds; by E. Geo. 
Squier, (in a letter to Prof. Silliman.)—You have probably observe 
a paragraph, going the rounds of the newspapers, credited to a journal 
published at Lower Sandusky in this state, to the effect that a number 
of inscribed plates of mica were recently discovered, in excavating an 
ancient mound near that place. ‘These plates are represented, in the 
account, as oval in shape, measuring seven by ten inches, and ‘ cover- 
ed with hieroglyphies of different and beautiful colors, betokening a 
more advanced and-entirely different state of the arts than has hereto- 
fore been discovered in the remains of the Indian tribes!” As this an- 
nouncement has created some degree of interest, and elicited some in- 
quiries, it will not be out of place to observe, that one of the plates has 
n'placed in our hands, through the kindness of a friend, residing at 
the point mentioned... The form of the plates and their size are cor- 
rectly represented, but the hieroglyphics are nothing more nor less 
than discolorations caused either by the infiltration of a mineral solution 
between the lamina, or by its presence at the period of crystallization, 
The material is very well known as graphic or hieroglyphic mica, a de- 
posit of which occurs upon the Schuylkill, not far above Philadelphia. 
Although the discoloration, following the planes of crystallization, falls, 
in places, into right lines, it seems utterly unaccountable that they were 
mistaken for the work of man!, This is another illustration of the 
very loose manner in which facts relating to our antiquities have been 
placed before the world :—a looseness, unfortunately, not entirely pecu- 
liar to newspaper statements. The plates are very pretty specimens o! 
the mineral, and are each perforated, near one of the ends, with a small 
hole. They were undoubtedly used for purposes of ornament. Mica 
is common in the mounds, sometimes cut into the form of scrolls and 
other ornamental plates. I have taken a bushel of the sheets froma 
single mound. : 
9. Water-Power of Europe, (Mining Journal, April 10, 1847. )—A 
curious communication has been addressed to the Paris Academy of 
Sciences, from M. Daubrée, containing a calculation of the quantity of 
heat annually applied to the evaporation of the water on the surface of 
the globe, and of the dynamic force of the streams of continents. He 
ford, Conn., by P. W. Ellsworth, M.D.,;combined with those made at 
New Haven, show that the auroral bow or arch of April 7, 1847, was 
elevated not less than 100 miles, nor more than 120, above the earth’s 
A similar auroral bow or arch was seen at various places in England, 
on the 19th March, 1847. According to the mean of various observa- 
arch was visible here up to 114-30™. Pp. m 
Seconp Senizs, Vol. IV, No, 10.—July, 1847. 19 
