438 Miscellaneous Intelligence. 



shoals by want of suitable boats and tackle. The coast fishery is very 

 uncertain because the herring shoals do not always take the same 

 course, and the fish caught in the deep sea are more abundant and 

 better in quality than those taken near the shore. The Swedes and 

 Dutch pursue the deep-sea fishery with great advantage. The salmon- 

 fisheries of Ireland were then examined. The chief statistics on the 

 subject were obtained from the extensive and well known firm of 

 Messrs. Keays & Co. ; but, as the trade is subject to the most capri- 

 cious fluctuations, we do not think that any safe deductions could be 

 made from the returns of a single house. There is no doubt that the 

 import of Irish salmon into England has increased and is increasing. 

 Irish turbot, soles, and lobsters might profitably be brought to the same 



market. A desultory discussion took place, in which several explana 

 tions of the neglect of the Irish fisheries were suggested. Ignorance, 



obstinate prejudices, strange superstitions, want of government en- 



ful 



couragement, want of capital, acts of violence by which capitalists are 

 deterred from investing their money, the perilous condition of the Irish 

 coasts, particularly in the west, uncertainty of supply, and distance ot 

 market. 



10. Smithsonian Institution, (from the Literary World, Sept. 18, 

 1847.) — We are glad to have it in our power to announce the first pub- 

 lication of the Smithsonian Institution. 



It will be remembered that Mr. Smithson directed, in his will, that his 

 bequest should be devoted to the increase and dissemination of know- 

 ledge. It is therefore incumbent on the Regents of the Institution, endow 

 ed by the liberality of Mr. Smithson, to publish and disseminate use " 

 knowledge, and particularly such as may be an addition to our present 

 stock, or the result of original research. The first work to be issued is one 

 strictly in accordance with the wishes of the testator : inasmuch as it will 

 impart facts relating to the early people of the American continent, which 

 are as new as they are interesting. We consider it a fortunate event, 

 therefore, that the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution have secured 

 the work in question, as none could be more appropriate. It will, win- 

 out doubt, be well received, and hailed as a good beginning by the nu- 

 merous readers into whose hands the volume may fall. , 



This work, containing researches into the origin and purposes ot 

 aboriginal monuments and remains of the Mississippi Valley, win er 

 brace the details and results of extended surveys carried on during se 

 eral years by Mr. E. G. Squier and Dr. E. H. Davis, of Ohio. 1 he la- 

 bors of these gentlemen embrace the opening and examination ot mo 

 than two hundred mounds, of every variety and character, from 

 greatest to the least. These works were not carelessly overthrown, 

 laid open to their centre; the relics, if any existed, were removed, a 

 the earth again replaced. In these examinations, the number an 

 ety of aboriginal relics which have been brought to light, *^ 

 astonishment in all. Their collection embraces many thousand o J ^ 

 exhibiting the state of the arts among the ancient people, of whose an j 

 istence they are the only memorials. They consist of implemeri i < 



fashioned 



ornaments in silver, copper, lead, stone, ivory and pottery, nce g t 

 into a variety of forms, and exhibiting a skill which, in some msta 

 modern art cannot surpass. The sculptures of birds, animals an 



