298 Miscellaneous Intelligence. 
or by one of the processes adopted by the alchemists, I will not at pres: 
ent attempt to decide, but will leave the problem to be solved at some 
future period, when the researches of antiquarians shal] have offered 
us further evidence on the subject 
9. California Academy of Natural Sciences.—-An Academy of Nat- 
ural Science has recently been instituted at San Francisco, Califernia, 
having for its objects the collection of specimens in yarious departments 
of science, and lectures and publications on scientific subjects. A 
Randall, Esq., has been elected President, H. Gibbons and T, J. Nev- 
ins, Vice Presidents, W. P. Gibbons, Corresponding Secretary, L. W. 
Sloat, Recording Secretary, A. B. Stout, Treasurer. 
Aurora seen at Perryville, on the 24th of May, 1853 ; by Prof. 
. W. WueeELer.—At a quarter before nine, P. M., 24th, a bank 
of white light lay along the northern horizon, elevated perhaps 10° due 
north, and extending about 100° on the horizon. 
Nine o'clock, streamers distinctly visible in the N. W., and a little to 
the E. of N. 
94, Streamers more visible; bank less so. Some of the streamers 
could be traced above the pole star. 
4, Streamers not so high, but oceupy almost the whole bank. 
93, Streamers hardly perceptible ; bank disappearin 
10, Bank and streamers have both disappeared 
The light was white and slightly yellow, nothing of redness; the 
evening clear and still ; thermometer 13° Cent, Perryville is in Lat. 
° 43’ 56”, Long. 89° 53’ 20”, 
11. The Great Gold Nugget, (Atheneum, No. 1344.)—The Times 
states, that the great Australian nugget lately exhibited at Mr. Wyld’s 
obe, in Liecester Square, has been melted and sold by Messrs. Hag- 
gard and Pixley, bullion brokers, for 5,532. Its weight before melting 
was 1,615 ounces; and it yielded 1,319 ounces of fine gold, equal to 
d. 
12. Polytechnic College, Philadelphia.—A Polytechnic College has 
been chartered by the State of Pennsylvania, to be established in 
of instruction. A chemical laboratory, mineralogical collections, and 
other appurtenances required for instruction in the practical applications 
of science, are included in the plan. The rofessorship of Metaliurgy> 
and Industrial, Agricultural, and Analytical Chemistry, (a large Tange 
for one man,) is stated to be filled, but the three other departments PFO 
posed are yet to be provided with Professors. 
13. Notice io Naturalists.—The Cabinet of the late Dexter Marsh 
will be offered at public auction, on Wednesday, the twenty-first day of 
September next. It embraces a great variety of natura Myo ni 
| il 13 0 
ural ob 3} 
peculiar value consists in its unrivalled collection of Fossil - ootprints 
