Miscellanies. 197 



telescope on the principle of Rogers, mentioned in Dr. Brewster's 

 journal ; this telescope proved to be a very good one for a small pow- 

 er, although it is not completed : its length is five feet, and aperture 

 three inches and three fourths. Mr. Dixon, has made a machine for 

 grinding and polishing mirrors and lenses, on the plan of Lord Ox- 

 manton's, mentioned by Dr. Brewster. Mr. Dixon has also estab- 

 lished a manufactory of prussian alkali for dyers. 



10. Skulls — Dr. Samuel G. Morton of Philadelphia, has recent- 

 ly deposited in the Academy of Natural Sciences of that city, an 

 extensive series of skulls, embracing those of the different races of 

 men and the various classes of inferior animals. A principal object in 

 forming this collection, is to investigate the peculiarities of the abori- 

 ginal inhabitants of the American continent ; and persons who are in 

 possession of Indian crania, are respectfully invited to communicate 

 with Dr. M. in reference to them. 



1 1 . JVotices of scenery, 8fc. in Pennsylvania ; in a letter to the Edi- 

 tor from Mr. W. B. Weed, dated Chilicothe, Aug. 13, 1831.— From 

 Harrisburg westward, to the distance of sixty or seventy miles, the coun- 

 try presents one continued scene of beauty and sublimity. The road 

 is cut along the side of a ridge that rises above you, in rugged bluffs, to 

 the height of two or three hundred feet, and descends as far below, to 

 the bank of the Juniata, whose gentle current and waveless surface 

 formed a striking contrast with the rude surrounding scenery. Here 

 too is the Pennsylvania Canal, running parallel with the river, with 

 nothing but the tow-path between, and producing a most beautiful effect. 

 On the other side of the river ascends a ridge to the height of four hun- 

 dred feet, crowned with thick forests to its very summit, which, seen 

 through the thin veil of vapor which is continually ascending from 

 the water, presented (though not half a mile distant) the exact ap- 

 pearance of the densest thunder cloud. The summit of this ridge, 

 for fifty miles, is perfectly uniform, as if levelled by art. Pittsburg 

 too has an abundance of fine scenery, both within and around it. 

 The only trace which remains of Fort Pitt, which you know was 

 built on the ruins of Fort Du Quesne, is the magazine. Built as it 

 is of massive rock, it will probably remain for centuries, to indicate 

 the origin of this flourishing city. You know Pittsburg is situated at 

 the confluence of the two rivers which form the Ohio. From the 

 top of " Coal hill," you have a fine view of all three. The Allegha- 



