400 Miscellanies. 



ancient Chinese, spectacles, opium and other pipes, fans the compass 

 in great variety, models of fruits, coins, exquisite specimens of carving 

 in ivory, metal, stone, and bamboo, very numerous and grotesque 

 carvings from roots of trees, in which they exhibit a peculiar taste, 

 singular brushes, combs, beautiful vessels of odoriferous wood for 

 their altars and temples, of which latter there are models ; very nu- 

 merous ornamental stands carved with good taste; huge cameos in 

 stone of great cost ; fine specimens of their lacquered ware, as well 

 as their common ware ; a silk embroidered saddle ; a water wheel 

 worked like our modern tread-mill ; a fan for cleaning rice resem- 

 bling our own ; lanterns of every possible shape, size, and ornament, 

 will be suspended from various points, with their rich and tasteful 

 paintings ; there is a model of their very singular coffin, which few 

 would even guess was designed to contain the last relics of humanity. 

 Space is wanting to perfect this notice of a collection highly credit- 

 able to the taste and liberality of the proprietor, and valuable to our 

 country. No where else can we see so complete an exhibition of this 

 interesting nation. 



25. Prof. Jlgassiz and his loorhs. — By a letter from this eminent naturalist, dated 

 Neucliatel, Nov. 5, 1838, received Jan. 4, 1839, at the moment of closing the pre- 

 sent No., we learn the following facts respecting his new works now in the course 

 of execution. The work on The Fresh-Water Fishes of Europe,* with nu- 

 merous plates, executed with all possible care, and that on the Echinodermata,* 

 will be published in such time, that the first number of each may arrive in this 

 country early in the present year, 1839. The fresh water-fishes yv'iW appear in livrai- 

 sons, containing each about 20 plates. The Echinoderynata in livraisons, with 5 

 plates each, containing also the explanatory text. 



It is known to the geological world, tliat Prof. Agassiz has recently published 

 some novel and interesting views respecting the movement of the Erratic Blocs of 

 the Jura, and upon Glaciers Moranies and Erratic Blocs. t On this subject he re- 

 marks in his letter : 



'•'You will greatly oblige me if you will communicate to me such facts within 

 your knowledge as have reference to the phenomena of the transport of erratic 

 blocs, and especially with respect to polished surfaces in any regions in the vicinity 

 of New York (or elsewhere.) 



" I have it in contemplation to publish, in the course of next year, the result of 

 extensive researches into this subject, and shall be very happy to add observations 

 made in countries remote from ' my own.' " 



We have only room earnestly to recommend the works and wishes of Professor 

 Agassiz to our geologists, and his wishes especially to those charged with the geo- 

 logical surveys. His address in this country is to M. August Mayor ; care of Mey- 

 rat Nagath, New York. — Eds. 



^ For a notice of these works, see vol. 34, p. 212 of this Journal. 



t Jameson's Journal, for Oct. 1837, and April, 1838, vol. 24, pp. 176 and 364. 



