SCIENCE LETTER FROM PARIS. 541 



cave from the orifice at the top, or a stream flows under ground, it is impossible to 

 determine with the present Hmited observations. 



This cavern is situated about ten miles east from Judge M. D. Kent's sheep 

 ranch, and about forty miles northeast of Fort Clark. This is a very wild region, 

 with few inhabitants. Recently a panther was killed in this vicinity which meas- 

 ured from tip to tip thirteen feet. This is the sixth panther that has been killed 

 in this vicinity within a few months. The Mexican lion, or cougar, is also found 

 in this region, and in the jungles of the Rio Grande is found the leopard cat. 



It has not been determined whether the cavern is the result of erosion from 

 running water, or was formed by volcanic action. Nothing can be known about 

 it scientifically without an examination by a competent geologist. Texas is full of 

 interest to the scientist, but almost nothing has been done in this direction. There 

 are probably rich mines of coal, silver, lead and tin, and perhaps other metals. 

 The State has a full treasury, and all it needs is a wise direction given to produce 

 results which would return many times their cost. The flora and fauna are espe- 

 cially rich. Taxidermists are frequently sent here to enrich the collections of east- 

 ern institutions. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



SCIENCE LETTER FROM PARIS. 



Paris, December i8, 1882. 

 Sanitary Condition of European Cities — The Comet and Planets, Etc. 



The question of questions at the present moment for citizens is that of the 

 typhoid fever endemic. The Academy of Sciences is of late wholly occupied 

 with that subject, which comes home to the business and bosoms of every resi- 

 dent. Paris may be the most beautiful of capitals, but it is beyond doubt next 

 to the most insalubrious. It has more than the commencement of an admirable 

 system of sewers, but their efficacy is checked by the absence of water for flush 

 ing ; hence, in summer, but particularly in autumn, the kennel-mouths of the sew- 

 ers are so many pestilence pipes, as every passer-by but too well knows. Insuf- 

 ficiency of water for flushing purposes in houses as well as in the branch and 

 main sewers ; uncleanly-kept premises ; overcrowded habitations; inadequacy of 

 water for domestic wants, and even that supply derived from infected rather than 

 impure sources — such are conditions for the plague. 



Dr. De Murry is convinced, the source of typhoid fever, as of cholera, lies 

 in the dejections of the patients; hence, the water-closets become the nursery 

 ground for the malady. One ill-kept closet on any story is sufficient to poison 

 the entire household. He has but a relative confidence in the statistics of mor- 



