Clearing Feathers from their natural Oil . 233 
sea, upon afterwards retiring within its limits, must have 
buried the body of the mammoth. But of what use are 
all these hypotheses, even if they had a high degree of 
probability? — -How can we reconcile facts which seem 
so contrary? Two years ago similar relics were found 
in the environs of Kirengsk, upon the banks of the Lena, 
at a greater distance from the sea, and they had fallen 
into the bed of the river : others have been found in pro- 
vinces further south from the Wolga ; and they have been 
discovered in Germany and in Spain. These are just 
so many incontestable proofs of a general deluge. We 
must believe that the country of the mammoth was of im- 
mense extent : but I shall not at present prosecute inqui- 
ries which might lead us into a labyrinth of hypotheses : 
I shall merely add, that it appears incontestable to me 
that there has existed a world of a very ancient date; and 
Cuvier, without intending it, gives evident proofs of this 
in his system, by the twenty-four species of animals, the 
races of which are extinct. In the mean time I beg the 
indulgence of the curious reader in the perusal of this es- 
say. I purpose giving the osteology of the mammoth 
with all that precision which Camper has devoted to a 
similar work. 
Michael Adams, 
Petersburg /?, August 20, 1807- 
No. 45. 
JYew Process for cleaning Feathers from their animal 
Oil . By Mrs . Jane Richardson.* 
The Process. 
Take for every gallon of clean water, one pound of 
quicklime ; mix them well together, and when the undis- 
* Tilloch, vol. 25, p. 6 7. From the Transactions oj the Society for the En- 
couragement of Arts , &c. 1805.— Twenty guineas were adjudged to Mrs, 
Richardson for this communication. 
Tm,. it. f f 
