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1822.]

Antiquarian Researches.

Judging from the proportions of the remains now found in the den, the ordinary food of the hyenas seems to have been oxen, deer, and water-rats; the bones of the larger animals are more rare; and the fact of the bones of the hyænas been broken up equally with the rest, added to the known preference they have for putrid flesh and bones, renders it probable that they devoured the dead carcasses of their own species. Some of the bones and teeth appear to have undergone various stages of decay by lying at the bottom of the den while it was inhabited, but little or none since the introduction of the diluvian sediment in which they have been imbedded. The circumstances of the cave and its contents are altogether inconsistent with the hypothesis, of all the various animals of such dissimilar habits having entered it spontaneously, or having fallen in, or been drifted in by water, or with any other than that of their having been dragged in, either entire or piecemeal, by the beasts of prey whose den it was.

Five examples are adduced of bones of the same animals discovered in similar caverns in other parts of this country, viz. at Crawley Rocks near Swansea, in the Mendip Hills, at Clifton, at Wirksworth in Derbyshire, and at Oreston near Plymouth.

In the German caves, the bones are in nearly the same state of preservation as in the English, and are not in entire skeletons, but dispersed as in a charnel house. They are scattered all over the caves, sometimes loose, sometimes adhering together by stalagmite, and forming beds of many feet in thickness. They are of all parts of the body, and of animals of all ages; but are never rolled. With them is found a quantity of black earth derived from the decay of animal flesh; and also in the newly-discovered caverns, we find descriptions of a bed of mud. The latter is probably the same diluvian sediment which we find at Kirkdale. The unbroken condition of the bones, and presence of black animal earth, are consistent with the habits of bears, as being rather addicted to vegetable than animal food, and in this case, not devouring the dead individuals of their own species. In the hyæna's cave, on the other hand, where both flesh and bones were devoured, we have no black earth; but instead of it we find in the album græcum, evidence of the fate that has attended the carcasses and lost portions of the bones whose fragments still remain.

Three-fourths of the total number of bones in the German caves belong to two extinct species of bear, and two-thirds of the remainder to the extinct hyæna of Kirkdale. There are also bones of an animal of the cat

kiad (resembling the jugular or spotted panther of South America), and of the wolf, fox, and polecat, and rarely of elephant and rhi

noceros.

GENT. MAG. April, 1822.

853

The bears and hyenas of all these caverns, as well as the elephant, rhinoceros, and hippopotamus, belong to the same extinct species that occur also fossil in the diluvian gravel, whence it follows that the period in which they inhabited these regions was that immediately preceding the formation of this gravel by that transient and universal inundation which has left traces of its ravages committed at no very distant period over the surface of the whole globe, and since which, no important or general physical changes appear to have affected it.

ANCIENT BARROW, &c.

Some men employed in widening the turnpike road leading from Carlisle to Penrith, in Hesket-lane, came in contact with a barrow and a quantity of large cobble stones; in cutting their way through which they found a broad two-edged sword, bent together, two spears, one larger than the other, an axe, bridle-bits, part of a pair of spurs, a sharpening stone, the bone handle of a razor, and the back of a comb, both neatly carved, the remains of a bone comb, a piece of iron, resembling a sickle, probably the back of a saddle, an iron basin or top of a helmet, with holes in its rim, burnt bones, &c. It is evident that the hole has been exposed to heat, and from appearances, the fire-place must have been ten or twelve feet in diameter, and sunk in the ground at least three. The stones immediately covering the ashes were large, and closely set together; those above, smaller, compact, and regular. There are various speculations as to their claim to antiquity: some consider them Saxon, others Danish, while many assign them a much more modern date.

ANCIENT SEAL.

A beautiful silver seal has been found in the neighbourhood of Exeter. The form is oval, and represents in the centre St. James the Great, habited as a pilgrim, and standing under a canopy of elaborate workmanship. St. James was the patron of the Cluniac Priory on the Exe, about a mile below Exeter. The inscription_round the seal is-S. Fris. Thome. Dene. Prior'. Exonie. "The Seal of Thomas Dene, the Prior (of St. James's) at Exeter." This Thomas Dene was Superior of the above Priory (vulgarly called Old Abbey) in the See Oliver's Historical Col

year 1428.

lections, p. 22.

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ARTS AND SCIENCES.

LIEUT. RODGER'S RAFT FOR PRESERVING PERSONS FROM SHIPWRECK.

In 1819, Lieut. Rodger was honoured by the presentation of the gold medal of the Society of Arts, for this ingenious and useful invention. He has since presented a model to the Royal Humane Society, accompanied

by a description, which (to make it more generally known) we copy from their forty-eighth Report (reviewed in p. 346). The Royal Humane Society have kindly favoured us with the annexed representation of the Raft.

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"It must be obvious to every person acquainted with the subject, that Rafts might be constructed in such a manner as almost to defy the destructive force of the 'elements with which they would have to contend, but it is equally plain that such Rafts would be attended with considerable expence, and would occupy so much room on board a ship, as to preclude every hope of their being brought into general use. Under this impression I have in the construction of my Raft, confined myself to ma'terials which every ship is obliged to carry to sea for other purposes, viz. four butts, six pair of slings, eight capstan bars, three gratings or hatches, and four handspikes, with small rope or gaskets for life-lines and lashings; which, though not so strong as might be made of materials taken to sea for the purpose (which is not likely to take place) will, I hope, be found to be a good substitute. Casks of any size may be used, and small spars, such as boats' masts, topgallant studding sail booms, top-mast studding-sail yards, and many others which it is unnecessary to enumerate, may be substituted for capstan bars; so that every vessel has already on board the means of constructing a sufficient number of Rafts to carry the whole of her crew, who only require instruc

tions how to apply them to the greatest advantage. The plan which I have the honour to propose is so very simple, that I presume the model alone will make it clearly understood withou: any explanation; I shall therefore only observe that it is intended to be constructed on the ship's deck when required, and hoisted or launched over board according to circumstances. The buoyancy of four empty butts, each capable of containing 108 gallons (ale and beer measure) is equal to the weight of thirty men nearly, supposing each man to weigh 150lbs.; but as the casks, if not totally immersed, will tend to break off the sea, I would not recommend it for more than twenty; the

casks will then be about a foot above water.

Should the Society think proper to have one constructed for trial, I shall feel much pleasure in going on it with twenty men, for the purpose of making any experiment they may deem necessary to prove its efficacy. Ábout four years ago I had it tried at Sheerness alongside of His Majesty's ship Northumberland, with twenty men; and in 1819, in Portsmouth Harbour, alongside of His Majesty's ship Queen Charlotte, with twenty-four men; on both which occasions it met with general approbation."

"WM. RODGER, Lieut. R. N."

THE

1892.]

THE WELLINGTON SHIELD.

Arts and Sciences.

This magnificent trophy, executed in silver richly gilt, together with two ornamental columns of the same costly material, has been completed, from designs of Thos. Stothard, esq. R.A. under the superintendence of Messrs. Green, Ward, and Co. of Ludgate-street. It was ordered in 1814, by the Committee of Merchants and Bankers of London, as a splendid record of the Duke of Wellington's high achievements; but the time which has since elapsed has not been thrown away: the subject has undergone the fullest study and reflection, the first artists have been employed, the designs and models have been made with the greatest taste, the workmanship has been directed with the utmost care and ability, and the result is undoubtedly one of the finest productions of Art ever executed in the precious metals. The Shield is circular; its diameter is about three feet eight inches. At the first glance of the eye three concentric divisions strike the spectator, namely, a convex broad border of deadened gold richly ornamented in basso relievo, an inner circle of burnished gold radiating from the centre and slightly convex, and a bold group of figures in alto relievo, executed in deadened gold, occupying the centre of the Shield. The central group, nobly prominent, and beautifully relieved by the radiant ground on which it is placed, consists of fourteen equestrian figures, besides an allegorical representation of Fame, crowning the illustrious Commander; and there are three prostrate figures under his feet, descriptive of the violence, the devastation, and the despotism to which his victories so happily put an end. The Duke of Wellington himself appears on horseback in the middle, and he is surrounded by Officers who held important commands under him in the Peninsula. The grouping is most admirable. The Duke, without appearing detached from his associates, is sufficiently distinct and striking; whilst the other Officers fill the surrounding space, without producing any

effect of crowd or confusion.

The outer border is divided into ten compartments, representing the principal features of the Duke's military life, up to the general peace of 1814, when the plan of this costly work was first adopted. The Victory of Assaye (Sept. 23, 1803). The Battle of Vimiera (August 21, 1808). The Passage of the Douro (May 12, 1809). Torres Vedras (March 6, 1811). Badajos taken by Assault (April 6, 1812). The Battle of Salamanca (July 22, 1812). The Battle of Vittoria (June 21, 1813). The Battle of the Pyrenees (1813). The Entrance of Wellington into Toulouse (April 12, 1813). The Dukedom of Wellington conferred (1814). The Columns are intended to represent the fruits of the victories depicted on the shield. They are each about four feet three

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or four inches in height, including the figures of Fame and Victory, by which they are respectively surimounted. The body of each column is formed by the trunk of a Palm-tree, with a capital of leaves: it stands on a triangular base, and is surrounded in each instance by three characteristic figures. Around the column, sustaining the figure of Victory, are resting, in attitudes of Repose, three Soldiers of the United Kingdom, namely, a British Grenadier, a Highlander, and an Irish Light Infantryman; each supporting the flag of his country, distinguished by the Rose, Thistle, and Shamrock. The subjects described in basso-relievo on the base are- - Britannia awarding the laurelwreath alike to the Army and Navy; -A Return to the full occupation of the useful and ingenious Arts; and the old and young joining in the festive dance.-Groups of military trophies and weapons are heaped up at the angles as if no longer required.

Around the column surmounted by the figure of Fame, are placed in quiescent attitudes, three soldiers, emblematical of three of the nations whose troops the Duke commanded; namely, a Portuguese, a Sepoy, and a Guerilla, who are supposed to have bound a medallion of the Duke among the folds of their respective flags. Under each figure is a bas-relief, describing the peaceful occupations of the several countries released from their enemies; thus, under the Guerilla are Spanish peasants dancing, while the vine and the oxen denote the return of agriculture and the vintage. Under the Portuguese, the long-neglected vineyard appears restored to its productive harvest and beneath the Sepoy, a Hindostanee family reposes in peace under the protection of the British Government, while, a Warrior is relating an account of the Battle of Assaye, by which the country was freed from the ravages of the Mahrattas. The e-A Soldier of the guardians of the scene are19th Dragoons and a Sepoy, with a Mahratta captive. Groups of military trophies and weapons ornament the corners of the base, as in the first column.

THE ACHILLES OF PHIDIAS, Purposed to be erected by the Ladies of England, in compliment to the Duke of Wellington.

This colossal bronze statue, to receive which preparations are now making in Hyde Park, is cast from a mould made upon the sublime marble, generally attributed to the hand of Phidias, and which, since the papacy of Sixtus has adorned the Quirinal Hill at Rome. The horse which accompanies the original has been omitted, strong doubts being entertained whether it has not been an adjection of a later age; for, although of considerable merit, its forms are not in unison with the grandeur of construction, and heroic character of the man. The purpose for which this astonishing work was originally designed has never been

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satisfactorily ascertained; the most enlightened antiquaries of the present age imagine it to have been erected in honour of Achilles, and Mr. Westmacott, adopting that opinion, has armed him with a parazonium (a short sword) and shield. Great care and labour has been bestowed in restoring the surface of the work, which in the original has suffered greatly from its exposed situation, and the success which has attended the execution of this extraordinary enterprize, has happily achieved the preservation of the sublimest effort of human genius in art. The material employed in this stupendous work has chiefly been supplied from the cannon taken in the victories of the illustrious Duke, in compliment to whom the statue is dedicated. It is the largest cast ever undertaken in this country, or, indeed, we believe, since the restoration of the art of casting in brass, by Zenodius, now eighteen centuries since; the statue itself being 20 feet in height, and its weight nearly 36 tons. will require no inconsiderable share of ingenuity to convey the ponderous statue from the artist's foundery in Pimlico to its pedastal of granite in Hyde Park, where its erection is expected to take place in the course of five weeks.

CANAL BOATS.

It

Mr. T. M. Van Heythuysen's patent for propelling Barges or Boats through Canals. The object of the invention is to substitute manual labour instead of equestrian in transporting barges through canals, and is simply thus: a tread-wheel is fixed either to the fore, or both to the fore and after-part of a barge, which is trod round. The axle passes through the tread-wheel and projects from the sides of the barge about 20 inches: to this is fixed a paddle-wheel similar to those used by vessels propelled by steam; each of these wheels contain six paddles. Supposing the man who treads to weigh 185 lbs. and deduct 35 lbs. for friction, he will then tread the axle round at a force of 100 lbs. The superiority over the common method is this: a man when he pulls sculls or oars, pulls them through the water 24 times in a minute, and the strength of his pulling is computed at about 30 lbs. each time. By Mr. Van Heythuysen's method, the paddle passes through the water 136 times in a minute; and as only two paddles are in the water at the same time, each paddle is passed through the water by a force of 50 lbs. There is not sufficient space on a canal to allow of the use of oars. This newly-invented machinery is very simple, and can be taken off the vessel in a moment, and so light that a man can walk away with it, with as much case as he can with a pair of oars. Two men can propel a canal barge with this contrivance, at the rate of five miles an hour. The expence of keeping track roads for horses to draw the barges,

[April,

and the expence of keeping the horses themselves, seem to make this a great desideratum to all canal property.

The Editor of the Philosophical Magazine observes, in reply to the preceding statement, "We suspect that the patentee will meet with objections not easy to be overcome respecting the application of such machinery to canal navigation. Even in the present method of moving the barges, when the horses go beyond a certain rate, the motion given to the water tends to wash down the banks; but what is this compared to the moving tide that would be produced by the working of paddles ?"

IMPORTANT CHEMICAL INVENTION.

Mr. Pepe, Professor of Chemistry at Naples, has discovered a means of securing all base metals, such as iron, copper, brass, bronze, &c. against the effects of the air or water, by giving them a metallic coat, which is imperishable, cannot be removed except by a file, and when polished is as white and brilliant as silver. His treatise on this subject is now in the press.

NEW STEAM ENGINE.

Vienna, announces that he has invented a Anthony Bernard, a machine-maker at much more simple, and, in many respects, more useful steam-engine, which he calls the Condensing Machine, because, contrary to the English steam-engine, it does not act by the expansion, but by the condensation of the air.

PRESERVING OBJECTS OF NATURAL

HISTORY.

M. Drapier, Professor of Chemistry and Natural History, and one of the Editors of the Annales Generales des Sciences Physiques, has substituted with success, in lieu of the poisonous matters employed in preserving objects of natural history, a soap composed of potash and fish oil. He dissolves one part of caustic potash in water, and adds to the solution one part of fish oil: he rubs the mixture till it acquires a pretty firm consistence. When it is completely dry, he reduces it to powder with a rasp. One part of this powder is employed in forming a soft paste or liquid soap, by means of an equal quantity of a solution of camphor in musked alcohol. This liquid soap is well rubbed upon the skin of the bird, previously cleared of its fat, and the other part of the soap and powder is plentifully scattered between the feathers. Thus prepared, the bird is placed in a moist situation, in order that the particles of soap may soften and attach themselves perfectly to the feathers, the down, and the skin. It afterwards is put in a dry place. By this means it completely resists the attacks of larvæ, and has neither the danger nor the incouvenience of arsenical preparations, which, as is well known, stain and spoil the extremities of the feathers and down.

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"No sooner fix'd was his imperial pow'r, Than all the threat'ning tempests ceas'd to low'r;"

Again the Egis of his Crown appears,
And thankless men forget their former fears:
Pale-ey'd Affright now smiles at her alarms,
Safe in the glory of his conqu'ring arms,

OUR King who first receiv'd the regal Who taught the plund'ring Regicides to

sway, When Britain to its centre felt dismay; When England's wisest or her warmest friend

Could never hope destructive war to end:
When Loyalty or in, or out of place,
Thought peace impossible without disgrace;
When Gallic regicides a monster rais'd,
By Europe curs'd-by British patriots praiз'd;
And when that Gallic monster's power su-
preme

Did this small Isle an easy conquest deem; When trembling Europe all his vaunts believ'd,

And for its antient bulwark Britain, griev'd. Such were the dangers of the British State,

And such suppos'd, was our impending fate, When Heav'n in mercy to this favour'd land, Transferr'd the Sceptre to the Regent's hand; And never, in the most auspicious reign, Was Heaven's approval seen or felt more plain;

For never in the most auspicious reign, Did Heaven's protection England more obtain:

No sooner fix'd was his imperial pow'r, Than all the threat'ning tempests ceas'd to

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THE LOVE-BEWILDERED MAID.

I'LL seat myself near the grove-side,

Beneath a weeping willow,

While round the meads the phantoms glide,
I thus desert my pillow.

The Moon her brightness thro' the trees,
At intervals is peeping;
Anon her lustre no one sees,

She in her cloud is sleeping.
Far, far beyond the Western main,
Where youder star is sinking;
Perchance my Love lies with the slain,
While I of him am thinking!

But if kind Heaven him protects,

And guards him with its blessing;
To think of me he ne'er neglects,
His fate howe'er distressing!
Zephyr, O take a sigh from me,

Go, to my lover bear it ;
And tell him that my heart is true,

And none but him shall share it!

See, see yon cloud the Moon obscure,
And all the prospect shading;
But ever will my truth endure,

Nor will my love be fading.

The lonesome owl from yonder tow'r
Along the grove is flying,
Her screams disturb the silent hour,

While she for food is prying.
The village-clock with son'rous toll,

The midnight hour proclaiming,
And tells how Time does onward roll,
And that there's no reclaiming!
Adieu! dear solitude, adieu !

The hour grows dark and dreary, The air is wet with nightly dew, I'll go, for I am weary!

And

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