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Page 9
_The Ornithorynous._
This remarkable animal, which forms the link between the bird and beast,
has a bill like a duck, and paws webbed similar to that bird, but legs
and body like those of a quadruped, covered with thick, coarse hair,
with a broad tail to steer by. It abounds in the rivers of New Holland,
and may be seen bobbing to the top every now and then, to breathe, like
a seal, then diving again in quest of its prey. It is believed to lay
eggs, as a nest with eggs in it of a peculiar appearance was some time
ago found. It bears a claw on the inside of its foot, having a tube
therein, through which it emits a poisonous fluid into the wounds which
the claw inflicts; as, when assailed, it strikes its paws together, and
fastens upon its enemy like a crab.--_Cunningham's New South
Wales._
_Sheep_
Are bred to an immense extent in New South Wales. In 1813, the number of
sheep in the colony amounted to 6,514; in 1821, to 119,777. The
exportation of wool to England during the last year exceeded a million
of pounds, and at the same rate of increase, in 1840, will reach to
between 30 and 40 millions of pounds. Bullocks are recommended for
draught in preference to horses, and the speed of a well-taught, lively,
strong bullock is little short of that of a horse.--_Ibid._
_Garden Rhubarb._
To force garden rhubarb, sow the seed on a rich moist border in the
beginning of April. Thin the young plants during the summer; in the end
of October, carefully transplant them into forcing-pots, five or six in
each pot. Place them in a northern aspect, to recover the effect of
their removal from the seed-bed, and in a month they are fit for
forcing.
_American Canals._
The canals are the most striking internal improvements in the United
States. The Great Erie canal is 360 miles in length, with an average
breadth of 40 feet. It connects the great line of lakes with the ocean
by the Hudson. Another to connect the Hudson with Lake Champlain is also
complete. Above 2,000,000_l._ have been expended on them; and the
annual returns from the tolls alone have already amounted to
120,000_l._ In the state of Ohio, another canal is in progress,
almost equal in magnitude to the Erie canal. On the rivers which it
connects with the lakes, there is a steam-boat navigation of 5,000
miles. In Pennsylvania, the Schuylkill navigation works comprise an
extent of 108 miles, of which 62 are canal, and 46 the river made
navigable. These works are complete. The Union canal, a line of 74
miles, to connect the Schuylkill with the Susqueannah, is in progress,
and will be completed within the present year. These, however, are but a
few of the gigantic strides which America is making in the march of
nations.
_Caledonian Canal._
Between August 1, 1826, and August 1, 1827, 212 vessels have passed
through the Caledonian canal from sea to sea. 295 vessels have made
partial passages through one end of the canal, to and from various
ports; 74 boats, not above 15 tons burden each, have been employed in
the carriage of articles to the fishery stations; and 91 steam-boats
have passed through the canal, all within the period abovementioned.
_Medicine._
A respectable contemporary journal gives the following calculations on
the relative state of the medical profession in London and Paris. The
French have long objected to the multitude of our professors, and the
drugs they employ; and it would seem by this comparative statement that
their objection is not ill-founded:--
In _London_ there are 174 physicians, or 1 physician to 700
inhabitants; 1,000 surgeons, or 1 surgeon to 1,200 inhabitants; 2,000
apothecaries, or 1 apothecary to 600 inhabitants.
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