lth of what are called "prehistoric"
remains. The finding of an isolated skeleton, in a cave, with
stalagmite completely covering it, is accepted as an occurrence that is
not very remarkable. However ancient it may be, the preservation of the
bones is exceptional. But a late discovery in France, near
Hastiere-sur-Meuse, is of much more importance. No less than fifteen
burial caverns were found, and from the five that have been explored no
less than fifty-five human skeletons have been taken, among which are
thirty-five well-preserved skulls.

In addition to these "finds" the plateaux yielded sixteen dwelling
places of the old inhabitants from which have been taken a quantity of
stone implements. These show the age of the skeletons to be that of the
polished, or "new" stone period. The prospect of being able to restore
the men who lived before the earliest recorded dates is now very good.
Some hundreds of their skeletons, with a valuable series of skulls and
enormous collections of their handiworks, are now in the museums of the
world.

Some of the more remarkable of these discoveries have been alluded to
at different times in this Miscellany. One of the latest and most
interesting consists of some pointed sticks, found in a Swiss coal bed,
the pointing having been done by hand. It may be thought difficult to
establish so remarkable a fact in a mass of coal in which the rods have
been pressed flat and perfectly carbonized. But a microscopic
examination of one of these pieces shows that the fibres of the wood
run in two different directions, the two systems meeting at an angle.
One of the sticks has had its end shaved down, the cut surface being
then applied to the other, and some substance, probably bark, being
wound around the joint. The marks of this wrapping are perfectly
distinct, and in one case the wrapping itself remains. As the bark used
for this purpose was different from the natural bark of the rods, the
microscope is now able to distinguish between the two, though both are
turned to coal. Descriptions and illustrations of these interesting
relics are published in the "Primeval World of Switzerland," by the
celebrated Professor Heer. There is no doubt they formed part of some
basket work. Their age is still doubtful, but must be very great.

THE PHYLLOXERA CONQUERED.

The investigation instituted by the French Academy of Sciences into the
best means of destroying the phylloxera, or grapevine pest, h