tts; who states, that while pursuing the subject of
copper corrosion at the surface of the ocean, he was some years since
led to examine samples of copper, which had remained some time at the
bottom of the ocean. He found that copper and bronze, and even a brass
compound, from the bottom, were thickly incrusted with a sulphuret of
copper, frequently found in crystallized layers, having a constant
chemical composition, entirely free from chlorine or oxygen, the
corroding agents of the surface. Specimens of copper and bronze from mud
and clay at different depths, and in one instance from clean sand below
a powerful rapid, gave thick layers of sulphuret of copper, or copper
and tin. Instances of the corrosion of silver are also adduced. Mr.
Hayes concludes that the waters from the land, which are never destitute
of organic matter in a changing state, exert a very important influence
in causing the differences of chemical condition in the ocean. Organic
matter, he argues, dissolved from the surface of the earth, or from
rocks percolating the strata, assumes a state in which it powerfully
attracts oxygen; and waters holding this matter in solution readily
decompose sulphates of lime and soda even when partially exposed to
atmospheric air.

* * * * *

THE ASTEROIDS.--A letter from Prof. LEWIS R. GIBBS, of the Charleston
Observatory, given in the _Charleston Evening News_, enumerates thirteen
Kuam _Asteroids_; three having been discovered during the past year. The
following Table gives their names in order of discovery, date of
discovery, name and residence of discoverer, and the mean distances of
the Asteroids from the sun, that of the earth being called 1:

Name. Date. Discov'r. Place. M. Dist.

1. Ceres 1801, Jan. 1 Piazzi, Palermo 2,766
2. Pallas 1802, Mar. 28 Olbers, Bremen 2,772
3. Juno 1804, Sept. 1 Harding, Lilienthal 2,671
4. Vesta 1807, Mar. 29 Olbers, Bremen 2,361
5. Astraea 1845, Dec. 8 Hencke, Driessen 2,420
6. Hebe 1847, July 1 Hencke, Driessen 2,420
7. Iris 1847, Aug. 13 Hind, London 2,385
8. Flora 1847, Oct. 18 Hind, London 2,202
9. Metis 1848, April 25 Graham, Markree 2,386
10. Hygeia 1849, April 12 Gasparis, Naples 3,122
11. Parthenope 1850, May 11 Gasparis, Naples 2,440
12. Clio