The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction | Page 9

minute; the blank
piece, previously properly prepared and annealed, being placed
between the dies by part of the same mechanism. The number of pieces
which may be struck by a single die of good steel, properly hardened
and duly tempered, not unfrequently amounts at the Mint to between 3
and 400,000. There are eight presses at the Mint, frequently at work ten
hours a day, each press producing 3,600 pieces per hour; but making
allowance for occasional stoppages, the daily progress of each press
may be reckoned at 30,000 pieces; the eight presses, therefore, will
furnish a diurnal average of 240,000 pieces.--_Quarterly Journal._
_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.
In Paris there is 1 physician to 1,300 inhabitants; 1 surgeon to 6,000
inhabitants; 1 apothecary to 4,450 inhabitants.
Being in the proportion of 1 physician in Paris to 5 in London; 5
surgeons in London to 1 in Paris; 7 apothecaries in London to 1 in
Paris.
Supposing, on an average, each of these persons to receive 1,000_l._ a
year, the whole