much sugar contributed to increase the disorder, and to shorten its life. It continued at Paris but one summer, and died in London."

We are told by Pyrard, that the OuranOutangs are found at Sierra Leona; where they are strong and well-formed, and so industrious, that, when properly trained, and fed, they work like servants; that, when ordered, they pound any substances in a mortar; and that they are frequently sent to fetch water, in small pitchers, from the rivers. After filling the pitchers, they carry them on their heads to the door of the dwelling; but if they are not soon taken off, the animals suffer them' to fall to the ground. When they perceive the pitcher to be overturned and broken, they utter loud lamentations.

The form and organs of this animal bear so near a resemblance to those of men, that we are suprised to find them productive of so few advantages. The tongue, and all the organs of the voice are similar, and yet the animal is dumb; the brain is formed in the same manner as that of man, and yet the creature wants reason; an evident proof, as Buffon finely observes, that no arrangement of matter will give mind; and that the body, how nicely soever formed, is formed to very limited ends, when there is not infused a soul to direct its operations.

The Grotto of Antiparos.

Of all the subterraneous caverns now known, the grotto of Antiparos, an inconsiderable island in the Archipelago, which is a part of the Mediterranean sea, is the most remarkable, as well for its extent as for the beauty of its sparry incrustations. This celebrated cavern was first explored by an Italian traveller, in the seventeenth century.

"Having been informed," says he, " by the natives of Paros, that in the little island of Antiparos, which lies about two miles from the former, a gigantie statue was to be seen at the mouth of a cavern, the French consul and myself resolved to pay it a visit.

After we had landed on the island, and walked about four miles through the midst of beautiful plains and sloping woodlands, we at length came to a little hill, on the side of which yawned a horrible cavern, that by its gloom struck us with terror, and almost repressed curiosity. Recovering from the first surprise, however, we entered boldly; and had not proceeded above twenty paces, when the supposed statue of the giant presented itself to our view. We quickly perceived, that what the ignorant natives had been terrified at as a giant, was nothing more than a sparry concretion, formed by the water dropping from the roof of the cave, and by degrees hardening

into a figure which their fears had transformed into monster.

Incited by this extraordinary appearance, we were induced to proceed still further into this subterranean abode. As we proceeded, new wonders offered themselves; the spars, formed into trees and shrubs, presented a kind of petrified grove; some white, some green, and all receding in due perspective. They struck us with the more amazement, as we knew them to be mere productions of Nature, who, hitherto in solitude, had in her playful moments dressed the scene as if for her own amusement.

We had yet seen but a few of the wonders of the place, and were introduced only into the portico of this amazing temple. In one corner of this half-illuminated recess, there appeared an opening about three feet wide, which seemed to lead to a place totally dark, and which one of the natives assured us, contained nothing more than a reservoir of water. Upon this information, we made an experiment by throwing down some stones, which rumbling along the side of the descent for some time, the sound seemed at last quashed in a bed of water.

Our candles being now all lighted up, and the whole place completely illuminated, never could the eye be presented with a more glittering or a more magnificent scene. The whole

roof was hung with solid icicles, transparent as glass, yet hard as marble. The eye could scarcely reach the lofty and noble ceiling; the sides were regularly formed of spars, and the whole presented the appearance of a superb theatre, illuminated by an immense profusion ́ of lights. The floor consisted of solid marble, and in several places magnificent columns, thrones, altars, and other objects, appeared as if nature had designed to mock the curious productions of art, Our voices upon speaking or singing, were redoubled to an astonishing loudness; and upon the firing of a gun, the noise and reverberation were almost deafening.

In the midst of this grand amphitheatre rose a concretion of about fifteen feet high, that in some measure resembled an altar; and we caused mass to be celebrated there.-The beautiful columus that shot up round the altar appeared like candlesticks ? and many other natural objects represented the customary ornaments of this rite.

Below even this spacious grotto, there seem→ ed another cavern, down which I ventured with my former guide, and descended about fifty paces by means of a rope, I at last arrived at a small spot of level ground, where the bottom appeared different from that of the amphitheatre, being composed of some clay, yielding to the pressure, and into which H

I thrust a stick to the depth of six feet. In this, however, as above, numbers of the most beautiful crystals were formed; one of which particularly resembled a table.

Upon our egress from this amazing cavern, we perceived a Greek inscription upon a rock at the mouth, but so obliterated by time that we could not read it distinctly. It seemed to impart that one Antipater had come hither; but whether he penetrated into the depths of the cavern he does not think fit to inform us. This account of so beautiful and striking a scene may serve to give us some idea of the subterranean wonders of nature.

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The Hospitable Negro Woman.

THE enterprising traveller, Mungo Park, was employed, by the African Association, to explore the interior regions of Africa. In this hazardous undertaking, he encountered many dangers and difficulties. His wants were often supplied, and his distresses alleviated, by the kindness and compassion of fhe negroes. He gives the following lively and interesting account of the hospitable treatment he, received from а poor negro

woman.

"

1

Being arrived at Sego, the capital of the kingdom of Bambarra, situated on the banks of the Niger, 1 wished to pass over to that