SCIENTIFIC HOAXES.

Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2, 2 July 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

SCIENTIFIC HOAXES.

The great lesson which Cuvier taught the world was, that many races of animals were intirely extinct and that Nature's chain ot existence had not one, but many missing links. From his recognition of that fact the science of palaeontology may be said to date. But the carnivorous nature of the mastodon was too fascinating an absurdity to be so easily killed, and it continued to appear at intervals. As late as 1835 we find a New England medical professor writing as if it wore an unquestionable fact. The giant theory lingered still longer, and even yet cannot be considered entirely extinct among the unlearned. The dictum that the superstitions of one age are but the science of preceding ages receives ample confirmation in the history of the subject. Not longer ago than 1846 a mastodon skeleton was exhibited in New Orleans as that of a giant. The cranium was made of raw hide, fantastic wooden teeth were fitted in the jaws, all mxssing parts were restored after the human model, and the whole raised upon the hind legs. It certainly conveyed the notion of "a hideous, diabolical giant," and was no doubt responsible for many nightmares. As a sad commentary on the state of the medical profession in the south-west at that time, it may be added that the exhibitor was perfectly honest in his belief, and to support his faith he had a trunk full of physicians certificates that these were human bones. In 184 0 "Dr." Koch, a German charlatan, created a great sensation by announcing the discovery of the leviathian of Job, which he called the Missourium, from the State, where it was found. It turned out, however, to be nothing but a mastodon preposterously mounted. Koch had added an extra dozen or more joints to the backbone and ribs to the chest, turned the tusks outward into a semicircle, and converted the animal into an aquatic monster which anchored itself to trees by means of its sickle-shaped tusks, and then peacefully slumbered on the bosom of the waves. Like the Siberians, he found interesting confirmations of his views in the book of Job, that refuge of perplexed monster-makers. Kock took his leviathan to London, where it was purchased by the British Museum, and reconverted into a mastodon by Professor Owen, who at once recognised its true nature. — From 'American Elephant Myths,' by Prof. W. B* Scott, in Scribaer'a Magazine. ]

TIT BITS. It is related iv a monthly magiizine of a man that, having once picked up a sovereign lying in the road, he ever afterwards, as he walked along, kept his eyes steadfastly on the ground, with hope of finding another. In the course of his long life he did pick up, at different times, a large amount of gold and silver. But all those days as he was looking for the gold and [ silver he saw not that heaven was bright above him and nature was beautiful around. He never ouce allowed his eye to look up from the mud and filth in which he sought the treasure, and when he died a rich old man, he only knew this fair earth of ours as a dirty road to pick up money as we walk along. It is impossible that the man should retain the fresh unconsciousness of the child. Yet, as long journeys often bring us back to the home, to appreciate its blessings the better for our increased knowledge of other places, so years wisely lived often bring us back to estimate more fully and value more highly the simple sincerity and guilelessness of childhood. Indeed the most perfect manhood is that which loses none of the virtues of any age, but gathers them as life goes on, and infuses into them all new meaning and power with every grain of wisdom and strength. Humanity can only be 'improved, tanght, or comprehended by humanity itself, by whioh I mean by those who acknowledge the imperfections, as well as the achievements and beauties, of human life ; and hence it comes to pass that an artist who sets himself to be alwajs beautiful — first and chiefly — is not unlike a man who sets himself to be always gay ; his laughter must often jar upon us, and there must be many truths which he does not understand. His work becomes, in this respect at least, not altogether human. — "Sentontiue Artie," by Harry Quilter. D'lsraeli, in " Curiosities of Literature," thus accounts for the common expression to " write like an angel. 1 ' This fanciful phiase has a very human origiu. Among those learned Greeks who emigrated to Italy and soon afterwards tp France in the reign of Francis 1., was one Angelo Verjecto, whose beautiful caligmphy excited the admiration of the learned. '1 he French^ monarch had a Greek fount cast, modelled by his writing. His name became synonymous for beautiful writing, and gave birth to that familiar phrase " to write like an angel." Jf you want knowledge, yo\i must toil for it ; if food, yon must toil for it ; and if pleasure, you must toil for it. Toil is the law Pleasure couies throngh toil, and not by self-indul-gence and indolence. When one gets to love work, his life is a happy one. — Ruskin. No man, however wise, can look very far ahead ; but the man who has been equipped with knowledge and readiness will win the prize in the uear future. There is some help for all the defects of fortune, for if a man cannot attain to the length of his wishes, he may have his remedy by cutting them shorter. Firmness and gentleness work together far more efficiently than either could alone. The strength that is allied to sweetness has a far deeper and wider influence than would be possible were it accompanied by bitter criticism. Let us beware of that proud philosophy which affects to inculcate philanthropy, while it denounces every home-born feeling by which it is produced and nurtured. The paternal and filial duties discipline the heart, and prepare ib for the love of all mankind. The intdnsity of private attachments encourages, not prevents, universal benevolence. The nearer we approach the suu, the more intense his heat ; yet what corner of the system does he not cheer and vivify 1 — Coleridge. Sir Andrew Clarke defines health as " that Btate in which the body is not consciously present to us; the stato in which work is easy and duty uot over great a trial ; the state in which it is a joy to see, to think, to feel, and to be." He is happy whose circumstances suit his temper, but ho is more fortuuate who can suit his temper to his circumstances. It is well to be sanguine and full of anticipation ; we are the better off for our hopes even if they are never realised. There are many men whose tongues might govern multitudes, if they could but govern themselves. The world's a bubble, all the pleasures in it, Like mourning vapours, vauish in a minute, Tho vapours vanish aud the bubble's broke ; A slave to pleasures isa slave to smoke. — Francis Quarles. The shame that arises from praise which we do not deserve often makes us do things wo should never otherwise haveattempted.— Rochefoucauld. He who is most charitable in his judgment is generally the least unjust. A good cause gives stout heart and strong arm. * Pride is as loud a beggar as want, and a great deal more saucy. When you have bought one fine thing you must buy tea more, that your appearance may be all of a piece ; but it is easier to suppress the first desire than to satisfy all that follow it. After a day's weary march, Mohammed was camping with his followers. One said, " I will loose my camel and commit it to God." Mohammed said, " Friend, tie thy camel, and then commit it to God.'"— Wendell Phillips. Men must pursue things which are just in the present, and leave the future to the divine providence. — Bacon. It is not so much he whose possessions are little as he -whose desites are great who is poor. When a proud man hears another man praised he feels himself injured. Scholarship without tact and breeding is but tiresome pedantry. To write a good love-letter, you ought to begin without knowing what you mean to say, and to finish without knowing what you have written. — Rousseau.