thrust to the bottom of the valley, while some of the party, with their watches in their hands, observed the effects.  At the expiration of fourteen seconds the dog fell off his legs without moving or looking round, and continued alive only eighteen minutes.  The other dog now left the party and went to his companion; on reaching him he was observed to stand quite motionless, and at the end of ten seconds fell down; he never moved his limbs after, and lived only seven minutes.  A fowl was now thrown in, which died in a minute and a half, and another which was thrown after it died in the space of a minute and a half.  A heavy shower of rain fell during the time that these experiments were going forward, which, from the interesting nature of the experiments, was quite disregarded.  On the opposite side of the valley to that which was visited, lay a human skeleton, the head resting on the right arm.  The effects of the weather had bleached the bones as white as ivory.  Two hours were passed in this valley of death, and the party had some difficulty in getting out of it, owing to the rain that had fallen.  The human skeletons are supposed to be those of rebels, who have been pursued from the main road, and taken refuge in the valley without a knowledge of the danger to which they were thus exposing themselves.—­(The effects, as here described, are identical with those at the Grotto del Cane, at Naples, and no doubt arise from the same cause.  These seem more strange in an open valley; but the mephitic air at the Grotto is so heavy that you may stand upright without inconvenience, as it rises but a few inches above the surface.)—­Morning Chronicle.

* * * * *

CHOLERA.—­VAPOUR BATH.

(To the Editor.)

As you know that a variety of remedies are put forth for the Cholera Morbus, and as the external application of heat, either by friction, or water or vapour baths, is among the most effectual means of arresting the fatal termination of that dreadful malady, perhaps the following description of a vapour bath may claim a place in the Mirror:—­

It is not generally known in England, that the settlers in the remote parts of North America make use of the following simple mode of procuring a vapour bath.

The patient is enveloped in blankets, which are closely fastened about the neck, leaving the head exposed.  He sits on a chair (under the chair is placed a basin, or deep dish, with half a pint of either alcohol or whisky, which is ignited)—­the blankets lap over each other, enveloping the whole, and are closed to the floor, by other blankets, &c., as much as possible.  In a very few minutes the patient is in a profuse perspiration; he is then immediately put to bed between warm blankets.

The simplicity and easy application of the above bath render it invaluable, as the most ignorant persons may use it with safety; and in such a disorder as the cholera morbus it may be found of excellent effect, before the possible arrival of a medical practitioner.