PETRIFIED BODY.

Patea Mail, 5 October 1880, Page 3

PETRIFIED BODY.

A petrified human body weighing nearly 2,0001b is said to have been found recently near the city of Washington. It measured six feet 3 inches in length, and was broad in proportion. The chest, arms, and legs were magnificently shaped and well preserved, and the rest were perfect. It had evidently lain upon its back. One leg was slightly drawn up, and the left hand was clenched, but there was nothing in it. The right hand grasped a tomahawk. The hair was rumpled and matted. A large hole was found in the forehead over the right eye, which looked as if it had been made by a bullet. The theory advanced is that this is some great chieftain who had fallen in battle with the early settlers, and his braves, being worsted, were obliged to retreat. Not having time to carry his body off with them, and not wishing the whites to fall heirs to it, they hastily dug a grave and here deposited the mortal remains of their beloved leader. It is in perfect form and preservation, the features of the face depicing the death agon y.

It is said that a male wasp does not sting But as a male and female wasp wear the same kind of polonaise, and look as much alike as twins, the only way to distinguish their sex is to catch one. If it stings it is a female ; it not, it is a gentleman wasp. Germany and Austria have entered into offensive, and defensive alliance. Overtures were made to Italy, and were well received.

In Chicago the milkmen recently had a ball. It seems probable the figures were chalked on the floor and the gentlemen danced in pumps to short measure.

A mean man put sixteen hornets in a whisky bottle, and gave it to a Texan man, in the dark, to take a drink out of> and though the hornets got in their work as they went down, the Texan remarked that it was not real Texan whiskey, as it lacked fire.

“ Pinafore ” is to be reproduced in Wellington with Miss Leaf as Josephine, and other characters by well known amateurs.

Pure meerchum has been found by some well sinkers near Geelong.

It costs a ship like the Lusitania £22,000 to make the voyage to and from Australia.

By famine in the north of Hungary 1400 persons are living on grass, nettles, and mushrooms. According to Mr Bussell, this is the driest winter known in New South Wales for 40 years.

England has a complete steam monopoly of the North Atlantic, as far as New York is concerned.

Bolivia is in a state of anarchy, owing to the unsuccessful war with Chili. The populace have risen against the Government, and it is reported that General Daze has been murdered.

The land revenue at Dunedin for the September quarter was £12,234.