Modes of salutation.—From the form of salutations among different nations we may learn something of their character, at least of their manners. In the southern provinces of China the common people ask "Ya Tan," that is, How have you eaten your rice; for in that is their greatest felicity. If two Dutchmen meet in the morning they wish each other good appetite. "Smaakelyk leten." In Cairo the inhabitants ask how do you sweat? for the not sweating is the symptom of an approaching fever. The Italian and Spaniard ask How does it stand? "Come sta." The Frenchman, How do you carry yourself? "Comment vous portez vous?" The German, How do you find yourself? "Wie befinden sie sich." The English, "How do you do?" The Dutchman says, How fare you. "Hau vaart uwe." There is one nation (we forget which) which ask "How do you live," and these are certainly the most wise of all.

To make starch.—To make starch from wheat, the grain is steeped in cold water until it becomes soft and yields a milky juice by pressure; it is then put into sacks of linen, and pressed in a vat filled with cold water; as long as any milky juice exudes, the pressure is continued; the fluid gradually becomes clear, and a white powder subsides, which is starch.

Chestnut wood has recently been successfully applied to the purpose of dyeing and tanning, thus forming a substitute for log-wood, and oak bark. Leather tanned by it, is declared by the gentleman who made the experiments, to be superior to that tanned with oak bark; and in dyeing, its affinity for wool is said, on the same authority, to be greater than that of either galls or sumac, and consequently the colour given more permanent. It also makes admirable ink.

The ants of Valencia.—M. Humboldt informs, that ants abound to such a degree near Valencia, that their excavations resemble subterraneous canals, which are filled with water in the time of the rains, and become very dangerous to the buildings.

Mr. Heathfield has published a pamphlet, in England, proposing to pay off one half of the national debt, by an assessment of 15 per cent. on the capital of all property in the kingdom. The Courier says the project "is wise, necessary, and will be effectual," and permit the repeal of twenty millions of taxes.

Longitude.—La Baronne De Paris Boisrowvray, has arrived in England from Paris, charged with a commission to present to the Admiralty Board, a theory of the compass, which gives the longitude and latitude of the globe, for the discovery of which the whole world has so long looked. The husband of this lady has submitted his theory to the Academy at Paris. His wife's mission to London was to prevent delay, as well as to have a trustworthy agent.

Indian Jurisprudence.—The Cherokees, it is said, have established something like a judiciary system, and introduced into their society many of the laws and usages of civilization. Some of their savage institutions are disappearing, under the ameliorating influence of moral justice. As a specimen of the manner in which they dispense justice in cases of trivial import, we relate the following anecdote, said to be authentic:

An Indian assaulted another, of which regular information was made. The judge ordered the sheriff to bring the parties before him. The sheriff went in pursuit of them, but returned without them. "Where are your prisoners?" said the judge. "I caught them," replied the sheriff,—"What did you do with them?" "I gave the defendant fifteen lashes." "What did you do with the plaintiff?" "Gave him fifteen too." "What with the informer or witness?" "Why I gave him twenty-five lashes—for, had he held his tongue, there would have been none of this fuss and trouble." It would be well if all the dispensations of justice could be so equally and promptly administered.

[Savannah Museum.

Preservation of Water at Sea.—M. Pernet, after an examination of the means which are, or may be adopted for the preservation of fresh water at sea, gives the preference to the following: 1½ parts of oxide of manganese in powder is mixed with 250 parts of water, and agitated every fifteen days. In this way water has been preserved unchanged for seven years.

The editor of the Annales de Chimie observes, that oxide of manganese has the power, not only of preserving water, but of rendering that sweet which has become putrid; but he also points out the important circumstance, that the oxide is slightly soluble in water, and therefore recommends the use of iron tanks for the water, as in England.

A species of limestone has been discovered in working the canal through the state of New York, and since in many parts of the country, so well adapted for water cement as to supercede the necessity of importing, as heretofore done, at great expense the principal ingredient of hydraulic mortar.

Charleston, January 27.—We have seen a specimen of white marble, recently discovered in Spartenburg district, about five miles from Broad river. It is acknowledged to be very superior; and its grain is said to surpass that of the Italian marble.