When we examine the various causes of loss of vessels at sea, we find nearly 43 per cent. of the tonnage under the head of "wrecked," which includes vessels lost through stranding, or through striking rocks, sunken wrecks, etc. Next come 22 per cent. broken up or condemned; 14 per cent. lost, missing; 8 per cent. lost by collision; 4.3 per cent. burnt; 5 per cent. abandoned at sea; and 3.6 per cent. foundered. The following table shows the mercantile marine of the world, according to Lloyd's Register, at the end of March, 1896: Flag. Steam and Sailing Vessels Owned. No. Tons. British. /United Kingdom. 9227 12,117,957 \Colonies. 2309 1,124,682 America, United States of. 3220 2,164,753 Austro-Hungarian. 309 304,970 Danish. 812 356,714 Dutch. 458 446,861 French. 1164 1,094,752 German. 1730 1,886,812 Italian. 1239 778,941 Norwegian. 3041 1,659,012 Russian. 1086 487,681 Spanish. 748 554,238 Swedish. 1432 497,877 Other European countries. .... ......... Central and South America. .... ......... Asia. .... ......... Other countries. .... ......... --Engineering. * * * * * NEW METHODS OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AT PARIS.