The subject is worthy of a scientific analysis, such as we have never seen bestowed upon it. The facts are well authenticated, but the philosophy of such ignition is not generally understood.--_Insurance Monitor_. * * * * * Fire-Proof Buildings. "It has long been a vexed problem with architects and builders, how to make a building completely fire-proof without the enormous expense of iron beams and girders, and even this has sometimes failed to prove a complete protection. In the building of the National State Bank, the architect estimated that it could not be made fire-proof in the ordinary style for less than $6,000, and while hesitating as to the expense and seeking to provide some remedy against the dampness incident to iron beams, Mr. Fowler learned from the SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN that Edwin May, of Indianapolis, the well-known architect of our county jail, had taken letters patent on a fire-proof lath for ceilings and inside partition walls, together with a concrete floor for the protection of the upper edge of the joist which by actual test had been demonstrated to be fire-proof. After a critical examination of the invention upon its merits, it was adopted, and the workmen are now engaged in putting it in. Our citizens engaged in, or contemplating building, will be interested in an examination of the work while in progress." [We copy the above from the _Lafayette_ (Indiana) _Courier_, and in this connection we make the following extract from a letter just received by us from Mr. May, the inventor: "You will see by the above notice one result of my advertisement in the SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN. This is only a _mite_. I have more than I can do, and I would say to inventors who are not realizing what they expected from their patents, that one _illustrated advertisement_ in the SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN will effect more than a notice in all the newspapers in the United States. This is saying a good deal but such is my belief."] * * * * * The Decline of American Shipping. At a meeting of the New York Chamber of Commerce, held December 16, to consider means for reviving American commerce, the following resolutions were adopted: Resolved, That this Chamber recommend to the Congress of the United States, about to assemble, the modification of existing laws, so that I. Foreign-built steamers may be imported free of duty, and privileged to carry the American flag, provided they are American owned and not to be employed in our coastwise trade. II. That iron plates and such other material for the construction of steamers as may be deemed advisable, be admitted free of duty. III. That on all ship stores procurable in bond, drawback be returned, as upon goods shipped for sale to foreign lands; and