The refuse in its descent through the high furnace is exposed to the drying action of the hot gases of distillation and the hot products of combustion, its temperature increasing in its descent the nearer it approaches the tuyeres, and becomes completely desiccated and combustible when it reaches the blast. The high heat in this way obtained by the combustion of the organic portion melts all of the inorganic portion, forming a vitreous slag or glass, which may be allowed to run continuously, or by closing the tap may be allowed to accumulate, and can be drawn off at intervals. If there is an adequate supply of clay and sand in the refuse to combine with the ashes, the slag will run hot and free. The combination of silex or alumina and an alkali in proper portions always yields a fusible, easy-running compound. The molten slag, as it runs from the furnace, may be discharged into tanks of cold water, which will pulverize or granulate it, making it like fine sand, or as it pours over a runner, through which it flows, if struck with a forcible air or steam blast it will be spun into fine thread-like wool. The furnace once lighted and started may be kept running day and night continuously for days, months, or years, if desired; but if it becomes necessary to stop at any time, the tuyere pipes may be removed and the holes all stopped with clay, so as to entirely shut off the supply of air, and it will then hold in fire for many days, and will be in readiness to start again at any time the pipes are replaced and the blast turned on. This furnace is the invention of Mr. Henry R. Foote, of Stamford, Conn. * * * * * AN ANCIENT GREEK VASE. The vase shown in the accompanying engravings must not be classed with ordinary ceramic ware, as it is a veritable work of art. It is the celebrated cup of Arcesilaus, which is preserved in the collection of the library of Richelieu street after having figured in the Durand Museum. It was found at Vulsei, in Etruria. It was made by a potter of Cyrene, the capital of Cyrenaica, founded by Greeks from the island of Thera. It is remarkable that Cyrene, removed from the center of Grecian manufacture, should possess a manufactory of painted vases from which have come so many works of art. The traveler, Paul Lucas, discovered in the necropolis of Cyrene, in 1714, many antique vases, both in the tombs and in the soil. One of them is still preserved in the Museum at Leyden. The Arcesilaus, who is represented on this vase, is not the celebrated skeptical philosopher of that name; it is Arcesilaus, King of Cyrenaica, who was sung by Pindar, and who was vanquished in the Pythian games under the 80th Olympiad (458 years B.C.). The height of this vase is 25 centimeters, its diameter 28 centimeters. The paste is very fine, of a pale red. It is entirely coated with a black groundwork, which has been generally re-covered with a yellowish white clay, baked on.