A clever invention, which originated in France, is a life-saving buoy that has been used on the River Seine in Paris. Persons falling into the water at night often lose their lives because it is impossible to ascertain their whereabouts; or, if a life-saving apparatus of any kind is thrown to them in the darkness, they frequently drown before they can find it. This small apparatus consists of a combination of a buoy with an electric light; when the buoy is thrown into the water the light is lighted automatically. In connection with this invention the life-savers in Paris use a grappling-hook which we illustrate. This has an electric light near the end in the oval space; this light makes it possible to grapple for persons who may have gone down beneath the water. [Illustration: Grappling Hook] * * * * * [Illustration: Acetylene lamp] We have also received from France the account of an invention in the shape of a bicycle lamp in which acetylene is burned. The great difficulty with the use of acetylene has heretofore been that the gas will not burn unless under high pressure, and the receptacles in which the gas is generated could not be so made as to insure them against exploding. Acetylene gas, as generally used, is generated by bringing water in contact with the calcium carbide. The gas forms so rapidly that it is extremely difficult to control it, therefore the attention of inventors has been directed to this question. This lamp seems to be a very clever arrangement for producing the gas in the right quantity without danger of explosion. It is described very clearly by the illustration herewith. The upper part, "E," is a small reservoir in which water is put; this water is released in small quantities through the tube at the right, and, flowing into the lower part of the lamp, comes in contact with the calcium carbide, which is in the receptacle "P"; the gas thus generated is held in the reservoir "G," and when sufficient pressure has been created is forced out through the burner "B." The lamp is small and compact; it is but four inches high, and yields a beautiful bright light which will not blow out. When it is desired to put the light out, the button "R" is pressed down, thus shutting off the supply of water; this stops the generation of the gas, and the lamp soon goes out. * * * * * "C. H.," Germantown, Pa., asks if the bicycles used in the Klondike have rubber tires. We have seen no authentic account of the use of bicycles there. It is extremely improbable that any kind of a bicycle can be used to advantage in the Arctic regions, although a bicycle may be ridden with care safely on smooth snow or ice. SELECTED LIST OF NEW BOOKS * * * * * =THERE OFTEN= come into our hands great bargains in DICTIONARIES, ENCYCLOPAEDIAS, &c., &c., and we are glad to give our readers the benefit of these bargains. WE NOW HAVE ON HAND