_Cattle Scenting Rain._--Liable to long and parching droughts, the author of "_Letters from Buenos Ayres, Chili_," &c. notices the well-known instinct of cattle in scenting water at a wonderful distance, and describes an occasion wherein it was displayed on the approach of rain, in a similar manner as if a river or spring had been found. "The negroes were sent in different directions to see how far the scorched grass extended, and were at a considerable distance when the Father Provincial cried out, 'Look at the oxen, they smell water:' we all eagerly turned to the poor panting animals, and saw them stretch out their necks and raise their heads towards the west, and snuff the air in a manner as if they would be certain of obtaining drink could they but raise themselves in the air. At that moment not a cloud nor a single breath of air was to be seen or felt; but in a few minutes the cattle began to move about as if mad, or possessed by some invisible spirit, snuffing the air with most violent eagerness, and gathering closer and closer to each other; and before we could form any rational conjecture as to what could occasion their simultaneous motion, the most tremendous storm came on of thunder, lightning, and rain, I ever witnessed in my life. The rain fell in perpendicular streams as if all the fountains of heaven were suddenly broke loose; so that, in the space of a very few minutes, torrents of water rolled around us, and the cattle easily drank their fill at the spot on which they stood."--_Literary Gazette._ _Irish Bulls._--The secretary of a celebrated Agricultural Society in England, some years ago, in his rage for improvement, and not being overburdened with understanding, sent an order to a bookseller for Mr. and Miss Edgeworth's essay upon _Irish Bulls_, for the use of their society, to assist the members in improving the breed of cattle. _Modern Inventions._--The improvements made in all arts and sciences within the last 200 years have nearly doubled the present limitation of life, in that we live more in less time. The Egyptians were so ignorant of medicine, that, when any one was sick, they called in as many persons as possible to see him, that, if any one of them had the like distemper, he might say what was fit for his cure. Surgery was much the oldest branch of physick which they practised.-- Æsculapius was followed by a dog and a she-goat. The dog was taught to lick all ulcerated wounds, and the goat's milk was given for all diseases of the stomach and lungs.