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kingdom afforded another display of bril liant objects; their crystallization, and the splendour of their colouring, exceed any thing the most lively imagination can con

ceive.

Mr E. Donovan, the ingenious author of a series of interesting works illustrative of the Natural History of Britain, and proprietor of the museum of Natural History in Fleet street, has announced his intention of selling that collection by public auction in the beginning of next year, unless it shall have been previously disposed of. He states that it has cost him the labour of thirty years, and an expense of more than £15,000.

Sir Edward Home has submitted to the Royal Society a paper on the nature and effects of an infusion of colchicum autumnale and eau medicinale on the human constitution in cases of gout. He found from experiments, that the sediment of the latter is excessively drastic and severe, while that of the infusion of colchicum possesses about half the strength of the former; and that the clear tincture of both is equally effica cious in curing gout, without being so dreadfully destructive to the constitution. The result therefore of these experiments is, that the clear fluid, either of the vinous infusion of colchicum or of the cau medicinale, may be taken with equal advantage to the health, and much less injury to the body; but that of the former is much the milder of the two.

Mr John Davy has detailed, in a letter to his brother, Sir Humphry Davy, many new and curious experiments and observations on the temperature and specific gravity of the sea, made during a voyage to Ceylon. From these it appears, that the specific gravity of the sea is nearly the same every where; that the temperature is generally highest about noon; that it is higher during a storm, but that in this case the period of the highest temperature is somewhat later. He has found that shallow water is colder than deep; so that by this difference seamen may discover, at night, when they approach either shoals, banks, or the shore. On approaching the coast the water was always found to be two degrees colder than when in the open

sea.

In August last, a buck that was remarkably fat and healthy in condition, was killed in Bradby park, and, on opening him, it was discovered that, at some distant time, he had been shot in the heart; for a ball was contained in a cyst in the substance of that viscus, about two inches from the apex, weighing 292 grains, and beaten quite flat. In the second volume of the Medico-Chirurgical Transactions, is published an extraordinary case of a soldier who survived fortynine hours after receiving a bayonetwound of the heart; but a gun-shot

wound of the heart affords a still more striking example of the great extent to which this vital organ may sustain an injury from external violence, without its functions being immediately destroyed, or even permanently impaired.

Fusion of Wood Tin.-Dr Clarke of Cambridge has made a curious addition to our knowledge respecting wood tin. When exposed to the action of his powerful oxygen and hydrogen blow-pipe, it fuses completely, acquires a colour nearly similar to that of plumbago, with a very strong metallic lustre. Dr Clarke was

so obliging as to give me some specimens of wood tin thus fused. It was very hard; as far as I could judge, nearly as much so as common tin-stone. It was brittle, and easily reducible to a fine powder. I found it not in the least acted on by nitric acid, muriatic acid, and nitro-muriatic acid, even when assisted by heat. Hence, it must still continue in the state of an oxide.

The circumstance, that wood tin (and probably tin stone also) acquires a metallic lustre when fused, seems to decide a subject which has been agitated in this country with much keenness. It was asserted by Dr Hutton, and is still maintained by his followers, that all granite has been in a state of igneous fusion. From Dr Clarke's experiment, it may be inferred, with considerable confidence, that the granite in which the ores of tin occur has never been in a state of fusion.-Thomson's Annals, No 55.

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The Society for Elementary Instruction in France lately held a public meeting at the Hotel de Ville of Paris. the reports read by the secretaries it appears, that during the past year the new method of instruction has made great progress both in Paris and the provinces, and there is every reason to hope that it will soon become general. In the capital there are 15 schools in full activity; one of them has 333 scholars. The Prefect of the department of the Seine has effected the establishment of two normal schools, one for training masters, and the

other mistresses. The country towns want nothing but teachers to found institutions similar to those of Paris: and in several places, societies numbering more than 700 subscribers have been formed. The methods of Bell and Lancaster have been combined, and improved in various respects. In the garrison towns a beginning has been made to apply the new method to the education of soldier's children. The minister of the interior has sent out teachers to the Isle of Bourbon, Senegal, and Corsica. Swiss, Spaniards, Italians, and Russians, have come to Paris to learn the new method; so that we may fairly presume, that the benefits of this system, which originated in England, will soon be diffused over all Europe. The Society of Paris speaks in high terms of the encouragement and the assurances of friendship that it has received from the Society of London, with which it keeps up a correspondence.

At a general meeting of the Society for the Encouragement of Industry in France, held on the 9th April 1817, the secretary, Baron de Gorando, read a report of the labours of the Society during the preceding year.

In the department of experiments and observations, notice is taken of a siphon presented to the Society by M. Landren, which has two branches that convey at the same time both water and air, and is supposed by the inventor to be capable of renewing the air in mines. The committee of the Society, to whom it was remitted, had not been able to form a judgment of this instrument, but from very imperfect models, and from reports, the results of which they have not been able to verify. Similar in some respect to the tinman's pump of Seville, and the horns of the Catalonian forges, it can introduce air into furnaces and mines at all times, when there is an opportunity of carrying off the water employed or deposited; but in the one case, the humid air unavoidable by this method must, in the opinion of the committee, be injurious to the fusion of the metals; and in the other case the chance, they think, is greater, of the noxious gases common to mines being aspired than of their being displaced by the introduction of new air.

Among new improvements of existing processes, the attention of the Society was particularly directed to the perfection to which the preparation of platinum had been brought. Not only is the mode of purifying it most complete; but little ductile as it seems, it is now reduced into leaves as fine as those of gold. MM. Cuog and Contourier of Paris, have presented to the Society a vase of platinum, purified according to the process of M. Breant, assayer to the mint, which is formed of one single leaf without sol

dering; contains 160 litres, and weighs 15 kilogrammes (31 lbs.) The cost is 18 francs per ounce. The vase is intended to be employed in the concentration of sulphuric acid. It is but just, the Report adds, to observe that Janety the younger was the first to fabricate vases of plati num of a large size, but not without soldering. This artist furnishes the metal at present at 14 francs the ounce, either in plate or wire.

The most remarkable of the new inventions which have been submitted to the Society, is one of a portable anemometer, constructed by M. Regnier. The idea of it was suggested to the inventor by M. Buf. fon. It has been applied in a very ingenious manner to make a hall clock indicate not only the force and direction of the wind, but even the maximum of action which it has exerted during the absence of the observer.

GERMANY.

The illustrious anatomist Sömmering has just published the description of a new species of the fossil genus of animal, named ornithocephalus, under the name brevirostris. Of the ornithocephalus antiquus or longirostris, a figure and description has been given to the public, by Professor Jameson, in the third edition of Cuvier's Theory of the Earth.

Dr Spix of Munich, well known to naturalists by his history of Zoology, and a splendid work on the Crania of Animals, is now preparing for publication an uncommonly interesting work, entitled " Zoologia et Phytographia Bavaria Subterranea.”

The celebrated comparative anatomist Tiedmann, along with Oppel, is employed on an extensive work on the Anatomy of the Amphibia. It is promised to compare the structure of the present tribes of amphibious animals with those fossil species found in limestone and other rocks, and thus to connect together, in an interesting manner, the views of the zoologist with those of the comparative anatomist.

Mr Secretary Von Schreiber has brought to Vienna a series of specimens of the diamond imbedded in a venigenous mass, not an amygdaloidal rock, as maintained by some mineralogists.

Count Dunin Borkowsky, a distinguished pupil of Werner, has discovered amber imbedded in sand-stone, a fact of great interest to geologists.

Blesson has just published a treatise on the Magnetism and Polarity of Rocks.

There has been lately published at Berlin, by P. E. Miller, a curious collection of the Sagen, or Stories of Ancient Scandinavia.

Ebeling has published the seventh volume of his History of the United States of America. It is dedicated to the geography and statistics of Virginia.

William Von Humboldt, brother to the celebrated traveller, has published an admirable metrical translation of the Agamemnon of Eschylus.

C. J. M. Langenbeck has published a valuable work, entitled" Commentarius de structura pertonæi, testiculorum tunicis, eorumque ex abdomine in scrotum descensu, ad illustrandum, herniarum indolem. Annexæ sunt xxiv. Tabulæ ancæ. Text 128 pages large 8vo, plates in folio.

The celebrated Professor Eschenberg has just published the sixth edition of his Manual of Classical literature, which is particularly valuable on account of the full and accurate enumeration it contains of all the newest and best editions of the Roman and Grecian classics.

Professor Brandes of Breslau, well known by his astronomical writings, is now engaged in a work on Meteorology, on the same plan with his popular Treatise on Astronomy. He also proposes the publication of a periodical Meteorological Journal.

Tiedmann has lately published a folio work, with plates, on the anatomy of the Asterias, Holothura, and Echinus.

The first part of the second volume of Meckel's Classical Work, Pathological Anatomy, has just appeared.

H. de Martuis has published, at Leipsic, a curious tract de Lepra Taurica.

The celebrated philosopher, Tenneman, has published a second edition of his excellent Work, entitled, Elements of History and Philosophy, for the use of Academies.

Sprengel has just published the 6th volume of his Institutiones Medicæ. It treats of Therapia Generalis.

There has just appeared at Leipsic, a work on Western Africa, in 4 volumes, with 44 Plates and Maps.

The missionary scheme meets with much support in Germany. Most of the proceed ings of the Missionary Society are reported. in Germany-their works translated and commented on. The travels of Campbell in Africa have just been translated.

N. Furst, at the last Leipsic Fair, published an interesting series of Letters on the Literature of Denmark.

Scheller has just published the 2d volume of his Manual of German Literature, from Lessing to the present time.

The eccentric Dr John of Berlin, the celebrated chemist, has published a curious work on the natural history of amber.

Fr. Adelung has published, at Petersburgh, a work on the merit of the Empress Catharine, as a philologist.

Schwaegrichen of Leipsic has published a posthumous work of Hedwig on Mosses. Jürgen has published two decades of VOL. I.

a curious work, entitled, Algæ aquatica quas et in littora maris Dynastiam Jeveranum et Frisiam orientalem alluentis rejectis et in parum terrarum aquis habitantas:

The celebrated Swedish botanist, Thunberg, has just published a Flora of the Cape of Good Hope, under the following title, "Flora capensis sistens plantarum Promontorii Boni Spei Africæ, secundum systema sexuale emendatum redacta ad classes, ordines, genera, et species; 2 vols. Upsala.

A Greek Atheneum, or College for modern Greeks, has been founded on a liberal plan at Munich, by Professor Thursch. This conspires with many other circumstances to raise the character and prospects of the Greeks.

The ancient library of Heidelberg has been restored in great splendour, and now contains some of the most curious manuscripts in Europe.

An Academy, in some measure similar to our Society for the encouragement of Arts, has been recently established at Vienna; it is endowed by the Emperor with his grand collection of Natural History, and likewise possesses an extensive chemical and philosophical laboratory, together with models and specimens of machinery, &c. The Austrians hope by its means to improve their manufactures, and to become independent of foreign industry. The design is patriotic, and we wish them success; but of this we are certain, that as foreign nations become rich by means of manufacture, so will a new class start up for the purchase of British manufactures. A country, merely agricultural, is never a very good cus

tomer.

A German paper states, that Professor Goerres, who is now at Coblentz, has declined the situation, of Secretary to the Academy of Fine Arts at Stuttgard, in order to accept the more advantageous offers made to him by the Prussian Government, from which he has obtained permission to resume the publication of his Rhenish Mercury.

Goëthe has resigned the management of the Weimar theatre, which owes its reputation to himself and Schiller, because he would not assent to the appearance of a quadruped performer on that stage in the Dog of Montargis. He is proceeding the more assiduously with his own Biography, which he has entitled Fiction and Truth; and of which the 5th volume, containing his residence in Italy, is now published. In the second number of his View of the Arts in the Countries bordering on the Main and Rhine, he strongly censures the puerile imitation of the style of antique art, so universally affected by modern painters and amateurs.

The most important dramatic phenomenon is King Yngurd, a romantic tragedy, by Adolf Mullner, who resides at Weissenfels on the Saale, and who, though 45 years of age before he produced his first tragedy, 2 H

entitled, Der Schuld (Guilt), is now justly considered as the first dramatic writer of his nation. His new piece, the scene of whcih is laid in Norway, might in many of its situations sustain a comparison with Shakspeare himself. It has just been published with six engravings by Göschen of Leipzig.

ITALY.

It is a general opinion, that the atmosphere of Italy is clearer than that of France or England, and therefore much better fitted for astronomical observations. But this opinion, in regard to the so called garden of Europe, the soi-disant terrestial paradise is false. Pond, the Astronomer royal, says, that it is not a country for practical astronomy, and that the climate of England is much more advantageous, and has more clear days. The prevailing wind in Italy is the south, which brings rain in winter, and fog in summer. Even Naples does not possess an astronomical climate. In the winter season, rains like those of the tropical regions deluge the country for ten or twelve weeks; and in summer, the air exhibits all the silvery and pearly hues known to the painter. If we look at the landscapes of the Italian school, we at once obtain a conception of the atmosphere of Italy. Florence has been celebrated for its fine climate and clear sky. Those who have made this observation, probably never heard of the proverb, "Qu'on ne comprend pas qu'on y peut vivre en été et n'y pas mourir en hiver." Even Genoa, the climate of which is so much admired, is named the Urina dell' Italia. Astronomical instruments suffer there from moisture more in a few months than in France in as many years.

Brocchi, a distinguished Italian naturalist, has discovered, in the neighbourhood of Veletri, columnar basalt, resting upon a bed of pumice, which contains bones of quadrupeds.

General Count Camillo Borgia has lately returned to Naples from Africa, after hav

ing been engaged in antiquarian researches for nearly two years in the neighbourhood of Tunis. He established such an interest with the Bey and his ministers, as to obtain an unqualified permission to examine the antiquities of that country. He caused considerable excavations in various places; especially on the site of the ancient Carthage, and at Utica; and the general result of his labours has been, that, along the coast and in the interior, he has examined the ruins of more than 200 cities and towns, and made copies and drawings of 400 ancient inscriptions and remains, hitherto unpublished and unknown. Among the inscriptions are some which appear to be in the ancient Punic language. The most important of the public buildings which have been discovered, is a Temple at Utica, containing 80 columns of oriental granite, and a statue of the goddess Flora. He is at present employed in arranging his materials, and preparing the result of his discoveries for the press.

SWITZERLAND.

Alpine Districts.-Extensive researches into the mineralogy of those regions have recently been made by the indefatigable M. Brochant, who, after repeated examinations, and most laborious investigations, has ascertained that the lofty summits of the Alpine Hills, through the whole range from St Gothard to Mount Cenis, do not consist of an absolute granite as has generally been supposed. This applies more especially to Mont Blanc, which, in common with the others, is of a species of granite particularly chrystaline, abounding in talcous and feldsparic rock, and containing, in many instances, beds of metallic minerals. M. Brochant, however, is of decided opinion, that the southern border of the Alpine chain consists of real granite; he therefore takes analogy for the basis of his reasoning; and supposing it most probable, that the granitic stratum supports the talcous, he infers that the higher summits of the chain, relatively considered, are not the most ancient part of those mountains.

WORKS PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION.

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1

LONDON.

with leading Questions and Hints, designed as an easy Manuduction to the Practice of English Composition; 3. Poetic Reading made Easy, by means of Metrical Notes to each Line; 4. An Appendix of Select Prose; by John Carey, LL.D.

PROPOSALS have been issued for publishing by subscription, in three volumes 12mo, Historical and Literary Botany, containing the qualities, anecdotes, and superstitions relative to those Trees, Plants, and flowers, which are mentioned in Sacred and Profane History; the particulars of some rare and curious Plants which bear the names of celebrated persons; and also those which are used in the religious worship and civil ceremonies of divers nations; together with the devices, proverbs, &c. which derive their origin from these vegetables; concluding with a Romantic Story, entitled, "Flowers, from the French of Madame de Genlis, within a useful manner, any system of husExplanatory Notes," &c.; by Eliza J. Reid.

Dr Blake of Weymouth is preparing for the press, in several volumes imperial 4to, a Splendid and Authentic Peerage of the United Kingdom, from the Earliest Records to the Present Day, in which will be given a genealogical and tabular view of the personal descent, original creation, and collateral branches of every title, whether living or extinct; forming at once a clear and comprehensive history of every family on which any distinction had been conferred by the Sovereigns of these kingdoms. It is intended, in this Elementary Work, to supersede the cross-reading and numerous parentheses, which render the present pedigrees of our nobility so unintelligible.

A General History of the Quadrupeds of America, illustrated by coloured plates engraved from original drawings, is preparing for publication. It will correspond in form with the late Alexander Wilson's splendid illustrations of American Ornithology.

Mr Overton of Crayford, Kent, has in a state of great forwardness, a work in two volumes 8vo, entitled, the Genealogy of Christ, elucidated by Sacred History; with a New System of Sacred Chronology; in which the Addition made by the Seventy Translators to the Hebrew, is considered to refer to the period of the Son of Man before the Fall; by which the Truth of Scripture is demonstrated by its Chronology; serving as an Antidote to the venomous pen of Vol

ney.

Memoirs, with a Selection from the Correspondence and other unpublished Writings of the late Mrs Elizabeth Hamilton, are printing in two crown 8vo volumes.

The first volume of the Transactions of the Literary Society of Bombay is printing

in 4to.

Early in July will appear an Introduc tion to English Composition and Elocution, in four parts, viz.-I. Esop modernised and moralised, in a series of amusing and instructive Tales, calculated as Reading Lessons for Youth; 2. Skeletons of those Tales,

Sir John Sinclair announces his long pro mised Code of Agriculture, founded on all the publications of the Board, and intended to comprise a summary of their results. The following are the outlines of his plan :

66

1. To consider those Preliminary Points" to which a farmer ought to attend, otherwise he can never expect to carry on,

bandry. These particulars are, climatesoil-subsoil-elevation-aspect--situation

tenure, whether in property or on lease rent-burdens on, and size of the farm. 2. To inquire into the nature of "Those means of cultivation which are essential to ensure its success:" these are, capital-regu lar accounts-arrangement of agricultural labour-farm servants-labourers in husbandry-live stock-implements-agricul tural buildings--command of water-divisions of fields, and farm roads. 3. To point out"The various modes of improving land," by cultivating wastes-enclosing draining-manuring-paring and burning

--fallowing-weeding-irrigation-flooding warping-embanking, and planting. 4. To explain "The various modes of occupy. ing land," in arable culture-grass-woods

gardens, and orchards. And, 5. To of fer some general remarks on "The means of improving a country," by diffusing information-by removing obstacles to improvement, and by positive encouragement. The work is intended to form a large volume in octavo, and it will be published early in August.

A work on Biblical Criticism on the Books of the Old Testament, and translations of Sacred Songs, with notes, critical and explanatory, by Samuel Horsley, LL. D. F. R. S. F. A. S. late Lord Bishop of St Asaph, is preparing for publication.

The continuation, in octavo, with engravings, is printing, of Travels in South America, by Messrs Humboldt and Bonpland; translated from the French, under the superintendence of M. Humboldt, by Helen Maria Williams.

The Remains of James Dusautoy, late of Emanuel College, Cambridge, are in the press.

Mr Armiger is engaged in researches, and in the collection of materials for an English work on Physiology, intended to supply an acknowledged deficiency in the elementary medical books of this country,to exhibit the present state of that important science, and the extent to which it is

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