pounds per day; and the gum, when collected | two. Mr. Warrington, one of Dr. Vogel's can be sold at half the price of gum-arabic. companions, is also dead, and the doctor himAt a recent meeting of the Asiatic Society, self ill with fever; he has, however, despatched a confidential messenger to get possession, if possible, of Dr. Barth's papers. Africa exacts terrible penalties from those who penetrate her secrets.

a letter was read from Colonel Rawlinson, who when he wrote, was encamped amid the ruins of ancient Babylon. He had succeeded in tracing the old bed of the river all through the city, and in identifying many of the chief Another traveller, Madame Ida Pfeiffer, buildings by the aid of inscriptions on bricks has returned in safety. This enterprising and slabs scattered near their remains. He lady is now in London, after an absence of had, moreover, made out the site of the ancient three years and a half, during which she has wall, which in extent is not far from the di- seen places left unvisited in her former voymensions described by Greek writers. Being age round the world. She sailed in the year obliged to suspend operations for a time, on 1851 for the Cape of Good Hope, intending account of the extreme heat, the colonel had to travel from thence up to Lake Ngami, but set himself to translate the inscription on the being prevented by want of means, confined slab now preserved in the India House; and her journeyings to Cape Colony. Then she finds it to be a historical narrative of the deeds proceeded to Borneo, where she explored the of the great King Nebuchadnezzar, so much interior, Java, Sumatra, the Moluccas, across in agreement with the statements left by to California, and by the Isthmus to New Berosus, that he is inclined to place faith in Orleans, up the Mississippi to the Falls of St. that much-questioned historian. The excava- Anthony, through the United States to tions continued at Birs Nimroud and Kouy- Canada, and so to England. She is now takunjik, have led to no new discovery of inscrip- ing steps for the publication of her adventions-nothing more than sculptures, and a tures. few cylinders, the latter confirmatory of what Professor Buff has carried on the experiis known respecting Esarhaddon. Sir John ments set agoing by Cavendish, to show that Bowring has sent home some Chinese transla- glass, when heated, is a good conductor of tions of the Buddhist books carried into China electricity, and is especially useful in delicate from India in remote ages, the earliest being researches, from the facility with which the pasthe most desiderated. Many of them are ex-sage of the impulse may be controlled, by a ceedingly valuable, and it appears that no time is to be lost, if more are required, for the rebels destroy all the libraries and books that fall in their way, except the few published under their own authority.

M. Marriette is pursuing his excavations at Memphis, doing for that long-buried city what Layard did for Nineveh. The site was scarcely, if at all, known before he began his labors, and he has now disinterred the famous temple of Serapis-the Serapeum so often alluded to with regrets for its destruction. He has also found the tomb of Apis, which, in extent and multiplicity of vaults, chambers, and passages, is said to resemble a subterranean town. The style of architecture shews the buildings to have been erected at the time when Greek and Egyptian art came into combination.Numbers of oxen, representatives of Apis, have come to light, covered with inscriptions, from which important revelations are hoped. Most of the statues and monoliths have been sent to the Museum at Paris.

simple alteration of the temperature. It appears, also, that glass will serve instead of the liquid conductor in the pile, as alternate disks of brass, zinc, and glass are found to produce effective voltaic results. Dr. Emil Braun exhibits what he calls "cast marble "—a fluid substance, which, when poured into a mould, brings out the sharpest outlines, and hardens with a crystalline surface. It is said to be as well adapted for a group as for a single bust; and if so, copies of choice sculpture may be multiplied to any extent. Mr. Bowerbank has called the attention of geologists to an interesting fact-a bone found in the London clay of the Isle of Sheppey, which is believed to have belonged to a bird of the ostrich tribe, as large as the emu-another instance of animals now existing only in tropical climates having once lived in these latitudes. Apropos of geology: an example of the use to which names may be put, is to be seen in the Silurian Mills, recently opened at Knighton, Radnorshire, for the manufacture, among other arWe regret to have to follow these particn- ticles, of a new species of woollen substance, lars concerning the cities of the dead with ill to be named Silurian cloth. Professor Agassiz news from another quarter-we mean from has, we hear, been invited to offer himself as the interior of Africa. Dr. Barth has fallen a candidate for the vacant chair of Natural victim to the deadly climate. In his last letters, dated March 1854, he announced his intention of leaving Timbuctoo, after a stay of seven months, and his death is believed to have taken place within the next month or

History in the university of Edinburgh; but we think the distinguished naturalist will hardly be tempted to abandon his pleasant home and numerous friends in Massachusetts. M. Brocchieri mixes the albumen and fibrin

6

of the blood from the Paris abattoirs with flour, large steamers that lately left Marseille for the and thereby produces a nutritious biscuit, Black Sea, travelled nine knots an hour under which, as we hear, might be used with advan- this system, which consists in the steam not tage in large public establishments, or in the being condensed in the usual way, but being relief of the poor. So great is the demand for passed over a vessel filled with sulphuric ether. India-rubber combs, that an enterprising The ether evaporates at the moment of contact, American has started a factory for their whole- absorbs the heat, and the steam being made to sale production in the department of the Oise. move another piston in a second cylinder, adds An engineer at Rouen has invented a magnetic materially to the effective power of the first indicator for steam-boilers, the use of which cylinder. The inventor, M. de Trembley, offers manifest advantages, as it is fitted in the promises a considerable saving of fuel by the same orifice that serves for the safety-value use of his system; but as yet all the expecta and alarm-whistle: practical men know that tions have not been realized, and a serious obthe fewer openings in a boiler, the better. The jection exists in the fumes of the ether. indicator, which is connected with a copper- Professor Callan, of Maynooth, whose refloat, tells, whether there is too much or too markable improvements in galvanic apparatus little water, by the movement of a needle along we noticed some months ago, has made a further the index, the excitement being derived from advance by the invention of a ' single-fluid batthe action of the steam. A captain of engineers tery,' which offers advantages of great importat Cherbourg has invented a universal and ance to science and manufacturing industry. perpetual sun-dial, by means of which the hour Nitric-acid batteries, as is well known, though at any place of known latitude can be told the most powerful, are not so much used as whenever the sun is visible; or the latitude they might be, in consequence of the high cost may be determined by measuring the height of the acid and the porous cells required, and of the sun. The instrument, which is made of the difficulty of manipulating them without pasteboard, will serve for twenty years, and loss of time and accident, to say nothing of the tell the time within a couple of minutes, and noxious fumes from the acid. Moreover, if can be carried in a portfolio. A dial to pro- one of the cells be defective, the power of the duce similar results was invented some time whole battery is weakened; and in any cirago by Mr. Wheatstone; but it is less simple cumstances, the effectiveness of the power dein construction than the other. Sundry scien-pends much on stillness, the results being sentific congresses have been held in Holland: sibly reduced when the battery is in motion for the promotion of rural economy-for the improvement of medical science-for the better cultivation of tobacco, and some other important vegetable products for the abolition of pauperism-and one to agitate against the abuse of alcoholic drinks.

carried from place to place. All these, and other defects, are obviated by Professor Callan's single-fluid battery. We do not as yet know what the fluid is the secret being kept until the invention is secured by patent; but we learn that the plates may be of any size, Since the extension of the railway to Til- from three inches square up to two or three bury, opposite Gravesend, a scheme has been feet, and that neither nitric acid or porous talked of for erecting there the Emigrant's cells are required. The battery is thus easily Home, suggested by Mrs. Chisholm, somewhat filled; it may be carried in the hand, on a railon the model of the Homes at Hamburg and way-train, or on board ship, without suspendBremen, that so well accomplish the purpose ing its action, and will maintain a steady electric for which they were built. Should it be car-light although itself in motion. Here, then, is ried out, an intending emigrant in any part a means by which vessels at sea in foggy of the kingdom may ascertain the cost of car- weather may make their situation visible to riage from his residence, and of a week's stay the eye at a considerable distance; and to have in the Home, and proceed thither direct. He our locomotives rush along attended by an unwould have the best of information concerning interrupted blaze of light will greatly diminish ships-all his things would be packed under the chance of collision. For light-houses, for the direction of experienced packers-appara- signals on the tops of hills, or for use at the tus for washing clothes, etc., would be provided bottom of mines, or for public establishments, -and all at a moderate rate. Such an insti- the electric light of a single-fluid battery is a tution is much wanted. We may just remark, promising innovation. And with all this, the however, that more than 30,000 persons re- new battery is much less expensive than any turned from America to England during 1854. other. We have understood that the fluid for The French are still trying what can be sixty cells will not cost more than 8d., or 4d. done with their mixed system, as it is called, an hour for a brilliant electric light. The applied to marine steam-engines, concerning question has been asked, Why should not such which Messrs. Rennie, and other experienced a light be employed during the dark hours at engineers, have pronounced an opinion not the works of the New Westminster Bridge, as altogether favorable. La France, one of the well as the Napoleon Docks in Paris? We

think the best way would be to try Professor been lost sight of through want of a sufficient Callan's battery in conjunction with Deleuil's demand for its services, the present juncture is apparatus for regulating the coke points. one when it might be tried against a real eneThe new battery is to be called the 'Maynooth my, and not, as in the experiments made a few Single-fluid Battery,' to distinguish it from the years ago, against planks and boards. A ma"Maynooth Battery, which comprises nitric chine, discharging a continuous stream of bulacid and cast-iron plates. Besides this, Profes- lets, would be a terrific weapon. In one resor Callan is prepared with improvements for spect, at any rate, we have not been deficient, increasing the energy and effect of constant and that is in the railway, which by the time batteries generally. these lines appear in print will be commenced An impression prevails that, considering our from Balaklava to the camp. Such a liberty superiority over the Russian in practical sci- has never before been taken with an enemy's ence and mechanical art, we are not availing country; and we shall probably see new devices ourselves as we ought of our great resources in in the hostile arts growing out of it. Another reducing him to reason. Civilization is ex-matter in connection with the war, is the order pected to do something more than meet bar- forbidding the export of nitrate of soda to Eubarism with equal weapons. We hear, how-ropean ports north of Dunkirk. Few suspect ever, that Government is taking measures for this mineral to be other than a valuable fertilsome tremendous demonstrations in this par- izer; but Dr. Stenhouse drew attention to the ticular: Mr. Nasmyth is using his steam-ham-fact, that by the addition of an acid it could be mers in the manufacture of wrought-iron can- converted into nitre, and without waste, for non of extraordinary dimensions and strength, the refuse liquors convert Russian tallow into to which a ball of five hundredweights is to be excellent soap. Thus, by exporting nitrate but a trifle; Dr. Church's cannon, to throw a of soda, we threw a double advantage into the hundred balls in a few minutes, is again under hands of the enemy. Again, when we read consideration; a firm at Wolverhampton are that gangrene prevails to a large and fatal exat work on a peculiar kind of iron plates, to be tent in the hospital at Scutari, we can but reemployed in some way with a new species of gret that Dr. Stenhouse's demonstrations of the projectile; cannon-balls of all sizes are being beneficial effects of charcoal in such cases made by the thousand; and the manufacturers have not been applied. Finely powdered of armorers' implements and of rifles are as charcoal, sprinkled on gangrene, effectually busy as too much work can make them. More prevents the infection, and cures the disease; than a thousand Miniés a-week are delivered and it is most assuredly a remedy to be adopted to the Government. It has been suggested, in hospital practice. moreover, that as Perkins's steam-gun has

The Mining Journal introduces to notice a new A New York paper contains a long letter from and hitherto untried implement of war, named by London on the state of the copyright question, its inventor, Mr. Andrew Chalmer Smith, the having some strong observations on the trans"Lightning Projectile. It is devised by its in- actions of certain publishers in this country. genious discoverer on purely scientific principles, Mr. Bentley comes in for a share of the abuse; the propelling force being the expansive powers the writer hinting doubts of his literary honesty, of the gascous substances created from water de- whispering away the significance of certain facts composed by the action of the electric fluid. published by him, and insinuating a general disGunpowder acts by the expansive power of the trust of all statements coming from the house in gases produced by its ignition, 2,000 times its New Burlington Street. We are not Mr. Bentbulk being its average expansive force. The ley's champions or apologists; but there is an unaverage expansive force produced by the com- fairness in the letter to which we refer that all bustion of the gasses obtained from the decom-honorable minds will at once rebuke. Has Mr. position of water is stated to be from 3.500 to Bentley's house paid-or has it not paid-the al4,000 times the bulk, when exploded on the plan leged amounts to American authors? That is adopted by Mr. Smith. If such a power be man- the question. We have Mr. Bentley's authority ageable and brought under due control, we shall for stating that the following sums have been have a projectile force more than 1 1-2 greater paid by his firm for American copyrights to three than that of gunpowder, and capable, of course, American writers-that is, to Mr. Washington of producing results comparatively more effective. Irving, £ 2,450; to Mr. Prescott, £2,495; and We have been given to understand that the rc- to Mr. Fenimore Cooper, £12,590, in all, markable suggestions of Mr. Smith have, to a £17,535. Can any of these facts be denied? certain extent, been already adopted at Woolwich If not, where is the justice of classing Mr. Bentand, as ordinary guns can be fitted for the pur-ley with the literary pirates? pose, that his apparatus is already in course of

application to several pieces of ordnance.

Your earliest attention their blessed little bills, of Armand Marrast, editor of the National, and