KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. multiply by 2.25, and add 32. To reduce degrees Reaumur below zero to degrees Fahr., multiply by 2.25, and subtract from 32.] The Value of Observation.-Many people are too apt to take things upon trust. By so doing, they often commit serious error, and do a positive injury to science. For instance, it was objected (says Archbishop Whately) to the System of Copernicus (when first brought forward), that if the earth turned on its axis, as he represented, a stone dropped from the summit of a tower would not fall at the foot of it, but a great distance to the west-in the same manner as a stone dropped from the masthead of a ship in full sail does not fall at the foot of the mast, but at the stern of the ship. To this it was answered, that a stone, being part of the earth, obeys the same laws, and moves with it; whereas it is no part of the ship, of which, consequently, its motion is independent. The solution was admitted by some and opposed by others; and the Nor was it controversy went on with spirit. till one hundred years after the death of Copernicus, that the experiment being tried, it was ascertained that the stone thus dropped from the head of the mast does fall at the foot of it. How requisite it is, my dear Sir, for everything to be fully proved before it be put forth as fact! -HELEN W. [Your observation is very just. We are daily discovering that many things recorded as facts (particularly in natural history) were merely surmises. Later experiments have fully proved this.] How to obtain perfect Impressions from the Leaves of Trees and Plants.-Allow me, my dear Sir, to present the following recipe to the notice It is not, I of the readers of OUR JOURNAL. believe, new, but possibly will be so to many; and it may be the means of affording them a little pleasant and instructive occupation for their leisure hours:-Take a small quantity of bichromate of potash (say a teaspoonful), which may be had at any druggist's or colorman's shop; dissolve it in a saucerful of water. Then pass the pieces of paper, on which the impressions are to be taken, through the solution; and, while wet, press the leaves, &c., lightly upon it, and expose it to the sun-which should be shining powerfully. When quite dry, remove the leaves, and a perfect fac-simile will remain in a light lemon shade, while the rest of the paper will be of a dark brown tint. Bichrome, as it is geneIt rally termed, is in dark yellow crystals. should be powdered previous to using it.-J. R. The "Life" in an Oyster.-The liquor of the oyster contains incredible multitudes of small embryo, covered with little shells, perfectly transparent, swimming nimbly about. One hundred and twenty of these in a row, would, it is calcuBesides these young lated, extend one inch. oysters, the liquor contains a great variety of animalculæ, five hundred times less in size, which emit a phosphoric light. Nor does the list of inhabitants conclude here; for besides these last mentioned, there are three distinct species of worms, called the oyster worm, half-an-inch long, found in oysters, which shine in the dark like Germination of Old Seeds.-Humboldt states that an aqueous solution of chlorine possesses the property of stimulating or favoring germination. Its action is so decided as to be apparent on old seeds, which will not germinate under ordinary circumstances.-R. O. Strange Fish.-In the Mediterranean, Chinnereth, and Semechomitis, as also in the Jordan, are found many kinds of fish, which are nevertheless essentially different from the European ones. Some are found which weigh thirty pounds. In the sea near Jaffa, there is found at times a species of fish which emits a phosphorescent light in the dark, not unlike rotten wood. This peculiar property of the fish is only destroyed when it is put over the fire, or immersed in hot water. There is found likewise, in the sea Chinnereth, a very fat fish, called Al Barbud. It has no scales; therefore it is not eaten by the Jews. There are two kinds of fish known as Shebuta, Al Sabuta; one of these is as large as a hog, and is very fat and well-flavored. It is not met with in Palestine, and is only caught in the Indian seas; especially near Fiume. It is known among the Italians as Tanina. The other is a smaller species, has tender flesh, and is salted before being eaten.HEARTSEASE, Hants. Effects produced by an Earthquake in the Tropics.-The impression which the first earthquake makes upon us, even if it is unaccompanied What moves us so powerby subterranean noise, is an inexpressibly powerful and quite peculiar one. fully is the disappointment of our inherent faith in the repose and immutability of the firm solid earth. A moment destroys the illusions of a life. We are undeceived as to the repose of the earth, and feel transported within the sphere of destroying unknown powers. We scarcely trust the ground on which we stand; the strangeness of the occurrence produces the same anxious uneasiness in animals. Pigs and dogs, especially, are overpowered by it; the crocodiles of the Orinoco, (Humboldt tells us) generally as dumb as sour little lizards, leave the agitated bed of the river, and rush howling into the forests. To man an earthquake appears as something omnipresent, unbounded. We can escape from an active eruption, or from a lava stream flowing towards our dwelling; but during an earthquake,wherever one flies seems the hearth of destruction.-Helen W. Degeneration of the Races of Fruits and Flowers.-The wearing out of certain varieties of fruits and florists' flowers seems a subject well worthy of further investigation. It might be useful to bring to notice the genera, or the species of plants, most subject to such decay, and thus direct attention principally to the obtaining of new seminal varieties of the species most requiring renewal of good sorts. The apple seems particularly liable to wear out. There are many kitchen apples formerly common, that are now rare-the codlin, for instance, some years ago the cheapest apple, and the most esteemed summer one for puddings and tarts. The codlin was formerly a most abundant and certain bearer, its fruit excellent at different stages of its growth. Gathered young, it was used as green apricots now are; and by thinning the crop, the remaining fruit swelled to a large size. It was thought indispensable for dumplings, and for “codlins and cream;" no other variety of apple having the same agreeable acidity and flavor. To the codlin succeeded the Lemon Pippin; also now wearing out, and for winter use the russeting, at present scarce and a bad bearer. These three fruits used to be common in cottage gardens, some trees of them still remain in such a garden near Canterbury; but they have ceased to bear abundantly there as elsewhere. The recent acquisition of valuable varieties of pears may have caused neglect of old sorts, many of them inferior to the new ones; yet some of the old varieties were excellent-the bergamot, for instance, formerly abundant and cheap, but rarely brought to market now. The jargonelle still keeps its ground, though always a dear fruit. About sixty years ago, a fruiterer in Bridge Street purchased choice specimens of the jargonelle, at six shillings a dozen; when, at the same time, the finest Windsor pears were sold for four shillings a bushel. Probably varieties of stone fruits are more durable than those of pears and apples, for some of the peaches and nectarines recommended in an early edition of "Miller's Dictionary" continue in successful cultivation. The old Morello cherry still flourishes as formerly-so does the May Duke. Some varieties of cherries are, however, disappearing; a very rich large black cherry, for example, though formerly common, is now rarely seen; and in Kent, it is said that the old Kentish cherry is becoming a shy bearer.-B. Voice of the Tench.-The tenacity of life in some fresh water fish is surprising. In none is it more surprising than in the Tench. Dr. Shirley Palmer records the fact, of his having received in the spring a brace of Tench, just taken from the water. They were deposited, by the cook, in a dish, and placed upon a very high shelf in the larder a room situated between the dining parlor and cooking kitchen. On the following midnight, whilst writing in the dining room, to which he had removed in consequence of the extinction of the fire in the library, his attention was suddenly excited by a deep, hollow, protracted groan, such as might be supposed to proceed from a large animal in extreme distress. It was twice or thrice repeated; and all his efforts to discover the source of the alarming sound were ineffectual. At length his ear was startled by a loud splash, succeeded by a groan more deep and long-continued than those which he had previously heard, and evidently proceeding from the larder. Inspection of that room quickly explained the mystery. One of the fishes had sprung down from the shelf, on the stone floor, and there lay, with mouth open, and pectoral and vestral fins extended, and uttering the sounds by which his midnight labors had been so unexpectedly interrupted. Next day, both fishes were cooked for dinner; and, such is the tenacity of life in the tench, that, although thirty hours had then elapsed since their removal from their native element, both fishes, after having undergone the process of scaling and evisceration, sprang vigorously from the pot of hot water when consigned to it by the cook.-Puss. [Carp and Tench, if packed in wet grass, will travel safely from one end of England to the other and they will recover their wonted liveliness on being placed in a tank of water.] Affection of Fishes.-It has been asserted by some naturalists, that no fishes are known to take any care of their offspring. This statement, however, is erroneous; for two species of Hassar found in Africa, make a regular nest, in which they lay their eggs in a flattened cluster, and cover them over most carefully. Their care does not end here; they remain by the nest till the spawn is hatched, with as much solicitude as a hen guards her eggs; both the male and female steadily watching the spawn, and courageously attacking any assailant. Hence the negroes frequently take them by putting their hands into the water, close to the nest; on agitating which, the male hassar springs furiously at them and is thus captured.-Rosa B. [If you will turn, Rosa, to Vol. II. of OUR JOURNAL, p. 390, you will there find a most graphic account given of the affection of the TITTLEBAT for its young. The article will amply repay a perusal. The facts are quite startling.] Culture of the Chinese Primrose.-I generally sow my seeds about this time, or a little earlier. I use shallow pans, light sandy soil, and no manure. They are sown thinly, and pressed down on the surface, so as just to be covered with the soil. After a gentle watering, the pans containing the seed are removed to a hot-bed; there they remain until the young plants are about an inch in height. At this stage they are pricked out into the same sort of pans, an inch apart; adding this time onethird leaf-mould to the soil. The plants are put into the hotbed again, until they have attained the height of two inches; when they are taken out of the pans, and shifted into five-inch pots that have been well drained. The compost for this and their final shift, consists of equal quantities of cow-dung two years old, leaf-mould, peat earth, and sandy soil. After potting, the plants are removed into a cold frame, with an eastern aspect. The lights are kept close for a few days, and the plants are shaded from the midday sun until they commence growing. Air is then admitted; gradually at first, but as soon as I perceive the plants to be fairly in a pushing state, I ventilate freely. The sashes are, however, always put on when it rains; for nothing is so injurious to Primulas as water overhead, at any stage of their growth. As they begin to fill their pots with roots, I give them liquid manure once a week, made from pigeons' dung. I permit the first flower stem to rise, but only for the purpose of judging of the merits of the flower. As soon as that is decided, the good flowers are picked out; and when the pots are filled with roots, the plants are finally shifted into eight or twelve-inch pots, and treated in precisely the same way as at the former shifting, and with the same situation and aspect. They remain in the cold frame until the middle of October. After that, they are brought KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. into their winter quarters, to flower in the greenhouse. As soon as the plants have stopped growing, I withhold the dung-water, as a continuance of it would be likely to destroy them in the winter months.-J. H. tinuous one. Production of Oxygen Gas.-M. Boussingault has lately described a process by which pure oxygen gas may be obtained from the atmosphere at a trifling cost, so as to enable it to be collected in unlimited quantities and preserved in gasometers, like coal-gas, for application to many practical uses in the arts. This process depends upon a peculiar property possessed by the earth barytes, of absorbing the atmospheric oxygen at one temperature and evolving it at another; or, rather, the ready conversion of hydrate of barytes into peroxide of barium by a current of atmospheric air at a dull red heat; and the decomposition of the peroxide, by steam, at a lower temperature, even at 212° F., with re-formation of the hydrate of barytes-the process being in reality a conIt is found in practice, advisable to mix the barytes with hydrate of lime or magnesia; so as to prevent the fusing of the first. This mixture, when placed in an earthern tube heated to dull redness, is to be oxidised by passing a current of dry atmospheric air over it. So soon as the oxidation is completed, the tube is connected with the gas-holder, and a jet of steam allowed to act upon it. This re-converts the peroxide of barium into hydrate of barytes, the excess of oxygen being given off and collected in the gas-holder. The barytes is then again oxidised by a fresh current of air, and deoxidised by steam as frequently as required; thus making the process continuous. M. Boussingault considers that about 1000 cubic feet of pure oxygen gas could be obtained every twenty-four hours by the use of 10 cwts. of barytes,-which will answer for any length of time -LYNX. The White, or Barn Owl-This bird is the victim of all who, ignorant of its value, can get a shot at it. "As a constant destroyer of rats and mice," says a writer on British birds, "the services performed by them for the agriculturist ought to obtain for them the toleration which they well deserve." The number of mice this bird must destroy is very great, as a vigilant observer has seen him return to his nest with his prey every five minutes. The gardener complains of the destruction of his early crops of peas by mice; but he feels no hesitation or remorse at having shot at the bird who would be of essential service to him in preserving his produce from these depredators! Other useful birds are destroyed in like manner; and the consequence is (of course) destruction to all sorts of produce by vermin,insects, grubs, &c.—ARGUS. a Curious Facts attending Sleep.-Sleep does not come on all at once, it would seem; but by degrees. M. Carbinis, the French physiologist, tells us that the legs and arms fail, before the powers which support the head; and these last sooner than the muscles which sustain the back. He illustrates this by the cases of persons who sleep on horseback. He conceives that the sense of sight sleeps first; then the sense of taste; next the sense of smell; then that of hearing; and A Gigantic Cedar.-There exists in California, The Swallow and the Sparrows-a Curious Circumstance.-I find the following in the "Hereford Journal: "-Under the eaves of a house in St. Owen's Street, in this city, a swallow's nest of last year, in which a young family had been reared, remained for occupation (probably by the same birds) on their return to this country from their continental winter sojourn. During their temporary absence, the nest was taken possession of, and inhabited by some house-sparrows, who, from their loud chirrupings, seem to have found it very snug quarters. The swallows, wishing to regain possession, had several skirmishes with the intruders, one of whom appeared always to remain at home to offer resistance from the interior; but they were unable to dislodge them until one day last week, when it was observed that a swallow pertinaciously attached itself to the outside of the nest. Here it was seen late at night, evidently keeping watch on the sparrow prisoner. The next morning, however, the sparrow had deserted his post; but from the entrance to the nest the dead sparrow was suspended by one of its feet, which an admonitory was firmly cemented to the outside of the nest, and where it still remains as warning to all other burglarious sparrows. Is not this a very remarkable circumstance, Mr. Editor? JANE D. [It reads well, Mademoiselle. If it be true, it is interesting. We fear, however, there is a trifle "too much color in the brush." We want pure matters of " fact."] A Curious Discovery of Roman Coins.-A Bavarian naturalist, Dr. Autenrieth, travelling in New Grenada, has, it is said, while excavating in the neighborhood of Panama, disinterred a terracotta vase, containing 364 Roman coins in bronze. They belong to the third and fourth centuries, and bear the effigies of the Emperors Maximilian, Diocletian, and Constantine the First. As there is no existing evidence of communication between the ancient Romans and Southern America, it is supposed, says a Munich journal, that these coins may have been buried by some Spanish numismatist or archæologist who inhabited the ancient something anomalous in the practice, on a casual investigation of the system, but we all know what vigorous shoots are pushed from a healthy stem denuded of its branches. Repton recommended the practice, and alludes to its being successfully carried words :-"He" (the friend alluded to) "placed deciduous trees of every kind, but especially Birch intermixed with Thorns, Crabs, and old Hollies, cutting off their heads; these are planted in a puddle and the earth laid round their roots in small hillocks, which prevent the cattle from standing very near them; and thus I have seen groups of trees which looked like bare poles the first year, in a very short time become beautiful such might be made to ornament other situations than dreary wastes; and to my taste a bare pole for one year, with the certainty of its becoming a handsome tree afterwards, and year by year increasing in stature and beauty, is preferable to enduring a dead-alive tree for half-a-dozen years ; and which ultimately dies altogether.-CRAYON. Deilephila Elpenor.-I have at the present time, feeding in my room, some remarkably fine caterpillars of this beautiful Sphinx. I believe it is much thought of in this country. Is it not? I remember, when on the Continent, I used to hold Sphinx Elpenor in high esteem.-BOMBYX ATLAS, Tottenham, August 22. city of Panama when it was sacked, in 1670, by the Irish buccaneer, Morgan. In any case, it is averred that these are the first coins of the Roman Empire ever found in the soil of America.-R. O. The Evergreen Oak as a Sea-side Plant.-out by a friend of his in Norfolk; I quote his During a recent visit to Guernsey, I had an opportunity of witnessing the value of the evergreen Oak as a shelter plant for the sea-side. In the vicinity of a deep bay, subject to the most violent gales, and of course to the action of the salt spray, I saw hundreds of them in a most flourishing condition. I learnt, as was the case on the occasion of which I speak, that during the winter their foliage becomes in some degree browned by the combined action of the severe winds and drench-ornaments to a dreary waste." And of course ings of salt spray to which they are subjected; but that this is every season repaired, and that in the summer they become as green and luxuriant as ever. That they grow luxuriantly I had abundant evidence. Their appearance was healthy to a degree, scarcely to be expected in evergreens in so bleak a situation. They exhibited none of the one-sidedness so peculiar to most trees-the English Oak, for example, when grown in similar situations on the contrary, they appear quite at home on the bleak hill side. As an evergreen tree in similar situations, nothing that I know of can surpass it for shelter or for ornament. As this tree is proverbially a difficult one to transplant successfully, a hint or two gleaned on the spot may not be inappropriately recorded here; if, indeed, what I have to convey may be considered as hints in addition to what is already known. I was in formed by the proprietor of the property on which the trees in question were growing, that the loss of a tree by transplanting was a contingency hardly ever experienced. "We move them now," he observed this was in the early part of March "and in July. If in the latter season, we shorten the branches very much; were we to leave all the foliage on, success would be doubtful." The philosophy of the practice is evident enough. "And," continued he, we move them with perfect safety, however large. You observe the tree before us -this was in allusion to one with a trunk of some five or six inches in diameter "that fellow was moved in the summer three years ago. You can hardly believe it, can you? but it is nevertheless true. Believe me we move them as if they were willows.". And so it appeared. I examined the tree in question. It had been severely pruned back at no very remote period, which was of course, at the time of its removal; and I do not think that I exaggerate when I say that in the three seasons' growth a good six feet of wood had been made. Associated with these oaks were many stone pines, well sustaining their character. Like the evergreen oaks, their foliage was brown when fully exposed to the sea-breezes. One or two Scotch firs, that by some means or other had become mixed up with the assembly, looked as if they were astonished at finding them selves in such situations. The shelter of their neighbors did them good service, or they had figured but indifferently. I may observe, by the way, that the practice of cutting back the branches of large trees, appears to me to offer the means of securing their safe removal, when otherwise failure must, as a general rule, result. There may appear Spiders casting their Skins.-I am (like yourself, my dear Mr. Editor), a great admirer of Nature's handiwork. The following, copied from my book of observations, may prove interesting: "I watched this said spider when about to disengage itself from its skin. It first formed a kind of thick purse, in one corner of the web. It then went to the centre of the web; and distending its body with violence for some minutes, the skin was rent the whole length of the back. This over, it began to force its body slowly through the aperture; gradually drawing out its legs, one by one, till they were all released. The exuviæ retained the form of the spider only,- being perfectly transparent. The insect, which was quite gelatinous, and of a pale-green color, now retreated to the thick purse above alluded to. It did not reappear until after three days."-Rosa B. "BEGIN WELL,-END WELL." NEVER WAS THERE A TIME when people went so "fast" as they do now. Our youth seem born with " 'great ideas; and woe be to those who attempt to control them in their lofty projects! Let such read what the good old QUARLES has noted down for their instruction. He says"At the first entrance into thine estate, keep a low sail. Thou must rise with honor. Thou canst not fall without shame. He that begins as his father ended, shall end as his father began." Alas! how is this prediction verified from day to day. Foolish parents are they, who thus yield to the caprices of their wayward, wilful children. Full many a heart is broken by its own folly, that might have been happy by the exercise of a little firmness, and only a grain of good sense. REGION OF THOUGHT, in which the mind can revel undisturbed by the external hubbub of the world at large, what an existence would ours be! The elements of which society is composed, are quite insufficient, of themselves, to render a man "happy"--and what is life without happiness? OUR thoughts, be it known, fly far and wide; and in their wanderings they gather sweetness. pro We are not going to venture an essay on Thought, much as we could say on that most interesting subject. Our business to-day is, to offer a few remarks on sundry letters we have received of late, bearing upon certain observations our pen has volunteered bono publico. And here let us express ourself not only pleased, but delighted, with the confidence almost invariably reposed in us by our numerous correspondents. Their names and addresses are rarely withholden; and their simple narratives induce to a train of thoughtfulness in our active mind which is perfectly indescribable. There is surely much latent good in the world, if one could only draw it out. The great drawback to this is, the fear people express of daring to be singular. They tell us their feelings, and acknowledge their weakness in this matter. The article which appeared in a late number on the perverse taste of women in their mode of dre, and blind obedience to the cruel laws of Fashion-also the paper in our last number deploring the horrid custom of plastering pretty face with such overwhelming bands of hair, have excited marked attention. Some may imagine that we have given serious offence by our freedom of speech. Not so! We always write good-temperedly, and will not let people be angry with us. We cut at their faults, not at their persons. We hate the former; we love the latter. Among the letters received during the past month, are several which demand serious attention. They are from ladies moving in a high position of life. Our remarks have worked upon the better feelings of their (natural) "good" nature, and they have made us their father-confessor. We are quite satisfied, that not one of the individuals we allude to is in the secret of any but themselves having written us on the subject. Yet are our "confessional duties" pleasingly heavy. VOL. IV.-9. Let us select a single missive, and comment on it. As it harmonises in its views and feelings with the others already referred to, it will answer a good general end. The fair writer (who resides in one of our most fashionable squares) says "I cannot, my dear sir, argue against or disprove one word you have uttered. That you write for our benefit and instruction, I freely admit. That you are entitled to our lasting regard, is speaking but faintly how I feel towards you, and your noble periodical. But let me tell you, that we young ladies cannot, dare not, use any discretion in the matter of taste. Whatsoever be the 'fashion,' with that we are bound to comply, or we lose caste' (as mamma words it). Whether as regards our general apparel, our bonnets, our head dress, or what you call 'the insult offered to the human face divine,' by converting our ornamental hair into 'blinkers,' &c., &c., our lot is cast. We are the creatures of habit. We must submit to the rules of the society in which we move. Yet, entre nous, I do indeed enjoy the perusal of OUR OWN JOURNAL. I love its principles; and in all sincerity, I may and will add, I love its Editor. Keep on, my dear sir; raise your pen, make your voice heard, and do see if anything can be done to deliver us from the hideous trammels of the god we are compelled (many of us unwillingly) to worship.' We are proud of the missive from which we have made the above short extract; and we could append others from a second fair hand, but it is quite needless. We never can hope-nor do we, to work a reformation among the veterans in Fashion's service; but we feel for the younger branches, and we will, D.V., labor for them with unwearied assiduity. We will prove that Nature is a sweet, lovely mistress-her yoke easy-her burthen (gossamer) light indeed! We have also in possession some very interesting letters in connection with our late remarks about Habit. We mean, the few addenda we made in our last to the article by Dr. Symonds. Our readers enter, readily, into the appreciation of those various characteristics which so individualise many of the friends and acquaintance with whom they are associated from time to time. It is a pretty subject; and at a future time we may be in the vein to pursue it in some of its most pleasing features. A very intimate friend of ours, who perused the remarks we have referred to, has told us some of the scenes in his early life that will infallibly set us thinking of the scenes in our early life, and the ever-to-beremembered habits of "some" who at that time were dearer far to us than our own existence-indeed we only "lived" when we heard their footstep, breathed when we heard K |