produced less carbonic acid; and at length their respiration ceased, probably from the cessation of the mechanical action of the thorax. In proportion as the respiration dimini shed, so did the heat of the animal. Several members of the class, Messrs. Duvenoy, Delaroche, von Humboldt, Provençal, and Cuvier, have made the air-bladder of fishes, with the functions of which we are not well acquainted, an object of their inquiries. In some fishes this vesicle has a duct communicating with the stomach. In some this duct is wanting, and a peculiar organ of a red colour, and laminated structure, is found. In others, both this organ and the duct occur: and in a few this bladder has its peculiar muscles. The air it contains is a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen, and the greater the depth in water at which the fish habitually lives, the more the oxygen predominates. The want of it does not appear to be detrimental to respiration, though it does to the production of carbonic acid. Tenches, after they have been deprived of it, swim, dive, and ascend in the water with as much ease as before..

Two young physicians, Drs Magendie and Delisle, have tried the eflects of the poison of the apas of Java, on several animals, chiefly dogs. They all died in general convulsions, whether the poison were introduced by the blood-vessels or lymphatics, by an insertion into a wound, or injection into the intes tines. It appeared to enter the system only by means of the circulation, and particulary to affect the spinal-marrow. It seemed to act but very indirectly on the brain, thus in dicating the independence of the spinal marrow on this organ, nat pointed out by dissections. M. Vauquelin, in the course of his experiments on belladonna, found, that

its juice when swallowed by animals, produced in them a delirium exactly similar to that occassioned by opium. Its action on the ner vous system was confirmed also by the experiments of Mons. Sage.

ani

The effects of various gasses injected into the blood-vessels has been examined by Dr. Nysten. Atmo spheric air, oxygen, nitrous oxid, carbonic acid, carbonic oxid, phos phoretted hydrogen, &c., were not deleterous. Oxymuriatic, moniacal, and nitrous acid gasses, acted apparently by a violent irrita tion of the right auricle and pulmonary ventricle. Sulphuretted hydrogen, nitric oxid, and nitrogen, diminished the contractile power of these parts. Some others so changed the nature of the blood, that respi ration was unable to convert it from venous to arterial.

M. Desessartz read a history of an epidemic disorder, which prevailed in three neighbouring villages at the same time. This epidemic, though originating from the same common causes, was só modified in the nature and violence of its symptoms, by the circumstances peculiar to the different villages, as to require important variations in the mode of treatment in each.

1

Mons. Sage presented some reflections on the means of remedying the sting of the weever, trachinus dracho L., and a description of the effects of the poison of the tarantula, with the means employed to counteract them in Spain. Both these means 'consist in the external and internal use of the volatile alkali.

sheep, that the denuded extremities of the long bones exfoliate after amputation, before the wound is cicatrized. In the second, he gives the history of a wound in the head, which required trepanning, and was 151 days before it was cured. The third was on ruptures. For the reduction of crural hernice, Mons. T. recommends the patient to be laid on his back; an assistant, standing between his knees, to raise these as high as he can; and another holding the leg of the side affected, to turn the great toe inward, with the knee and thigh, as much as he can. In this position the intestine may be re turned by gentle pressure.

Mons. Pelletan has imparted some interesting observations on aneurisms. Mons. Larrey has pointed out the necessity of having recourse to amputation in cases of gangrene after gun-shot wounds, without waiting till a separation of the mortified part takes place.

The report of the committee on Mons. Yvart's work, entitled, Means of Improving Agriculture by Rotations of Green Crops, says, that it answers its important purpose of showing how land may be render ed constantly productive in the most profitable manner, without being ex hausted.

Mons. de Cubiere read a paper on the cultivation of the bald cypress (le cyprès-chauve), pointing out the advantages of this fine tree.

Mons. Leblanc, who has resided several years in America, strongly recommends the introduction of the vicugna into the Alps and Pyrenees.

Mons. Poyfere-de-Ceré gave an account of the mode in which the Spaniards wash their superfine wool.

Mons. Perey made some interesting observations on the manufacture of the jars and alearazas, which the Spaniards use for keeping liquors, and for cooling them.

Specification of the patent granted to James Parker, of Northfleet, in the County of Kent, gentleman; før a Cement or Terras to be used in a quatic and other buildings; und stucco-work.

Tall to whom these presents

shall come, &c. Now know YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I the said James Parker, in pursuance of, and compliance with, the said proviso in the said recited letters patent contained, do, by this present instrument, declare that the principle and nature of the said invention and the manner in which the same is to be performed, is described and.

ascertained as follows; that is to say: The principle and nature of the said invention consists in reducing to powder certain stones or argillaceous productions, called nodules of clay, and using that powder with water, so as to form a mortar or cement stronger and harder than any mortar or cement now prepared by I do not know artificial means.

of any precise general term for these nodules of clay, but I mean by them certain stones of clay, or concretions of clay, containing veins of calcareous matter, having frequently, but not always, water in the centre; the cavity of which is covered

with small chrystals of the above calcareous matter, and the nodules agreeing very nearly in colour with the bed of clay in or near which they are found. These nodules, on being burnt with a heat stronger than that used for burning lime, generally assume a brown appearance, and are a little softened; and when so burnt and softened become warm (but do not slack) by having water thrown upon them, and on being reduced to powder, after burning and being mixed with water, just sufficient to make into a pae, become indurated in water in the space of an hour, or thereabouts. Any argillaceous stone, then corresponding with this description, whether known by the name of nodules of clay, or any other name, is the sort and kind only that I mean to apropriate to my own use in the forma tion of my cement, The manner in which I prepare and compose this cement is as follows; viz. The stones of clay, or nodules of clay, are first broken into small fragments; then burnt in a kiln or furnace, (as lime is commonly burnt,) with a heat nearly sufficient to vitrify them; then reduced to a powder by any mechanical or other operation, and the powder so obtained is the basis of the cement. To compose the cement in the best and most advantegeous manner, I take two measures of water and five measures of the powder thus described; then I add the powder to the water or the water to the powder, taking care to stir and beat them during the whole time of intermixture. The cement is then made, and will set, or will become indurated in ten or twenty minutes after the operation has ceased, either in or out of water. But although have described what I think the best proportions for the composition of the cement, it is expressly to be understood that these, and all other

proportions, are to be included within the meaning and purpose of this specification, but that no other proportion will produce so strong a cement in so short a time as those I have here pointed out. And also that I occasionally burn and grind and mix the powder before described with lime and other stones, clay, sand, or calcined earths, in such proportions as may be necessary and useful for the purposes for which the cement is intended to be applied, always observing that the less water is used the better, and the sooner the mortar or cement is used after being made, the stronger and the more durable it will be.

A detail of experiments to ascertain the daily quantity of brown Muscovado Sugar necessary to fatten Sheep; to show its effects and value when so applied; and to demonstrate what substance or substances, sufficiently cheap, might be mixed with it, so as to prevent its application to common uses, and yet render it not unpalatable nor pernicious to animals which feed upon it. Submitted to the board of Agriculture, by the Rev. Dr. Cartwright.

On this ground, therefore, it is presumed that the following conclusions, drawn from the facts which I have now the honour to lay before the board, may be justified.

First. That sugar may be given with great advantage to sheep, if not confined; especially if they have access to green food, however little that green food may be in quantity.

Secondly. That sugar may be given to them with every prospect of a beneficial effect, in the quantity of four ounces per day to each sheep.

Thirdly. That sugar, supposing it to be purchased at four pence per pound, (which it might be if duty

free,) would at the rate of four ounces per day, be paid for in a return of flesh, exclusive of the advantage of expeditions feeding, and the benefit to be derived from the manure. Fourthly. That six ounces per day to each sheep exceeds the maximum that can be given with the best advantage: (this, it is obvious, applies to the middle-sized sheep only, such as those on which I tried the experiment. It is probable that six ounces might not be too much for some of the larger breed of sheep, as four ounces might be too much for some of the dimunitive breeds).

Fifthly. That the advantage of stall-feeding sheep altogether upon sugar and dry food, of whatever nature that food may be, is extremely problematical.

Thus have I candidly laid before the board the result of a long series of experiments which, it will be perceived, have been prosecuted with unremitted attention and, in consequence of my being particularly circumstanced, at no inconsiderable expense and trouble for the space of four months and upwards,

Should any gentleman be disposed to repeat these experiments, having within himself all the requisite conveniences for such an undertaking I cannot but persuade myself, though he will certainly attain his object more cheaply and readily than I have done, that his conclusions will confirm the general accuracy of mine.

Observations on Luminous Animals;

by J Macartney, esq. (Concluded from page 325.) I shall terminate this paper by an enumeration of the several conclusions, that are the result of the observations I have been able to make upon the phenomena of animal light.

The property of emitting light, is confined to animals of the simplest

organization, the greater number of which are inhabitants of the sea. The luminous property is not constant, but in general, exists only at certain periods, and in particular states of the animal's body. The power of shewing light, resides in a peculiar substance or fluid, which is sometimes situated in a particular organ, and at others diffused throughout the animal's body. The light is differently regulated, when the luminous matter exists in the living body, and when it is extracted from it. In the first case, it is intermitting, or alternated with periods of darkness; is commonly produced or increased by a muscular effort; and is sometimes absolutely depen dant upon the will of the animal. In the second case, the luminous appearance is usually permament, until it becomes extinct, after which it may be restored directly by friction, concussion, and the applica tion of warmth; which last causes operate on the luminous matter (while in the living body), only indirectly, by exciting the animal, The luminous matter, in all situations, so far from possessing phosphoric properties, is incombustible, and loses the quality of emitting light, by being dried, or much heater, The exhibition of light, however long it may be continued, causes no diminution of the bulk of the luminous matter. It does not require the presence of pure air, and is not extinguished by other gasses.

The luminous appearance of living animals is not exhausted by long continuance, or frequent repetions, nor accumulated by exposure to natural light; it is, therefore, not dependent upon any foreign source, but inheres as a property, in a pèculiarly organised animal, substance, or fluid, and is regulated by the same laws which govern all the other functions of living beings.

The light of the sea is always produced by living animals, and most frequently by the presence of the medusa scintillans. When great numbers of this species approach the surface, they sometimes coalesce together, and cause that snowy or milky appearance of the sea, which is so alarming to navigators. These animals, when congregated on the surface of the water, can produce a flash of light, somewhat like an e lectric coruscation. When the luminous medusæ are very numerous as frequently happens in confined bays, they form a considerable portion of the mass of the sea, at which times they render the water heavier, and more nauseous to the taste; it is therefore adviseable to always strain sea-water before it is drunk.

The luminous property does not appear to have any connection with the economy of the animals that possess it, except in the flying in sects, which by that means discover each other at night, for the purpose of sexual congress.

New Method of applying the Filtering Stone for purifying Water; by Mr. William Moult, of Bedford-square. He objects to the old method of fil

tering by putting water into the fil tering stone, because the dirt falls to the bottom, and fills up, or chokes the pores of the filtering-stone, so i that the stone requires frequently to be cleaned with a brush and sponge, to allow the water to pass, after which the water passes through the stone in a muddy state for two or three days; it likewise requires to be frequently filled, and as it empties less water, comes in contact with the stone, and therefore a smaller quantity, in such a state, can only pass through. Likewise a filtering stone used in the common way soon becomes useless, from the filth insinuating itself into the internal parts of the stone, out of the reach of the brush.

In the method he proposes and practices, the filtering-stone is placed within the water to be purified, which presses upon the outside of the filter, and the stone does not require to be supported in a frame as it needs only to stand within the water-cistern; it will thus filter, in an equal time, double the quantity mode; it fills itself, and requires no of water procured in the common used one for more than three years cleaning. He has upon this plan with great success.

AGRICULTURE.

Affairs; illas

tany, chiefly extracted from the works of Linnæus; by the late James Lee—a n

new

Memoirs of the Wernerian Natural History Society, for the years 1808-9-10, In 1 vol. 8vo. with 15 Engravings; price £1 1s. in boards.

BIOGRAPHY.

BOTANY AND NATURAL HISTORY.