The sulphate of lime, in these specimens, is in a state of mechanical mixture, and may be washed out as white crystalline grains. Although it has been generally supposed that the purest salt is the best, numerous facts oppose the conclusion. Cattle like salt having a bitter taste; in consequence of which circumstance, the method of crystallization, by evaporation on cords in the air, was abandoned in Savoy, although the process was economical, and yielded a pure salt. The preference given by fish-curers to the St. Ubes' salt is attributed by M. Berthier to the superiority it possesses in consequence of the presence of the sulphates; and he points out how easily similar salt could be prepared from seawater, and the importance of experiment relative to the determination of those proportions which would ultimately be found most beneficial.-Annales des Mines, xiii. 225. III. NATURAL HISTORY. 1. Bitberg Meteoric Iron.-This iron, according to an analysis made of it by Stromeyer, contains, iron 81.8, nickel 11.9, cobalt 1.0, manganese 0.2, sulphur 5.1, per cent. 2. Phosphorescent Fluor-Spar.-At a recent meeting of the Philomathic Society of Paris, a specimen of fluor-spar was exhibited by M. Becquerel, which had been found in granite, in Siberia, and sent by M. Leman. It shines in the dark, when warmed, with a remarkably strong phosphorescent light, increasing as the temperature is raised. The light augments when it is plunged in water, and in boiling water the spar becomes so luminous, that the letters of a printed book could be seen near the glass vessel containing it. On boiling mercury it emitted such a light as to enable a person to read printing at the distance of five inches. M. Eyries mentioned, at the same meeting, the statement of Sir John Mandeville, that, at the entrance of a town in Great Tartary, were two columns surmounted by stone which shone brightly in the dark. 3. Phalaropus Lobatus, or Grey Phalarope. Sir, Clungunford, Nov. 28, 1826. Having observed, in the 10th Number of the Quarterly Journal, an account of one or two scarce birds having been killed in different parts of the kingdom, I am induced to acquaint you that I have in my collection a fine specimen of that rare and curious bird, the grey phalarope, (Phalaropus lobatus of Latham,) killed the middle of last month near Condover, a village situate about four miles south of the town of Shrewsbury. The specimen differs in some respects from the figure and description given by Bewick, and answers more nearly, though not exactly, to one of the varieties described by Col. Montagu, in Appendix to his Ornithological Dictionary, and is an additional instance of the diversity of markings to which this species is subjected. The bird was presented to me by a friend, who fortunately heard of the capture; and the account I received with it was, that it was struck down by a labouring man with a spade, as he was going to his work near the village of Condover." It is probably a solitary instance of this very elegant species having been met with so far inland. It has been beautifully preserved by Mr. Shaw of Shrewsbury, a person particularly excelling in the art; and who has taken every care, in the drying of the specimen, to develop its most striking character, (viz.) the lobated feet, which, on account of the great delicacy of the membranes, is not very easily attained. I have the honour to be, &c. JOHN ROCKE, Rector of Clungunford, near Ludlow, Salop. 4. Titaniferous Iron Ore of Maisdon (Loire Inférieure).-M. Berthier finds this substance to contain oxide of iron 44 parts, oxide of titanium 9, silica 34, magnesia 10, alumine 10 per cent. -Annales des Mines, xiii. 217. 5. Anatase, native Oxide of Titanium.-A number of pale-yellow crystals, obtained from the diamond mines of Brazil, have been sent to M. Vauquelin. They varied in size from that of a grain of millet to that of a pea. They were transparent, and had the same colour, aspect, and particular lustre, as rough diamonds. They permitted of the action of a file. M. Brogniart, who examined their forms, suspected them to be crystals of Anatase; and a chemical examination by M. Vauquelin showed them to be perfectly pure oxide of titanium. Hence it appears that brown or blue is not the proper colour of anatase, and that this substance, which has until now only been found in primitive rocks, occurs in detached crystals in the soil which contains the diamonds of Minas Geraes in Brazil.-Ann. des Sciences Nat. ix. p. 223. A New Edition (being the twelfth) of the CHEMICAL CATECHISM has just appeared, its correction and revision having been completed by the late Mr. PARKES, very shortly before his death. A brief memoir of the author has been added by his son-in-law, Mr. Hodgetts, and his portrait, an excellent likeness, is prefixed to the volume. 2 E 2 Mr. C. F. PARTINGTON, of the London Institution, has lately published a New Edition of his History of the STEAM-ENGINE, including some useful additions. We have already spoken favourably of this work, which contains, in a condensed form, a vast quantity of useful practical information upon the subject, and the plates are of the first order. Messrs. Longman and Co. have just published a New System of ASTRONOMICAL MNEMONICS, by Mr. R. MACHAN. It is an essay well calculated to initiate young persons in astronomy, by the aid of a system of artificial memory, resembling that taught by Mr. Feinagle. The details of Mr. Machan's method are, however, quite original. A New Edition of the METEOROLOGICAL ESSAYS, by JOHN FREDERICK DANIELL, Esq., F.R.S., is in the press. This edition, besides the former Essays upon, 1. The Constitution of the Atmosphere; 2. The Construction and Uses of a new Hygrometer; 3. The Radiation of Heat in the Atmosphere; 4. The Horary Oscillation of the Barometer; 5. The Climate of London, with corrections and additions, will comprise Essays on the following subjects-6. Evaporation, as connected with Atmospheric Phenomena; 7. Artificial Climate, considered with regard to Horticulture; 8. The connexion between the Oscillations of the Barometer at distant places; 9. The insinuation of Air into the Torricellian Vacuum, and the means of preventing the gradual deterioration of Barometers. It will also contain various Meteorological Observations and Remarks, and numerous Tables, Plates, and Diagrams. Dr. ARNOTT's work on GENERAL and MEDICAL PHYSICS will be published on the 1st of February, with numerous engravings on wood. It is a system of Natural and Experimental Philosophy, with strictly scientific arrangement, but made easily intelligible to those who have never learned, or who have forgotten, the mathematics. In addition to a great mass of illustrations from general nature and the arts, adapted to the present more comprehensive scale of a liberal education, it comprises many very interesting particulars, furnished by examination of the animal body under health, disease, and medical treatment, and among these there are new disquisitions and suggestions. ART. XV.-METEOROLOGICAL DIARY for the Months of September, October, and November, 1826, kept at EARL SPENCER'S Seat at Althorp, in Northamptonshire. The Thermometer hangs in a North-eastern Aspect, about five feet from the ground, and a foot from the wall. INDEX. Acid and salts (New), obtained during the preparation of potas- Adhesion of Glue, notice of, 183 Aerial Light and Shade, on a peculiar perspective appearance of, 81 phenomena on the top of the Pic du Midi, 223 Air-pump without artificial valves, notice of, 181; new mode of Alcohol, derived from the fermentation of bread, 401 Alkalies, metals of, 405 Analysis of scientific Books, 95, 142; Transactions of the Royal Anatase, native oxide of titanium, 409 Animal matter, instrument for ascertaining its presence in the Apartments in low and damp situations, improvement of, 185 Astronomical and nautical collections, 143, 350 Balance (Hydrostatic), cheap and delicate one, notice of, 181 Baryta (Sulphate of), and water, peculiar states of, 213 Berthier (M.) on the preparation of pure nickel, 395 Bitumens (elastic), analysis of, 228 Blood, morbid alterations of the, 228 Bone, strength of, 371 Boracic Acid (fused), light evolved by the rupture of, 374; borate of soda, composition of, 407 Brande (W. T., Esq.) outlines of geology by, 51, 249 Brewster (Dr.) on peculiar states of sulphate of baryta and of |