Electricity elicited from the Domestic Cat.-In addition to the notice in the Phi losophical Journal, of eliciting sensible shocks of electricity from the body of a cat, 1 beg to mention, that very distinct discharges may be obtained by touching the tips of the ears, after applying friction to the back. It is very long since I made the experiment, and, at the time, I remarked the same from the foot. Placing the cat on my knee, I applied the right hand to the back, the left fore-paw resting on the palm of my left hand, I applied the thumb to the upper side of the paw, so as to extend the claws, and by this means brought my fore-finger into contact with one of the bones of the leg, where it joins the paw; from the knob or end of this bone, the finger slightly pressing on it, I felt distinctly successive shocks, similar to what were obtained from the ears. It is perhaps unnecessary to say, that in order to this experiment being conveniently performed, the cat must have been from an early period on good terms with the experimenter.

Insects in Amber.-M. Schweigger having very attentively examined the insects contained in the bits of yellow amber of the coasts of Prussia, and which at first sight might be thought to be the same as the present insects of that country, has found that they in fact often belong to the same genera, but not to the same species as those living at the present day. Among the small number of insects described and figured in the work of this author, we observe, in particular, an unknown species of scorpion, and a spider which differs from all the species living at present, in not having the head of a single piece with the thorax. M. Germar, Professor at Halle, has given the result of a similar investigation in an Entomological Journal, where he tries to determine some species of those amber insects, the analogues of which are not found alive at the present day.

Earth-worms multiply by Eggs.-M. Julius Leo, of Berlin, has confirmed, by new observations, what Swammerdam has already said on the subject of earthworms, namely, that they multiply by eggs, which are found in spring, and which allow not only the enclosed young animal to be seen, but also the circulation of its blood. These observations have been confirmed, (Isis, 1820, vol. iv. p. 386.) by M. Rudolphi, according to whom, what some modern naturalists have found in the body of earth-worms, and which they have taken for the living young of these worms, is nothing else than an intestinal worm improperly named Ascaris lumbrici, which he refers to the genus Vibrio, and which he has found not only in the worms themselves, but also in their eggs.

Artificial Mahogany.-The following method of giving any species of wood of a close grain, the appearance of mahogany in texture, density and polish, is said to be practised in France with such success, that the best judges are incapable of distinguishing between the imitation and the mahogany. The surface is first planed smooth, and the wood is then rubbed with a solution of nitrous acid. One ounce and a half of dragon's blood, dissolved in a pint of spirits of wine, and onethird of an ounce of carbonate of soda, are then to be mixed together and filtered, and the liquid in this thin state is to be laid on with a soft brush. This process is repeated, and in a short interval afterwards the wood possesses the external appearance we have described. When the polish diminishes in brilliancy, it may be restored by the use of a little cold-drawn linseed oil.

New Voyage of M. Kotzebue.—M. Kotzebue is about to set out on a new voyage of discovery round the world, at the expense of the Russian government, principally with the view of fixing the positions of the places discovered in his last voyage. His vessel is about five times larger than the Rurick.

Water-proof Cloth.-A chemist of Glasgow has discovered a simple and effica cious method of rendering woollen, silk, or cotton cloth completely water-proof. The mode adopted is to dissolve caoutchouc in coal tar oil, produced in abundance at the gas-works; by a brush to put five or six coatings of this mixture on the side of the cloth or silk on which another piece is laid, and the whole passed between two rollers. The adhesion is most complete, so much so, that it is easier to tear the cloth than to separate it from the caoutchouc.

Pottery Painting.-An experiment, promising considerable success, has been made at Paris. It is an attempt to preserve the large paintings of the most distinguished artists, by the employment of plates of pottery. The different parts of a large picture are united by a composition, and so coloured as to disguise completely the joints. The artists who work at this experiment propose, by this

means, to produce paintings as durable as mosaic, of much easier execution, and at a moderate price.

Inflammation of Gunpowder by Slaking Lime.—In consequence of the applica tion of quick-lime to the desiccation of various substances, the Comité consultatif de la Direction des Poudres et Salpêtres, made some trials of the temperature produced by slaking lime. They found that it frequently rose so high as to inflame gunpowder thrown upon it; and that, even when enclosed in a glass tube, and the tube put in among the lime, the heat was sufficient to fire the gunpowder. Hence quick-lime would be a dangerous desiccator in a powder-house.

Purple Tint of Plate Glass affected by Light.-It is well known that certain pieces of plate glass acquire, by degrees, a purple tinge, and ultimately become of a comparatively deep colour. The change is known to be gradual, but yet so rapid as easily to be observed in the course of two or three years. Much of the plate glass which was put a few years back into some of the houses in Bridgestreet, Blackfriars, though at first colourless, has now acquired a violet or purple colour. Wishing to ascertain whether the sun's rays had any influence in producing this change, the following experiment was made: three pieces of glass were selected, which were judged capable of exhibiting this change; one of them was of a slight violet tint, the other two purple or pinkish, but the tint scarcely perceptible, except by looking at the edges. They were each broken into two pieces, three of the pieces were then wrapped up in paper and set aside in a dark place, and the corresponding pieces were exposed to air and sunshine. This was done in January last, and the middle of this month (September,) they were exa mined. The pieces that were put away from light seemed to have undergone no change; those that were exposed to the sunbeams had increased in colour considerably; the two paler ones the most, and that to such a degree, that it would hardly have been supposed they had once formed part of the same pieces of glass as those which had been set aside. Thus it appears that the sun's rays can exert chemical powers even on such a compact body and permanent compound as glass.

Paris, September 10, 1823.-The first volume of Johnson's Lives of the Poets, translated by MM. E. Didot and Mahon, has just appeared, to the great gratification of all the lovers of English literature. It is astonishing that a work so celebrated should now be translated for the first time in France; and this fact proves at once our past ignorance of the riches and beauties of the English press, and our improving state of inquiry and information.

The Christian Philosopher, or the Connexion of Science with Religion.-A work under this title is on the eve of being published, by Mr. Thomas Dick, A. M. of Perth, who is already known to the readers of this Journal, by his curious observations on the planet Venus when near the sun. This work comprises illustrations of the omnipotence and grandeur of the Deity, and of his wise and benevolent arrangements in the system of nature,-popular sketches of Natural History, Geography, Geology, Astronomy, Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, Anatomy, and Physiology, embracing an outline of the leading facts connected with these sciences, and illustrating their connexion with the objects of religion, and the progress of the human mind. Sketches of some of the inventions of human genius, and of the religious and philanthropic purposes to which they may be applied,-illustrations of several scriptural facts from the system of nature, and of the beneficial effects which would result from a combination of science with religion. The general object of this volume is to lead young and inquiring minds to enlarged conceptions of the attributes, and the incessant agency of the Deity, through the medium of the discoveries which have been made in the system of nature,-to excite them to farther inquiries into the different departments of natural science,-to illustrate the harmony of science and revelation, and to remove those groundless prejudices which a considerable portion of the Christian world still entertain against scientific pursuits.

Charters of England. That there might be a complete edition of the Statutes (which is now in progress of printing, under the sanction of Parliament,) the Royal Commissioners of Public Records lately caused the most extensive examinations to be made. For the purpose of examining all charters, and authentic copies and entries thereof, two sub-commissioners have occupied one whole summer in making a progress through England and Ireland, to every place where it appeared such charters, copies, or entries might be preserved; and searches have been made VOL. III. No. 18.-Museum. 4 D

successively at every cathedral in England which was known to possess any sucli documents, also at the universities, &c. They have made some most valuable and interesting discoveries. Besides the rare Chartularies or collections of charters found in Rochester, Exeter, Canterbury, and other cathedrals, in Lincoln Cathedral they found also ❝ An Original of the Great Charter of Liberties granted by King John in the 17th year of his reign," in a perfect state. This charter appears to be of superior authority to either of the two charters of the same date preserved in the British Museum. From the contemporary endorsements of the word Lincolnia on two folds of the charter, this may be presumed to be the charter transmitted by the hands of Hugh, the then Bishop of Lincoln, who is one of the bishops named in the introductory clause; and it is observable that several words and sentences are inserted in the body of this charter which in both the charters preserved in the British Museum are added by way of notes for amendment, at the bottom of the instruments.

Improvements. One of the London Journals advertises itself as, "the only Sporting Sunday Newspaper!"

Immediately after the adjournment of parliament, Sir James Mackintosh attended the Marquess of Tichfield to Welbeck, to examine the archives of the family, which had not been opened for many years. Sir James, it is said, there discovered some invaluable letters and state papers, which will materially tend to illustrate that portion of his History of England, to which they belong.

Mr. Roscoe is rapidly advancing with his variorum edition of the Works of Pope, to which he will prefix a New Life.

The Archbishop of Dublin (Dr. Magee) is preparing a new edition of his valua ble work on the Atonement.

Early in October will be ready, the fourth edition, corrected, of the Rev. Thomas Horne's Introduction to the Critical Study and Knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, in 4 thick volumes 8vo.; with numerous Maps, and Fac Šimiles of Biblical MSS.Possessors of the former editions may have (gratis) an additional Fac Simile, on applying to their respective publishers.

The Rev. R. C. Maturin, author of "Bertram," &c., will publish a new Novel during the ensuing winter.

Speedily will be published, The Foresters. By the Author of "Lights and Shadows of Scottish Life," and "The Trials of Margaret Lindsay." 1 vol. Post 8vo.

Anacharsis in Scotland; being a View of the State of the Country, with Descriptions of the most celebrated Scenes and Subjects of local and historical In

terest.

First Steps to Botany, intended as popular Illustrations of the Science leading to its Study as a Branch of general Education. By James L. Drummond, M.D.

A new work from the pen of Miss Porter, Author of Thaddeus of Warsaw, Scottish Chiefs, &c. in 3 vols. 12mo. entitled Duke Christian of Luneberg; or, Traditions from the Hartz.

Mr. Sharpe is preparing Engravings from Mr. Westall's Designs, for the British Anthology, or Poetical Present, designed, with considerable variations of materials and arrangement, as an exemplar of the once popular Dodsley's Collection.

A Geognostical Essay on the Superposition of Rocks in both Hemispheres. By M. de Humboldt. And translated into English under his immediate inspection. Memoirs of the late Pope, including the whole of his Private Correspondence with Napoleon Bonaparte, taken from the Archives of the Vatican, with many other hitherto unpublished Particulars of his eventful Reign. By Mr. Bernard Cohen.

The first Number of a Zoological Journal, to be continued quarterly and edited by Thomas Bell, Esq. FLS., John George Children, Esq. FR. and LS,, James de Carle Sowerby, Esq. FLS., and G. B. Sowerby, FLS.

Dictionary of English Quotations, in 3 Parts: Part the First, containing quotations from Shakspeare, will appear in a few days. By the Author of the Peerage and Baronetage Charts.

The Third Livraison of the Napoleon Memoirs will be published in the course of the present month.-The work will not be so voluminous as was at first expected; two more Livraisons will complete it.

INDEX TO VOLUME III.

Anatomical Preparations, Preservation Belzoni's Travels in Africa, 389.

Christian Observer and Edinburgh Re- Eschines and Demosthenes, 97.