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 one-third 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 lintseed oil.-London Journal of Arts, vol. iv. p. 107. 56. Etching on Glass by Fluoric Acid.-Professor Silliman, in a paper on this subject, strongly recommends the diluted fluoric acid of Gay Lussac, in preference to the vapour, as being entirely superior in energy, neatness and ease of management. The strong acid is violent and dangerous in the extreme, and should never be allowed to touch the skin, either in the fluid or vaporous state; but the diluted acid may be managed with ease and safety. Still, however, even this sometimes produces sores that last for six weeks. The following is the method of obtaining the acid. Two ounces of pure fluor-spar were introduced into the alembic, and four ounces of sulphuric-acid were added. The apparatus was placed under a flue. The receiver (which was of silver) was kept cold by ice, and when a few live coals was placed beneath the alembic, the acid was disengaged, and was condensed in the receiver without the aid of water. About an ounce of acid was thus obtained. When the acid was wanted for the purposes of etching on glass, the same method was used, only an ounce of water was placed in the silver receiver. This acid was still too powerful, as it corroded the varnish used to protect the glass, but it acted in the happiest manner when diluted with three or four parts of water. The best varnish for this purpose is made by melting together common turpentine and bees' wax.-Amer. Journ. of Science, vol. vi. No. ii. p. 354. 57. Important Improvement in Tanning.-Mr Gybbon Spilsbury of Walsale, Staffordshire, we understand, has succeeded in reducing the hitherto tedious process of tanning to a very short period. Skins are prepared by his process in nine days, requiring by the old six weeks or two months. Moderately thick hides th inch thick in six weeks: These take commonly from nine to twelve months. The leather is in every respect equal in strength and toughness, and will be superior to any hitherto produced. There is no difference in the substances employed, but only in the method of applying them. The principle is pressure. This important invention has been secured by patents for the three kingdoms. 58. The Christian Philosopher, or the Connection 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 connection 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 enquiring 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. 59. New Voyage of M. Kotzebue.-M. Kotzebue is about to set out on a new voyage of discovery round the world, at the expence 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.-Journ. des Voyages, Juillet 1823, p. 125. ART. XXXVII.-List of Patents granted in Scotland from 3d June to 18th August 1823. 13. TO ROBERT MUSHET, of the Royal Mint, Towerhill, in the county of Middlesex, gentleman, for an invention of “a mean or means, process or processes, for improving the quality of copper, and of alloyed copper, applicable to the sheathing of ships and other purposes." Sealed at Edinburgh 21st June 1823. 14. TO JOHN GREEN, of Mansfield, county of Nottingham, white-smith, for an improvement "in certain machines used for roving, spinning, and twisting cotton-flax, silk, wool, or other fibrous substances." Sealed at Edinburgh 24th June 1823. 15. TO JOHN BOURDIEU, Esq. of Lime Street, London, for an invention communicated to him by a stranger residing abroad, "of a mucilage or thickening matter, to be used in printing or colouring linen, woollen, and cotton cloths and silks, in cases in which gums, mucilages, and other thickening matters are now employed." Sealed at Edinburgh 24th June 1823. 16. To JOSEFH LEIGH BRADBURGH, of Manchester, county of Lancaster, calico-printer, for an invention of "improvements in the art of printing, painting, or staining silk, cottons, woollen and other cloths, and paper, parchment, vellum, leather, and other substances, by means of blocks or surface-printing." Sealed at Edinburgh 31st July 1823. 17. TO WILLIAM PALMER, of Lothbury, London, paperhanger, for an invention of certain improvements " in the machinery applicable to printing on calico or other woven fabrics, composed wholly or in part of cotton, linen, wool, or silk.” Sealed at Edinburgh 4th August 1823. 18. To Louis JOHN POUCHEE, of Queen Street, Holborn, county of Middlesex, type-founder, for an invention communicated by a stranger residing abroad, of "a certain machinery or apparatus, to be used or employed in the casting and making of metal types." Sealed at Edinburgh 12th August 1823. 19. To JAMES SMITH of Droitwich, county of Worcester, civil-engineer, for an invention of an "apparatus for the applying of steam for the cooling and concentration of solutions in general, crystallizing the muriate of soda from brines containing that salt, melting and refining of tallow and oils, boiling of sugar, distilling, and other similar purposes." Sealed at Edinburgh 18th August 1823. 20. TO WILLIAM WIGTON, of Derby, county of Derby, engineer, for certain "improvements on Steam-engines." Sealed at Edinburgh 18th August 1823. LIST OF PLATES IN VOL. IX. PLATE I. Fig. 1. Captain Scoresby's Magnetimeter, Page 4.2 Fig. 2. Captain Scoresby's Chronometrical Compass, 54 II. Represents the phenomena of the Two New Fluids discovered in Minerals by Dr Brewster, 94 III. Contains Figures illustrating the Natural History and 107 IV. Fig. 1. Represents the Crystals of a New Mineral 55 Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, are Diagrams illustrating Mr Bow- 57 Fig. 6. Represents the Singular Flint Celt belonging 152 Figs. 7.-15. are Diagrams illustrating Professor 167 Fig. 16. Represents the New Steam-Engine of Mr V. Represents a Map drawn by a Native of Dawæ, 228 of the Knight over the Chess-board, 237 VII. Illustrates the Experiments of M. Frauenhofer on the 288 VIII. Represents the Steam-boat proposed in 1736 by Mr 274 INDEX. A Acetic acid, crystallisation of it by pressure, 401. Acid earth in Persia, 403. Aerolites, mineralogical description of some which fell near Wiborg, 333. Adriatic, Tour to the coast of the, 82. Amber, insects in, 408. America, North, on the slave population of, 63. Amici, Professor, his observations on double stars, 334. Ammonia condensed into a liquid, 384. Anthracite, on the fusion of, 175. Antimony, on the development of magnetism in bars of, by unequal heating or cooling, 167. Appennines, on the geognostical structure of, 153. Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland instituted, 205. Atmospheric air converted into a fluid by pressure, 401. 398. ·pressure, on its influence upon the bulbs of thermometers, B Babbage, Mr, his calculating engine, 197, 397. Barometer, on the periodical rise and fall of, within the Tropics, 398. Barton, Mr, his iris-metal ornaments, 410. Becquerel, M. on the production of electricity by pressure, 396. Bitumen in minerals, 403. Blainville, M. on the shell of cephalated mollusca, 359. Borgesen, Rev. U. F., his description of Vettie's Giel in Norway, 299. Boué, Dr, on the comparative geology of the south of France and Bowdich, Mr, on the measurement of the progress of an eclipse of the Brazil, geognosy of, 208. Brewster, Dr, on the existence of two new fluids in minerals, 94, 400. |