142 SCIENTIFIC NEWS. 



SCIENTIFIC NEWS, Sfc. 

 Death of Profejfor Claproth. 



Khprotfc. fc30ME of the foreign journals have announced the death of 



the celebrated Klaproth of Berlin, who, for the benefit of the 

 Sciences, continues in good health in his fixty-fecond year. 

 Mr. Juftus Claproth, Profetfor of Jurifprudence in the Univer- 

 sity of Gottingen, well known for feveral learned works on 

 that fubjecr, died on the 10th February laft, in his feventy- 

 feventh year. 



Agronomical Prize, 



Lalande's prize The medal founded by de Lalande for the beft agronomical 

 given to Har- work, has been adjudged by the National Inftitute in its fitting 

 of April laft, to Mr. Harding, for his difcovery of the laft new 

 f planet. That able aftronomer has been appointed to the di- 

 rection of the Obfervatory at Gottingen. 



ding 



Neiv Mufical Inftriunent* 



New mufical A Polifli clock-maker named Maftoufky, arrived at Berlin, 



inftrument. a ^ the beginning of the prefent year, with the intention of ex- 

 hibiting a new ftringed inlirument, of his invention. Not- 

 wilhftanding a variety of advertifements, he did not fucceed in 

 attracting the public notice; and he determined to exhibit the 

 inftrument at a concert previous to his departure. About 300 

 auditors attracted by the names of Himmel and Seidien, who 

 were to perform, attended, and towards the end of the concert 

 nearly half the number retired. The artift proceeded to ex- 

 hibit his Kcelifon, which is the name he gives the inftrument. 

 Itconfifts of a found-board, on which the ufual fyftem of .wires 

 of the piano are fixed. Between thefe wires are fmall wooden 

 cylinders, which being „put into motion, communicate their 

 vibrations to the wires. The tones are fo foft and enchanting 

 that the harmonica cannot equal them, the forte and piano are 

 given in every imaginable gradation, and the whole effect was 

 no lei s furprifing than unexpected, and the maker Huhn re- 

 ceived orders tor a number of the inftruments. 



The 



