$02 SCIENTIFIC NEWS. 



As phofphorus had a very ftrong affinity for oxigen, we 

 fliould be difpofed, a priori, to conclude, in reafoning upon 

 the fads lately difcovered concerning the gafeous oxide of 

 carbon, that this fubftance would be formed and evolved with 

 the carbonic acid in the procefs of the decompofition of phof- 

 phoric acid by charcoal. Is it not poflible that the new gas 

 may be a mixture of a triple compound of carbon, phofphorus, 

 and oxigen, with carbonated hidrogen produced from the de- 

 compofition of water united to the primary ingredients? 

 There is nothing in the experiments detailed in the memoir 

 which militates againft this fuppofition, and it might be fub- 

 mitted to the proof of a new experiment at the fame time 

 with the theory of the author. 



D. 



Notice concerning certain peculiar Habits of the Shark and Piloi 

 Fijh, by Geo f fro y, Profejfor at the Mufeum of Natural 

 Hiftory. 

 Int«refting nar- IT is afferted, that the fhark has brought under his com- 

 ancTpilot fi'ft. raand, a very fmall fifli of the fpecies of the gadus, that this 

 latter fifli precedes its mailer in its progrefs, that it points out 

 thofe parts of the fea which moft abound in fifli, and the me- 

 thod of obtaining the prey of which he is mofl greedy ; and 

 that the (hark, notwithstanding its extreme voracity, in ac- 

 knowledgment for thefe fignal fervices, lives on good terms 

 with this ufeful companion. Naturalifls, who are always 

 guarded againft the exaggerations of travellers, and not being 

 able to account for fuch an aflbciation, have doubtfully re- 

 jected thefe facls. It will be feen that they are wrong in fo 

 doing : the obfervations which I have made are accompanied 

 by circumftances, which perhaps were never prefented to any 

 one but myfelf in fo detailed a manner. 



The 6th Prairial in the year 6, I was on board the frigate 

 Alctfie between Cape Bon and the Ifland of Malta. The fea 

 was calm : the paffengers were tired with its long duration, 

 when their attention was arretted by a (hark which they per- 

 ceived approaching the veflel. It was preceded by pilot filh, 

 who were nearly at the fame diftance from one another as they 



were 



