in the Native Black Oxide of Mainjancse. 261 



the vessel in which the experiment was at first made, covered 

 with dilute sulphuric acid,— ^a period of more than eighteen 

 months ; and it will scarcely be doubted that, in the course of 

 that long interval, afty muriate of lime which it might have 

 originally contained mwst have been thoroughly decomposed. 

 Upon removing the supernatant acid, the residuary manganese 

 gave sensible evidence of the presence of chlorine ; paper 

 stained with the solution of indigo in sulphuric acid was readily 

 bleached by it, &c. I now proceeded to wash the manganese 

 in pure water, and continued to do so until the acid was no 

 longer perceptible to the taste. I then washed it three times 

 successivel)! with distilled water, and after decanting off the 

 fluid of the last washing as closely as possible, added pure sul- 

 phuric acid in considerable quantity, and stirred the mixture 

 thoroughly, after it had cooled, with a glass rod. At this time 

 no vapour of chlorine was evident either to the smell or to the 

 usual tests. The mixture was then set aside, and allowed to 

 stand undisturbed for ten days : at the end of that time, when 

 the acid was poured off, and the subsident manganese agitated, 

 the vapour of chlorine was as distinctly manifest as when it 

 was first subjected to experiment more than a year and a half 

 ago. 

 Dublin, June 11, 1827. 



Modern Improvements of Horticulture, 



That gardening has always been one of the most natural, as 

 well as the most useful occupations of mankind, is obvious : 

 that it has advanced — been retarded — or flourished, according 

 as general taste or wants, or peculiar political, moral, or local 

 circumstances, were favourable or adverse, is also sufficiently 

 evident from all historical testimony ; — but in no age has it 

 advanced with such rapid strides towards perfection as it has 

 done within the last fifty years. To bring the modern improve- 

 ments in array before the reader,-— to estimate their advantages 

 in a public and private point of view, — to look fonvard from 

 our present elevated station to the probable results of continued 

 and extended appUcation,— may be an amusing, if not an 



