196 Foreign and Miscellaneous Intelligence. 



other from twelve to fifteen lines (query, inches ?) was divided into 

 a multitude of longitudinal fragments so as to resemble a broom. 

 M. Arago, on this occasion, referred to two other cases in which 

 carpentry had been disintegrated in a similar manner. Lavoisier 

 said, relative to the latter, that one piece was split into longitudinal 

 fragments so thin and numerous as to resemble perfectly a box of 

 alumettes. These observations, made on dry wood, shew that that 

 explication should be rejected which applied only to living wood, 

 and which supposed that the electric fluid descended along the 

 vessels containing the sap *. 



It is well known that there is powerful expansion in the space 

 through which an electric discharge passes. The old instrument 

 called Kinnersley's electrometer is founded upon this effect. Now, 

 supposing lightning to strike a tree, the mere difference of cohesion 

 of the wood in different directions would account for the splitting 

 into fibres, without reference to the direction of the electricity. In 

 living or moist wood the conversion of the aqueous parts present 

 into vapour, by increasing the expansive power, would tend to in- 

 crease the rending effect ; but still the wood would give way in the 

 same manner. If, therefore, the force be enough to split the wood, 

 but yet not sufficient to tear it to atoms, it would of necessity rend 

 it into lathes or fibres. Ed. 



17. PROTRACTION OF VEGETABLE LIFE IN A DRY STATE. 



Medico-Botanical Society. Mr. Houlton produced a bulbous root 

 which was discovered in the hand of an Egyptian mummy, in which 

 it probably had remained for two thousand years. It germinated 

 on exposure to the atmosphere ; when placed in earth it grew with 

 great rapidity t. 



18. MARKET STATE OF HYOSCIAMUS. 



According to Mr. Houlton hyosciamus, as usually sold in the mar- 

 kets, is of the first year's growth, and is inert ; that of the second 

 year's growth, collected in June or July, is alone to be depended 

 upon as a remedy. Hence, probably, much of the uncertainty 

 attending the use of this plant in practice. 



19. SNOW OF THE WINTERS 1829-1830. 



M. Huber-Burnand was induced to pay particular attention to the 

 character of the snow which fell last winter at Yverdun, during the 

 months of January and February, in consequence of certain singular 

 appearances which had not before been observed. He had also 

 remarked the same character on the 21st, 22d, 23d, and 24th of 

 January, 18:29, which were very cold days. This snow was crys- 



* Revue Ency., xlvi. p. 498. t Med. Journ, v. 79. 



