-204 



MTIKAKY NOTICES. 



intMisf accumulation of ir.e within t.lu> |>.>l:u 

 circle, which will be reflected with great 

 brilliancy towards the darkened hemi- 

 sphere, undergoing in their course another 

 refraction, which bends them still more 

 southward ; and, as the atmosphere pos- 

 sesses the power of reflecting light, these 

 rays will finally fall back on the earth, 

 and will at a certain angle, and in certain 

 Hmits, be visible to its inhabitants." We 

 consider this theory to be equally rational 

 with the well-known theory of double re- 

 fraction and reflection in the formation of 

 the iris, or rainbow. 



Natural Sulphuric Acid. Though 

 sulphur is found more or less in the vici- 

 nity of every volcano, we believe the only 

 instance known of sulphuric acid found in 

 a state of nature is in the island of Java, 

 near Batavia. A lake of sulphuric acid 

 occupies the crater of an extinct volcano, 

 from whence it flows in a rivulet down the 

 sides of the mountain to a considerable 

 distance. In the dry season this acid 

 rivulet becomes absorbed by the sandy 

 soil through which it runs ; but in the 

 rainy period it unites with another stream, 

 called the White River. The water of 

 the latter, though saturated with a whitish 

 clay, is not unwholesome either to fish or 

 other animals. But, after the junction of 

 the acid rivulet, the stream becomes trans- 

 parent, the acid precipitating the earthy 

 matter, and destroying not only the fish, 

 but all the vegetation it passes over. 



Climate of the United States. Accord- 

 ing to a Register in Silliman's Journal 

 of the weather, kept by Dr. Darlington, 

 during ten years past, near Philadelphia, 

 ttie average quantity of rain in that district 

 is about forty-seven inches, and the maxi- 

 mum fifty-four inches. .The author is of 

 opinion that a considerable amelioration in 



(lie rlimati? ol' A Ulrica H grad;ially 

 place, the quantity of snow and the dura- 

 tion of winter being materially diminished 

 daring the last thirty years. This ame- 

 lioration of the American climate will 

 prove greatly advantageous to our nume- 

 rous settlers in the Canadian provinces, 

 which are at present frozen up during more 

 than one-half of the year. 



Scholars not allowed to beg without a 

 licenee! By the act 1449, c. 22, in the 

 reign of the Second James of Scotland, U 

 was ordained, " That all sornars, over- 

 layers, and masterful beggars, should he. 

 imprisoned, have their ears nailed to the 

 trone, or till ane other tree, have their 

 ears cutted off, be banished the country, 

 and if they returned that they should be 

 hanged." The latter statute, 1579, c. 24, 

 declares who should be reckoned among 

 vagrants ; and it is not a little curious to 

 find among them, "all vagabond schollars 

 of the universities of St. Andrew's, Glas- 

 gow, and Aberdeen, hot licensed by the 

 rector and dean of faculty of the university 

 to ask alms." 



French Gallantry. A nobleman could 

 never persuade the lady of his love to 

 accept of any thing in the form of a pre- 

 sent. At length the season of the etrennes, 

 or annual gifts, arrived ; and the fair one, 

 after much solicitation, consented to re- 

 ceive from him a plain ring, containing 

 the portrait of a favourite bird. The ring 

 was presented, and accepted; but on dis- 

 covering that the portrait was covered, 

 not with a bit of crystal in the usual 

 fashion, but with a valuable brilliant, the 

 splendid cheat was instantly and indig- 

 nantly returned. The lover wrote to im- 

 plore pardon for his temerity drying the 

 ink of his billet with the diamond, which 

 he ground into dust for that purpose. 



LITERARY NOTICES. 



In the press. 



Dr. BlundelPs Observations on the More Important. Diseases of Women, 

 edited by Dr. Castle. 



British Flora Medica, by B. H. Barton, F. L. S. and Dr. Castle, F. L. S. 

 Part IV. 2s. 6d. 



Mr. John Weale, Architectural Library, will shortly publish a Supplemen- 

 tary Part to the original edition of Stuart's Athens, containing the very curious 

 Plate wanting to the second volume of all the copies extant, together with 

 several other plates from Drawings by Sir. J. L. Chantrey, &c. 



Mr. Osier, Author of " The Life of Admiral Lord Exmouth," has a work in 

 the press entitled, " The Church and Dissent considered in their practical Influ- 

 ence." It describes the system of each and traces their operation upon Indi- 

 viduals, Society, the Nation, and Religion. 



