Scientific Intelligence, — Botany. 191 



disposal of it, at a high price, through the coinage. — Featlter- 

 stonchauglCs Journal, September 1831. 



BOTANY. 



8 Zygophyllum arbareum of Jacquin.— This species of the 

 Guayacan or Bean-caper tree, i» a common native of the pro- 

 vince of Carthagena in South America. It grows to the height 

 of 40 feet, and the wood is remarkably dense and heavy, being 

 of greater specific gravity than the most compact oak. The 

 Spanish settlers speak with enthusiasm of its durabihty. It has 

 been found by experience to be so lasting, when driven as piles 

 into the ground, that they often give it the name of imperish- 

 able zvood. As it does not contain any gallic acid or tannin, 

 iron-fastenings do not act injuriously upon it. This timber, it 

 is believed, might easily be procured ; and it might be worth 

 while to try some piles of it in our sea-piers, in the hope that it 

 would resist the attacks of the minute but very destructive ma- 

 rine insect (Lemnoria terebrans of Leach), the ravages of wliich 

 have hitherto baffled the ingenuity of our engineers. 



List of Patents granted in England, from 9.d August to ^Oth 



August 1831. 

 1831. 

 Aug. 2. To Sir J. C. Anderson, Bart. Bultenant Castle, county of Cork, 

 " for certain improved machinery for propelling vessels on water, 

 which machinery is applicable to other useful purposes." 

 3. To J. Hall, younger, Dartford, engineer, " for an improvement 

 in machinery used in the manufacture of paper." Communicated 

 by a foreigner. 



10. To J. M. E. Ardit, Newman Street, Oxford Street, printer, *' for 



a machine or apparatus for drawing, and for copying and redu- 

 cing drawings and other objects or subjects, and for taking pano- 

 ramas." Communicated by a foreigner. 



To A. Cochrane, Esq. Norton Street, Great Portland Street, 

 " for certain improvements in machinery for propelling or mo- 

 ving locomotive carriages, and giving motion to mills and other 

 machinery." 



To W. Mason, London, patent axle-tree maker, " for certain im- 

 provements in the construction of wheeled carriages." 



11. To D. Selden, Liverpool, merchant, " for certain improvements 



