Prof. Bischof 07i Volcanos and Earthqtiakes. 25 



to allow of any hesitation about assigning the first rank to the 

 works which do them honour, and which spread comfort, health, 

 and happiness, among the working classes. 



In the presence of a part of the Academie des inscriptions^ 

 within the precincts where the name of Hieroglyphics has so 

 often resounded, I cannot omit to mention the service which 

 Fourier rendered to the sciences in preserving ChampoUion for 

 them. The young professor of history to the Literary Faculty 

 of Grenoble, had just reached the age of twenty. Fate calls 

 him to shoulder the musket. Fourier exempts him on the 

 ground of the title of pupil of the School of Oriental Langua- 

 ges, which ChampoUion had had at Paris. The Minister of 

 War learns that the pupil had formerly given in his resigna- 

 tion ; he exclaims against the fraud, and sends a furious order 

 for his departure, which seems to prevent even the idea of re- 

 clamation. Fourier, however, is not discouraged; the steps 

 he takes are skilful and urgent ; and finally, he draws such an 

 animated picture of the precocious talent of Ms young friend^ 

 that it obtains from the authorities a special decree of exemption. 

 It was not easy, gentlemen, to be so successful. At the same 

 period a conscript, a member of our Academy^ could only get his 

 order for departure recalled, by declaring that he would fol- 

 low on foot and in the dress of the Institute, the contingent of 

 the arrondissement of Paris in which he was classed. 

 ( To be concluded in next Numher.) 



On the Natural History of Volcanos and Earthquakes^ by Dr 

 GusTAv Bischof, Professor of Chemistry in the University 

 of Bonn. Communicated by the Author. 

 I. Are volcanic phenomena capable of a satisfactory explanation frmn 

 the increase of temperature towards the centre of the earth., or can che- 

 mical processes be admitted icilh greater probabilit?/ to be the cause 

 of volcanic action ? 



On inquiring into the cause of volcanic phenomena we must 

 not forget, says Von Humboldt,* that the arrangement of vol- 



* On the structure and action of volcanos in various parts of the earth, 

 in the Abliandhmgen der Kouigl. Acad. d. Wissensch. zu Berlin, 1822 and 

 1823, p. 137, and in Jameson's Phil. Jour. vol. v. p. 222. 



