152 Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles, 



Excepting between Berne and Thun, in an autumn morning in 

 1814, we have never seen a fog-bow. It was formed, however, by 

 the rays of the sun ; and in so far as we remember, a fog-bow formed 

 by the lunar rays has never been described. D. B. 



ON THE SENSATION PRODUCED UPON THE TONGUE BY 

 MAGNETO-ELECTRICITY. BY MR. F. WATK1NS. 



To the Editors of the Phil. Mag. and Journ. of Science. 



Gentlemen, 



Among the several electrical effects exhibited by natural, artificial, 

 steel, and electro-magnets, none are in my estimation more curious 

 than that produced on animals. Dr. Faraday in his excellent paper 

 on experimental researches in electricity, published in the Phil. Trans, 

 of the past year, observes, in page 138, that when using an armed load- 

 stone of great power, belonging to Prof. Daniell, he convulsed a frog 

 powerfully, and adds with a diffidence so peculiarly bis own, that " 1 

 thought also I could perceive the sensation upon the tongue, and the 

 flash before the eyes." That this eminent philosopher did observe 

 the phenomenon in a slight degree (at this moment) there can be no 

 doubt j but as the effect was feeble, in consequence of the exciting 

 cause not being sufficiently powerful, he alludes to it in the manner 

 here quoted. 



Through the kindness andliberalityof the proprietors of the National 

 Gallery of Practical Science, Adelaide Street, West Strand, I have 

 seen and performed several magneto-electric experiments with great 

 success, with their superb artificial steel magnet; and as I have not 

 noticed in print anywhere else than in Dr. Faraday's paper, that the 

 tongue had been electrified (if I may use the expression) by a mag- 

 net, I shall briefly recount what R. W. Fox, Esq., Mr. Saxton, and 

 myself experienced on the 5th of June last. And should you consi- 

 der the remarks worthy a space in your forthcoming Number, they 

 are at your service. 



Two slight copper wires were so disposed, that while one had an 

 end connected with the ascending portion of the compound helical 

 wire surrounding the armature or lifter of the large magnet, the 

 other was joined to the descending portion, thus affording the means 

 of completing the circuit in the mouth. When the free end of one 

 wire was situated underneath the tongue, and the free end of the 

 other placed above that organ , and in contact, — on breaking the con- 

 nexion between the armature and magnet, a shock was felt ; and 

 when the process was repeated several times, the sensation was truly 

 painful. Hence the original observation of Dr. Faraday was per- 

 fectly correct. 



I remain, Gentlemen, your obedient humble Servant, 

 5 Charing Cross, 12th Jan. 1833. Francis Watkins. 



OF THE POWER OF THE HOUSE SPIDER TO ESCAPE FROM AN 

 INSULATED SITUATION. BY J. F. PHCENIX. 



Having in the course of my reading, years ago, when a boy, met 

 with an account of the powers of the common house-spider (Aranea 



