186 New Publications. 



slow decomposition under a graduated heat, when it may be exposed 

 to the action of oxide of copper. Professor Sobrero, however, had 

 not completed his analysis when his paper was read. Its composi- 

 tion may lead to the better understanding of other fulminating com- 

 pounds, and we may be able to obtain fulminating substances by 

 similar means from starch, flour, &c. — Professor Thomas Stewart 

 Traill. 



14. An Ancient Art rediscovered. — At a meeting of the Asiatic So- 

 ciety of London, some time ago, a human hand and a piece of beef, pre- 

 served by means of a preparation of vegetable tar, found on the borders 

 of the Red Sea in the vicinity of Mocha, were presented ; a specimen, 

 of the tar accompanied them. Colonel Holt, who presented the spe- 

 cimens, observes, — " During my residence on the Red Sea, a conver- 

 sation with some Bedouin Arabs, in the vicinity of Mocha, led me to 

 suspect that the principal ingredient used by the ancient Egyptians 

 in the formation of mummies was nothing more than the vegetable 

 tar of those countries, which is called by the Arabs, Katren. My first 

 trials to prove the truth of this conjecture were on fowls and legs of 

 mutton, and, though made in July, when the thermometer ranged 

 at 94° in the shade, they succeeded so much to my satisfaction, that 

 I forwarded some to England ; and have now the pleasure to send 

 to the society a human hand prepared in a similar way four years 

 since. The best informed among the Arabs think that large quan- 

 tities of camphor, myrrh, aloes, and frankincense were used in the 

 preparation of the mummies. These specimens will, however, prove 

 that such additions were by no means necessary, as the tar applied 

 alone penetrates and discolours the bone. This tar is obtained from 

 the branches of a small tree or shrub, exposed to a considerable degree 

 of heat, and it is found in most parts of Syria and Arabia Felix." 



NEW PUBLICATIONS. 



1. An Introduction to Conchology, or Elements of the Natural History 

 of Molluscous Animals : illustrated with one hundred and twelve woodcuts. 

 One vol. 8vo, pp. 613. By George Johnston, M.D., LL.D. London: 

 John Van Voorst, 1850. A volume on scientific and popular Conchology 

 hy 80 accurate, experienced, and learned a naturalist as Dr Johnston, 

 cannot hut he acceptable to the numerous cultivators of this heautiful 

 branch of Zoology. We have been instructed by its ample zoological 

 and economical details, and truly gratified by its sound general views. 

 The varied historical information communicated by the author, reminds 

 us vividly of bygone times, and adds a charm to a volume which, we 

 doubt not, will find a place in every zoological library, and be prized 

 by the higher class of general readers. 



2. The Principles of Geology Explained, and viewed in their Relations 

 to Revealed and Natural Religion. By the Rev. David King, LL.D. 

 Second Edition, 12mo, pp. 286. Johnstone and Hunter, Edinburgh, 

 1850. An agreeable and pleasantly written popular view of Geology. 



