Scientific Intelligence, Sfc. 157 



omitted to observe that it had been boiled, to expel the carbonic acid, 

 in solution, and a minute quantity of carbonate of Treenium thereby 

 separated had been added to the rest on the filter. The solution 

 evaporated to dryness, and, gently heated, evolved copious acid 

 fumes, and fused = 4-6 grs. Water readily dissolved the residue, 

 giving a dark brown powder = 0*25 grs. The solution was strongly 

 alkaline ; and the powder, dissolved in nitric acid, gave a copious 

 white precipitate, with ferrocyanate of potassa ; like the peroxide, 

 mentioned in my last, obtained by fusing the yellowish oxide with 

 chlorate of potassa. 



In this case, then, as in the separation of the oxide from its salts 

 by pure alkalis, the resulting saline substance holds some of the oxide 

 in solution ; showing a great tendency in Treenium to form double 

 salts. 



A more extensive knowledge of the properties of Treenium (should 

 it prove a new substance) may furnish satisfactory data on which to 

 calculate its combining quayitity. Its present impracticable cha- 

 racters place it by the side of Tungsten and Titanium. 



I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, 

 Henry S. Boase. 



To Dr. R. D, Thomson. 



XVI. — Showers of Frogs. 



Several notices have lately been brought before the French 

 Academy, of showers of frogs having fallen at different times 

 in different parts of France. Professor Pontus, of Cahors, states, 

 that in the month of August, 1804,- while distant three leagues 

 from Toulouse, the sky being clear, suddenly a very thick cloud 

 covered the horizon, and thunder and lightning came on. The cloud 

 burst over the road about 60 toises (383-7 feet) from the place where 

 M. Pontus was. Two gentlemen returning from Toulouse were 

 surprised by being exposed not only to a storm but to a shower of 

 frogs. Pontus states that he saw the young frogs on their cloaks. 

 When the diligence in which he was travelling arrived at the place 

 where the storm burst, the road and the fields alongside of it were 

 observed full of frogs, which equalled in bulk from one to two cubic 

 inches, and consisted of three or four layers placed one above the 

 other. The feet of the horses and the wheels of the carriage killed 

 several thousands. The diligence travelled for a quarter of an hour 

 at least along this living road, the horses being at a trot. — (L' In- 

 stitute 166.) 



XVII. — Luminous Vibrations in Diaphanous Media. 



M. Lame has endeavoured to deduce the laws of the equilibrium 

 of the ethereal fluid in the interior of diaphanous bodies, from data 

 which he considers have been ascertained in regard to the theory of 

 light, and has inferred that the elasticity of the ether varies in pro- 

 portion to its density, and that ponderable particles act upon the 

 portion of ether situated at those places where the luminous vibrations 



