3W8 Scientific Intelligence. — New Publications. 



and when the thread begins to smoke, the glass cracks. The 

 author attributes this effect to the development of electricity, 

 since, in this case, he says, we cannot admit an alternation of 

 cold and heat, as takes place in other methods. The thickest 

 pieces of glass may be cut in this manner. 



NEW PUBLICATIONS. 



1. Mathematics practically applied to the Useful and Fine Arts ; 

 by Baron Charles Dupin, Member of the Institute, of the 

 Academy of Sciences, &c. &c. Adapted to the State of the 

 Arts in England ; by George Birkbeck, Esq. M. D., Pre- 

 sident of the London Mechanics' Institution, &c. &c. 



Since the publication of our last, some of the first numbers 

 of this truly interesting work have made their appearance. A 

 work of the kind has been long a desideratum in this country ; 

 and considering the high characters both of the author and 

 translator, we have reason to expect that it will be such as the 

 title bears, and productive of the happiest effects throughout 

 the British empire. Though written in a masterly style, it at 

 same time possesses all that simplicity and perspicuity which are 

 so essential to such a work, and characteristic of true science. 

 It is remarkable, that our operative classes should have so long 

 kept before our continental neighbours, for practical skill in the 

 arts and manufactures, whilst we have in general been as far 

 behind them in a scientific point of view. The present work is 

 well calculated to rescue both parties from these equally unpro- 

 fitable extremes of abstract speculation, and of human creatures 

 labouring like inanimate machines, without understanding the 

 rationale of their operations. At same time we are sure, that 

 those who have made considerable proficiency in science, will not 

 lose their labour by perusing this work. The specimen which 

 we have seen both of the printing and engraving is excellent. 

 But to most readers, the value of such a work would be almost 

 doubled by using cuts inserted in the letter-press instead of 

 plates. In this way, not only the task of seeking out the figure, 

 but the far more irksome one of separately carrying every word 

 or letter between the figure and plate, would be in a great 



