2 38 Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles, 



luble in it, exerts no action on the animal coconomy. — Journal de 

 Pharmacies October 1834. 



IMPROVED COMPASS-NEEDLES. 



We are informed by a correspondent that Dr. M. Smith of Wash- 

 ington, United States, has effected a great improvement in the ma- 

 nufacture of magnetic needles for the compass. He has succeeded, 

 it is stated to us, in producing a needle, which in the same place 

 uniformly settles itself upon the same magnetic meridian ; and all 

 the needles which he prepares take the same line of direction. They 

 appear to have more directive force, are less susceptible of local 

 disturbance, and are more permanent in their properties than the 

 common needles of ships' compavsses. Seamen who have used them 

 say that they are more steady in squally weather than those which 

 they have been accustomed to employ. 



Dr.Smith*sneedles,we are further informed, have been examined by 

 the officers of the naval department of the United States, who, after 

 verifying their indications and trying them at sea, have concurred in 

 a favourable report of their qualities. 



Dr. Smith will be happy to submit his needles to the inspection 

 or examination of all persons who may be interested in the subject, 

 upon their addressing a note to him, at the Museum of National 

 Manufactures, Leicester-square. 



ANALYSES OF OSMIRIDIUM AND ALLANITE. 



The six-sided grains of osmiridium from Nischne-Tagilsk and 

 Ekaterinenburg, described by Professor Gustav Rose, consist, ac- 

 cording to Berzelius {Konig. Vetejish. Acad. Handling. 1833), of 

 25 iridium and 75 osmium. Their composition is consequently 

 expressed by the symbol I-f-30s. 



A specimen of allanite from Iglorsoit in Greenland, the specific 

 gravity of which was 3'44;92, has lately been analysed by Stro- 

 meyer: 100 parts gave 



Silex 33021 



Alumina 15-226 



Protoxide of cerium 21 -600 



Protoxide of iron 15-101 



Protoxide of manganese 0*404 



Lime 11-080 



Water 3000 



99-432 

 It gelatinizes readily in nitric and muriatic acid. 



SCIENTIFIC BOOK. 



Preparing for Publication. 

 By Prof. Phillips. 

 The Second Volume of Illustrations of the Geology of Yorkshire, 

 with numerous Maps, Sections, and Plates of Organic Remains. 

 Also a new edition of the First Volume of that work. 



