TRANSACTIONS OP THE SECTIONS. 45 



decreases in power, and is not so practically useful as the double fluid battery, which 

 will last about the same power for fourteen days, when the poles are only occasionally 

 connected as in electric telegraphs ; certain peculiarities respecting the ratio of inten- 

 sity to quantity when a series of cells is used, have been observed, which differ from 

 those remarked in other batteries. 



M. Kukla, on directing his attention to the best means of making a small portable 

 battery for physiological purposes, has found very small and flat Cruikshank batteries, 

 excited by weak phosphoric acid (1 of glacial phosphoric acid to 20 of water), to 

 be the best; phosphoric acid being very deliquescent, and forming with the zinc, 

 during the galvanic action, an acid phosphate of zinc. A battery of this description 

 does not decrease in power very materially until it has been three hours in action. 



Note on the Advantages arising from the Purification of Coal- Gas, by the 

 Application of Water in an Instrument called " The Scrubber." By 

 G. Lowe. 



On Changes observed in Wood from the Submerged Forest at Wawne in 

 Holderness. By T. J. Pears all, F.C.S. 



"While the agricultural drainage was cutting, the remains of a forest was found, 

 principally consisting of gigantic pines. Sections of the timber having been obtained 

 for the Hull Philosophical Society, they were carefully piled away ; some days after- 

 wards they were found giving a peculiarly penetrating and setherial odour, showing 

 that some great changes were taking place ; after they were separated from each 

 other, it v/ecs found that some of these timbers had crystals of a waxy appearance and 

 inflammable character attached to the wood. 



On Crystals from the Sea-coast of Africa, By T. J. Pears all, F.C.S. 



The crystals here shown were obtained by Capt. Mitchell of the Merchant Ship 

 • Frankfield,' while searching the coast of Africa between Saldanah Bay and the island 

 of Ichaboe for guano deposits. 



The crystals are of carbonate of lime, enclosing sand; 15 to 20 per cent, sand are 

 obtained from some specimens. 



The crystals are very hard and have sharp cutting edges, so as to make it a painful 

 task to walk upon them. The beach was covered with crystals to the extent of miles ; 

 about three miles was walked over, but it seemed as far as the eye could reach, and 

 was half to one mile in breadth. Some of the specimens are from 4 to 5 inches in 

 length, showing a thickness of half an inch, and from 2 to 3 inches across the plane; 

 the report given was that some of the crystals protruded up from the sand so far as 

 to wound the ankles and legs without great care in walking over. 



Some crystals seem to be opake, with the sand enclosed, except at the edges ; 15 to 

 20 per cent, of sand is obtained from portions of crystals; carbonates of lime and 

 magnesia with small quantities of saline matter. Common salt principally can be 

 obtained by breaking them up in distilled water. They are extremely soluble in 

 diluted nitric acid. 



Mineralogists and chemists are perfectly well aware of the stony substance called 

 'Fontainbleu Sandstone,' where the sandstone is found having forms of crystals of 

 carbonate of lime ; these crystals now exhibited show the fact of sand of the beach en- 

 closed without altering the general form, and also that the crystal has at its base 

 adapted itself to the sand and other crystals. 



These specimens show the great facility on that coast of producing mineralized 

 crystals, and also suggests the opportunities constantly offered to intelhgent mer- 

 chant seamen, of bringing home specimens of great interest which are uncommon in 

 most parts of the world, except in some places, where they may visit, and where there 

 may be abundance. 



On Lime Flowers, or peculiarly formed Substances from the brickwork of one 

 of the Reservoirs of the Hull Water-works before final completion for use. 

 By T. J. Pearsall, F.aS. 

 These strange productions were found on one side of a reservoir, neither at the 



