Natural History, S^-c. 187 



to IS nearly. This effect is attributed to the direction in which 

 the rain arrives at the two instruments ; in the hnver one from the 

 shelter afforded by the buildings, it is supposed to fall in a direc- 

 tion approaching more to a vertical line than above, where the wind 

 influences the drops until they enter the instrument; and in support 

 of this opinion it is remarked that when snow falls, the difference 

 is greater, the wind having greater power over it. 



Though the fact appears to be certain, yet the cause will probably 

 be considered as not clearly made out. — Bib. Univ. xxv. 265. 



4. Mountain Tallow. — Specimens of this substance were lately 

 found in a bog on the borders of Loch Fyne. This curious mineral 

 was first observed by some peasants on the coast of Finland, in 

 1736; afterwards it was found in one of the Swedish lakes. M. 

 Herman, physician of Strasburgh, observed a similar substance in 

 the water of a fountain near that city, and Professor Jameson 

 met with it in this country. It has the colour and feel of tallow, 

 and is tasteless. The following notice in regard to it was sent us. 

 It melts at 1 18°, and boils at 290°., when melted it is transparent 

 and colourless, on cooling it becomes opaque and white, though 

 not so much so as at first. It is insoluble in water, but soluble 

 in alcohol, oil of turpentine, olive oil, and naphtha while these liquids 

 are hot, but it is precipitated again when they cool. Its specific 

 gravity in the natural state is 0.6078, but the tallow is full of air- 

 bubbles, and after fusion, which disengages the air, the specific gra- 

 vity is 0.983, which is rather higher than that of tallow. It does 

 not combine with alkalies nor form soap. Thus it differs from every 

 class of bodies known ; from the fixed oils in not forming soap, from 

 the volatile oils and bitumen in being tasteless and destitute of 

 smell. Its volatility and combustibility are equal to that of any 

 volatile oil or naphtha. — Edin. Phil. Jour. xi. 214. 



5.4berth'iio Limestone. — This limestone, which is highly es- 

 teemed for the goodness of the lime which it yields, 1 have found 

 to consist of 



Carbonate of Lime 86.17 



Alumina 7.10 



Silica 3.40 



Carbonaceous matter 1.67 



Moisture l.OO 



Oxide of Iron 0.66 



100.00 

 R.P. 



Ann. Phil. N. S. viil. 72. 



6, Analysis of the Holy- Well water, near Cartmcll, Lancashire. 

 By J. C. Wooluorlh, Lieut. II. N. — This spring is situated at the 



