110 Chronicles of Science. | Jan., 
the iron to be operated on, and a hollow vertical shaft, capable of 
being raised or lowered, which is fitted with two or more horizontal 
arms. ‘This represents the “rabble.” These arms dip into the 
melted metal—the shaft revolves, and, either steam or air being 
forced down it, passes from the arms through the iron, and, by 
the combined operation of the steam, air, and motion, puddling is 
rapidly effected. We shall wait for further experiments before we 
enlarge on this arrangement. 
We regret to have to chronicle the death of Dr. E. H. Birken- 
head, F.G.8., lecturer on Science at the Free Library School of 
Science, and Royal Infirmary School of Medicine, Liverpool, and 
Master of the Wigan Mining School. He was the ablest of all the 
Science teachers certificated by the Science and Art Department. 
His loss is deeply felt in Liverpool and Wigan, and in both towns 
successful efforts are being made to raise a fund for his widow. 
10. PHYSICS. 
Licut.—Some valuable experiments on solar radiation have been 
made by M. Soret on the Glacier des Bossons and the summit of 
Mont Blane. He finds that the increase of the radiation with the 
altitude is less rapid than the diminution of the barometric pressure, 
or than the diminution of the atmospheric thickness. This result 
is contrary to what can be deduced from the observations made by 
Professor Forbes in 1832 on the Faulhorn and the Brientz.* The 
atmospheric pressure being the same, the radiation observed at an 
elevated altitude is more powerful than at a lower elevation. The 
ratio of the intensity of the solar radiation on Mont Blane and 
Geneva is as about 6 to 5. 
Father Secchi has examined the flame of the Bessemer con- 
verter, and has observed several points of resemblance between its 
spectrum and that of certain yellow and red stars. It is well known 
that the Bessemer flame in the spectroscope when the iron is com- 
pletely decarbonized, presents a series of very fine and numerous 
lines, which remind one of « Orionis and « Herculis, only reversed. 
This results undoubtedly from the great number of metals burning 
in the flame, and the spectrum presents several lines well known 
and determined. ‘This flame seems to be the only one comparable 
with that of the coloured stars, and there is nothing improbable in 
this when we consider how largely iron predominates in aerolites. 
The same artificial spectrum—that of the flame of the Besse- 
mer converter —has likewise been examined by Professor Lielegg. 
This flame is supposed to be carbonic acid gas in an incandescent 
* «Phil. Trans,,’ 1842, part ii., p. 225. 
