Foreign Literature and Science. 373 
in excess, filter, and then test the clear fluid by sub carbo- 
nate of potash. If any precipitate falls down, the earth was 
strontian ; if the fluid remains clear, it was es.— 
Brande’s Jour. 
10. The Niger.—It is at length ascertained that this river 
empties itself into the Atlantic Ocean a few degrees to the 
westward of the Equator. This important fact is confirmed 
by the arrival in England of Mr. Dupuis from Africa. This 
gentleman was consul at Ashantee. He is acquainted with 
the Arabic and Moorish languages, and got his intelligence 
by conversing with different traders with whom he fell in at 
Ashantee. He thought it so important as to warrant his 
voyage home to communicate to government what he had 
learnt.— Tilloch Mag. 
11. Natural History.—M. Balande has returned to 
France, after an absence of two years in the interior of Afri- 
ea. The whole collection which he has brought home for 
the Museum of Paris, comprises 15,000 articles. Among 
which are the skeletons and skins of an enormous Hippo- 
feet in length. 
12. Gas Illumination.—At a meeting of the citizens of 
Hull, in England, on the 15th of January, after a discussion 
on the respective advantages of gas from coal and gas from 
oil, it was unanimously agreed to adopt the latter for the pur- 
por of lighting the town. It was stated that oil gas is free 
om the offensive smell of gas from coal ; that it does not 
corrode the pipes, nor tarnish nor discolour polished metals, 
silks, &e.; that it is used in Covent-Garden theatre, in the 
Argyle Rooms, in Whitbread’s brewery, and some other pla- 
ces, and that 1000 feet of oil gas will produce light equal to 
3333 feet of coal gas. It appears that the Emperor Alex- 
ander is lighting up his palace at St. Petersburgh with oil 
gas. 
13. Extract from a French work on Lime, Mortar, and 
artificial Puzzolana.—Lime stones vary greatly in quality. 
Those which approach to marble in purity or consist almost 
entirely of carbonate of lime are called rich ; those on the 
on. FV..... o. 2. 22 
