Scientific InteUigence.— Geology. 185 



as much as amounts to half a millet-seed ; we observe in the 

 fluid small brownish yellow, generally round (but also of other 

 forms) points, from the size of a small grain of gunpowder, in 

 distances from one another of 0.25 to 1 line. These points are in 

 perpetual slower or quicker motion, so that they move through 

 an apparent space of 1 line, in from 0.5 to 2 or 4 seconds. If we 

 employ fine oil of almonds in place of water, no motion of the 

 particles takes place, while in spirit of Avine it is so rapid as 

 scarcely to be followed by the eye. This motion certainly bears 

 some resemblance to that we observe in infusory animals, but 

 the latter shew more of voluntary action. The idea of vitality 

 is entirely out of the question. On the contrary, we are disposed 

 to view the motions as of a mechanical nature, caused by 

 the unequal temperature of the strongly illuminated water, its 

 evaporation, currents of air, and heated currents, &c. If the 

 diameter of a drop is placed at 0.5 of a line, we obtain, by mag- 

 nifying it 500 times, an apparent mass of water of more than a 

 foot and half the side, with small particles swimming in it, and 

 if we consider their motions magnified in an equal degree, the 

 phenomenon ceases to be wonderful, without, liowever, losing 

 any thing of its interest. 



6. Brewsterite.—Smce my former notice on the constitution 

 of Brewsterite, I have completed an analysis of a portion of one 

 of the specimens mentioned in that r.otice, consisting of a con- 

 cretion of Brewsterite partly crystallized, and partly amorphous ; 

 and have found it to contain, besides silica, alumina and water, 

 7.709 per cent, of strontia, 5.27 of baryta, and 1.007 of lime, 

 the strontia and baryta being in the proportion of two atoms of 

 the former to one of the latter. Before, however, publishing a 

 statement of the proportions of all the constituents, I wish to 

 repeat the analysis, which diff"erent avocations have prevented 

 me from as yet accompUshing. — Arthur Connell. 



GEOLOGY. 



7. A VUlcige lighted by Natural Ga*.— The village of Fredo- 

 nia, in the western part of the State of New York, presents 

 this singular phenomenon. I was detained there a day in Oc- 

 tober of last year, and had an opportunity of examining it at lei- 

 sure. The village is forty miles from Buffalo, and about two 



