152 Moveable Axle for Carriages. — Animal Flower, 



calculation for double altitudes, the latitude, by account, is sup- 

 posed to be known, which, in the use of this instrument, is not 

 necessary. I have tried it in several examples, and always found 

 the results very near the truth. If a vessel were driven from her 

 course l)y storms or currents — if the reckoning was altogether 

 lost, and the mariner could not get a meridian observation — with 

 this instrument and a chronometer, he could, in a few minutes 

 after the second observation, ascertain his position on the ocean 

 with accuracy. An invention of so much utility in navigation is 

 worthy of encouragement from those concerned in the commerce 

 of the country. 

 " Glasgow Observatoiy, Dec. 3, 1817- " J- Ceoss." 



•MOVEABLE AXLE FOR f ARRfAGES. 



A useful and ingenious improvement applicable to all four- 

 wheeled carriages has just been announced, possessing the fol- 

 lowing advantages : A carriage with this moveable axle will turn 

 in much less space than with the old axle; may be built from 15 

 to 18 inches shorter than on the old principle, and affords com- 

 plete security against upsetting : the fore wheels may be made 

 higher, while the body may be hung lower, which facilitates the 

 progress of the carriage where impediments present themselves 

 arising from inequalities in the road. This invention has been 

 brought forward by Mr. Ackermann of the Strand, well known 

 as the publisher of many ingenious and useful works. Already 

 many of our first coach-makers are busy in applying this improve- 

 ment to use. 



ANIMAL FLOWER. 



' The inhabitants of St. Lucia have discovered a most singular 

 plant. In a cavern of that isle, near the sea, is a large bason, from 

 twelve to fifteen feet deep, the water of which is very brackish, 

 and the bottom composed of rocks. From these, at all times, 

 proceed certain substances, which present, at first sight, beauti- 

 ful flowers, of a bright shining colour, and pretty nearly resem- 

 bling our marigolds — only that their tint is more lively. These 

 seeming flowers, on the approach of a hand or instrument, retire, 

 like a snail, out of sight. On examining their substance closely, 

 there appear, in the middle of the disk, four brown filaments, 

 resembling spiders' legs, which move round a kind of petals with 

 a pretty brisk and spontaneous motion. These legs have pincers 

 to seize their prey; and, upon seizing it, the yellow petals im- 

 mediately close, so that it cannot escape. Under this exterior 

 of a flower is a brown stalk, of the bigness of a raven's quill, and 

 which appears to be the body of some animal. It is probable 

 that this strange creature lives on the spawn of fish, and the 

 marine insects thrown by the sea into the bason. 



QUERIES. 



