Dcstruc.lion nj Zayite Inj an Earihqiiake. 141 



means docs it suggest as most efficacious for freeing lands of 

 them where thev prove destructive ? On the other hand, are 

 there any observations tending to prove that they are ever useful 

 by destroying other vermin ? and how may it be known when moles 

 should be tolerated ? " 



" Dried yeast having been substituted for wet in brewing, the 

 Society requires, 1. A comparison, founded on chemical analysis, 

 of the nature of yeast both in the wet and dry forms ; and a 

 statement of their relative quahties : 2. A method to free wet 

 yeast from the bitter flavour caused by the liop used in brewing : 

 3. Means bv which wet yeast may be preserved, at least for some 

 time, so as to retain the power of fermenting dough." 



" A.S various plants of rapid growth produce a kind of peat, 

 tlie Society wishes to obtain a succinct and precise statement of 

 whatever has been described or may be observed on this subject: 

 likewise to have it discussed what methods should be followed to 

 promote the growth of some species of peat." 



XXII. Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 

 To Mr. Tilloch. 



DESTRUCTION OF ZANTE BY AN EARTHQUAKE. 



AR. M. Academy, Woolwich, 19th February 1821. 

 i.TiioUGH it is past the usual time at which you receive 

 communications for your valuable journal, yet I think you may 

 deem the follov,ing account of the late destructive Earthquake 

 at Znnte of sufficient interest to give it a place this month. It 

 is extracted from a letter from a relation at Corfu, and I can rely 

 on the correctness of the information it affords. The atmo- 

 spheric phaenomena, which accompanied this earthquake, appear 

 to have been similar to those observed on other occasions, and 

 clearly point out an intimate connexion between the convulsions 

 beneath the surface of the earth and those in the atmosphere, ex- 

 tending even to the higher regions. The circumstances of per- 

 sonal danger, generally attending these convulsions, are such as 

 not to allow of any but the most remarkable phaenomena being 

 observed ; which is the more to be regretted, as a series of correct 

 observations detailing all the accompanying circumstances would 

 in this, as in every other case, aiford the most certain means of 

 arriving at the true explanation of their cause, and perhaps of 

 escaping their most fatal effects. We have at present English- 

 men of education and science in nearly every part of the globe : 

 what a service would they render toscicnce, were they in all cases, 

 as nmch as in their power, to note the circumstances attending 

 the phaenomena which may fall under their observation, in order 



that 



