156 Bile ofSerpt^its — FeaUng of Engine Boilers. 



Descrip. From two to three inches long, and probably 



pendulous, roughened by minute papillae. Common trunk 

 short, about one line in diameter ; branches dense, tapering 

 to a filament at the extremities, and appearing beautifully 

 articulated by transverse black bands; the joints rather 

 longer than the diameter of the branches. Apothecia — none 

 in the specimens I have seen. Cephalodia scattered, some- 

 times crowded and irregular. 



Hab. On the perpendicular volcanic rocks of New South 



Shetland. 



Obs. This species is nearly allied to Ustiea articulata of 



Hoffman and the Flo7e Froncnise, which is considered as a 

 variety of U. harhata by Acharius ; but the latter is distin- 

 guished by its gray colour, dichotomous branches, and ven- 

 tricose joints, &c. 



REMEDY FOR THE BITE OF SERPENTS. 



M. Leguevel, " On the Properties of the Guaco," states that 

 this shrub, which is a sort of climber, or pliant willow, found 

 in the warm and temperate regions of the Viceroyalty of Santa 

 Fe, towards the 45th degree of north latitude, not only pos- 

 sesses the property of neutralizing the venom of the rattle- 

 snake, and other serpents whose bite proves fatal in the course 

 of a few minutes, but may be used as a prophylactic, and with 

 suche fficacythat some doses of the juice of the pounded leaves, 

 properly administered, will render a person invulnerable to the 

 bite of these reptiles. This plant was transported to Marti- 

 nique in 181 4, and there it was studied by M. Leguevel, who 

 has described its botanical characters. He mentions several 

 facts attested by persons of ci'edit, and by the local authorities, 

 which prove that persons bitten by the most venomous ser- 

 pents have by the juice of the Guaco been saved fi'om any ill 

 consequences. 



FEEDING OF ENGINE BOILERS. 



Thomas Hall, engine man to the Glasgow Water Company, 

 having remarked the waste of fire, when a steam engine stops 

 working, has, instead of letting a constant supply of water into 

 the boiler to compensate for the loss, recommended, that at 

 each time the engine is stopped, water to the depth of eighteen 

 inches above its usnal level be poured in, by which, when the 

 working is resumed, there is a sufficient supply of hot water, 

 the steam is ready the moment it is required, and no increase 

 of fuel to heat recently introduced fluid is necessary. He has 

 himself put this method into practice, and it promises to be the 

 means of a great saving. — Liverjiool Advertiser. 



CIRCl'LATION 



