Melaina.— Patents. — Meteorological Journal for March. 317 
Ocean, either often die away, or change their direction, before 
they arrive at Boston, from their meeting with other currents 
over the land; consequently, a less quantity of rain falls an- 
nually at Boston than at Gosport. . 
MELAINA. 
Sig. Bizio considers the black matter of the ink of the cuttles 
fish as a substance swz generis, which he calls Melaina, from 
péaas and a}. It is obtained by digesting the ink with very 
dilute nitric acid until it become yellowish, washing it well, 
and separating it by the filter; it is then to be frequently boiled 
in water, one of the washings to be a little alkalized, and finally 
with distilled water. 
The melaina is a tasteless black powder, insoluble in alco- 
hol, zther, and water while cold, but soluble in hot water; 
the solution is black. Caustic alkalies form with it a solu- 
tion even in the cold, from which the mineral acids precipitate 
it unchanged. It contains much azote. It dissolves in and 
decomposes sulphuric acid. It easily kindles at the flame of 
a candle. It has been found to succeed as a pigment, in some 
respects better than China ink.—(Gzornale di Fisica.) Dublir. 
Phil. Journ. _ 
LIST OF NEW PATENTS. 
To John Bellingham, of Norfolk-street, Strand, for im- 
provements in the construction of cooking apparatus.—Dated 
18th of April 1826.—2 months allowed to enrol specification. 
To James Rowbotham, of Great Surrey-street, Blackfriars 
Road, hat manufacturer, and Robert Lloyd, of No. 71, Strand, 
in the county of Middlesex, for a method of preparing a sub- 
stance for the purpose of being made into hats, bonnets, coats, 
and wearing apparel in general, and various other purposes.— 
18th of April.—6 months. 
Results of a Meteorological Journal for March 1826, kept at 
the Observatory of the Royal Academy, Gosport, Hants. 
General Observations. 
The first part of this month was alternately wet and dry, 
but mild for March; the latter part was dry, windy, and very 
cold. 
From the vernal equinox to the end of the month, with the 
exception of one day, the temperature of the air decreased 
considerably, with smart frosty nights; and a heavy equinoc- 
tial gale blew seven days and nights from the North and North- 
east. The 23d was a cold winter-like day, with snow from 
9 till 11 A.M.; but from the dampness of the air it was not 
adhesive 
