470 Earthquake.—Canal Steam Navigation.—Iron Steam Boats. 
EARTHQUAKE AT ZANTE. 
At the time when the desolating earthquake, that oceurred in 
Zante in the end of 1820 took place, a remarkable cireum- 
stance Was observed just preceding the shock. Three or four 
minutes before, there was seen at the distance of two miles from 
the point or promontory of Geraca, which is to the S.E. of the 
island, a kind of meteor burning and almost swimming on the 
sea, and which continued luminous five or six minutes. At the 
distance from which it was seen, it seemed to be five or six feet 
in diameter. Could this he hydrogen gas emanating from some 
voleanic submarine cavern, and which issuing out of the water 
in. an aériform column, sought to come in contact with the elec- 
tricity of the atmosphere? This gas taking fire, continued to 
burn till the inflammable matter was consumed d.— Edin. Phil. 
Journ, vi. 22. 
CANAL STEAM NAVIGATION, 
With a view to the introduction of steam vesscls on canals, a 
very interesting experiment was made in the Union Canal at 
Edinburgh, on June 22, at two o’clock, with a large hoat 
28 feet long, constructed with an infernal movement upon the 
prineiple of a model invented by Mr. Wight, and exhibited to a 
General Meeting of the Highland Society of Scotland in the 
month of January last. A Committee appointed for the purpose 
by the Directors of the Highland Society attended to witness the 
experiment, and the Chairman and most of the members of the 
Union Canal Company were also present. ‘The boat had twenty- 
six persous on board; and although drawing fifteen inches of 
water, she was propelled by only four men at the rate of between 
four and five miles an hour, while the agitation of the water, 
being confined entirely to the centre of the canal, was observed 
to subside long before it reached the banks, and consequently. ob- 
viating its hitherto destructive tendency in washing them inte 
the canal.—<Svar. 
IRON STEAM BOATS, 
An iron steam boat has recently made a voyage from London 
to Rouen in 55 hours, and then proceeded to Paris. This we 
believe is the first attempt made to traverse the ocean ina 
vessel composed of any material but wood, 
The enterprise has proved decidedly successful. Thus we 
have a direct communication open between the two great capitals 
of Europe, and which is performed in a shorter time than is taken 
by the stoutest merchautman to sail to Rouen only,.—Not the 
slightest 
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