152 Intelligence and MisccUancom Articles. 



ing series in the antediluvian creation, we have the following 

 numbers : 



Testaceous Mollusca of the pre- 

 sent world, ascertained from the 

 Index Tcstaceologicus of Mr. 

 Wood, last edition .... 



Species of British fossil shells, 

 heretofore described, dispersed 

 throughout the entire range of 

 the formations 



Simple Bivalves and Multilocular 

 Univalves. Multivalves. Univalves. 



Species. 



1961 



401 



Species. 



874 



634 



Species. 



58 



230 



Species. 



2893 



1265 



In the aggregates thus exhibited, there is an apparent want of con- 

 formity in the relative proportions of each class. This wholly arises 

 from the extinct genera of the ancient strata ; for, on making the 

 comparison between the recent series and those of the latest group 

 of deposits, no such difference will be perceived. On the contrary, a 

 considerable agreement between the proportions of existing species 

 and the several classes of fossil shells in the tertiary beds prevails j 

 the average increase of numbers being about sevenfold. 



If we follow the investigation further, we may observe that the fossil 

 multilocular and complicated Testacea, which characterize the oldest 

 formations, and decidedly preponderate in that end of the series, form 

 one-fifth part of the entire catalogue j but, amongst the recent shells, 

 this class constitutes less than a fortieth part, and in the tertiary series 

 only a fiftieth part. 



The conclusion to be drawn from a summary of facts more nume- 

 rous, and on a more extended scale than, until recently, has been 

 attainable in this department of natural history, is, that in proportion 

 as we descend the vast series of deposits that overspread this portion 

 of the earth, so do we recede, step by step, from the circle of existing 

 organized beings, and from the phaenomena attendant on their struc- 

 ture, their habits, and their adaptations. 



NEW INVENTION fOR PROPELLING SHIPS, &C. 



Mr. Charles A. Orth, of Charles-street, Hatton Garden, No, 12, 

 requests us to state,' that after the labour of five years he has suc- 

 ceeded in rendering fully effective a new method of propelling ves- 

 sels of all descriptions against wind and tide. The power is ob- 

 tained by the application of weighi. the mechanism is very simple, 

 and it affords any horse-power acquired. Mr. Orth wishes to con- 

 fer upon the subject with any gentleman who may be interested in 

 the improvement of mechanical navigation. 



BROMINE AND BROMIDE OF POTASSIUM. 



These curious substances, which we believe have not been hi- 

 therto prepared in this country, have been imported for sale by 

 Messrs. Allen and Co. Plough-court, Lombard-street. We need, 

 iperhaps, scarcely add our opinion that the quality of the articles 

 n question may be fully depended upon. — Edit. 



