Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 301 



The last fourth of the water of hydration goes off very slowly, if 

 the heat be not raised to nearly 400° or 570° F. ; at 257° to 393° F. 

 mere traces of water are separated in several hours. This resistance 

 is unquestionably very favourable to the calcination of plaster intended 

 for buildings; it prevents its complete dehydration, even at a some- 

 what higher temperature. 



M. Millou has also observed that anhydrates which contain some 

 hundredths of water, lose it in fractional quantities ; one specimen 

 lost 3-65 per cent, of water. The first loss of 2-89 per cent, occurred 

 at 221° F.; the remainder, or 0-76 per cent, of water, required a 

 higher temperature for its expulsion. On examining the anhydrate 

 with a glass, opake portions were visible, which were small crystals 

 of the trapezoidal variety of sulphate of lime, and were evidently 

 formed by the anhydrate liaving absorbed moisture from the atmo- 

 sphere. — Ann. de Chim. et de Phys., Fevrier 1847. 



COFFEE AS AN ANTIDOTE TO ACETATE OF MORPHIA. 



An invalid took at one dose ten grains and nearly eight-tenths of 

 acetate of morphia; thirty grains of emetic tartar were exhibited 

 without occasioning vomiting ; after a lapse of three hours, and not 

 till then, and when the patient was perfectly comatose, a strong in- 

 fusion of coffee with the grounds was given. In the course of twelve 

 hours the invalid took about II5 ounces of coffee ; the coma ceased 

 and he recovered. 



This fact proves, among a hundred others, that even in the worst 

 cases of poisoning, the medical man should never despair of the re- 

 covery of his patient. In the above- described case, in spite of a very 

 strong dose of poison, and notwithstanding the absence of all assist- 

 ance during three entire houi's, and although it was impossible to 

 evacuate any portion of the morphia, the patient recovered. If a 

 similar accident should again occur ,vomiting ought to be immediately 

 attempted ; if this fail the stomach-pump should be employed, 

 and then concentrated coffee should be administered. — Joitrn. de 

 Pharm. et de Ch., Fevrier 1847. 



ON THE FORMATION OF CYLINDRICAL MASSES OF SNOW IN 



ORKNEY. 



To Richard Taylor, Esq. 



Sandwick Manse by Stroniness, Feb. 11, 1847. 



My dear Sir, — A curious phrenomenon in this parish has asto- 

 nished and perplexed all, and filled the superstitious with no small 

 degree of consternation. Since the Gth inst. we have had hail- or 

 snow-showers, on the 9tli snow-drift, and yesterday a slight thaw 

 with frost again in the evening. 



During the night a heavy fall of snow took place which covered 

 the plain to the depth of several inches. Upon this jjure carj)et there 

 rest tliousands of large masses of snow which contrast strangely with 

 its smooth surface. A solitary mass may be seen in a field, but in 

 general they occur in patches from one acre to a hundred in extent, 

 while the clusters may be half a mile asunder, and not one mass to 



