Calligraphy. 377 
affect the same alcalies dissolved in water. This phenom- 
enon. is owing to the formation of a particular acid by the 
reaction of the carburet and alcohol, promoted by the al- 
cali. ey ee teh : 
The new acid contains sulphur, carbon, and hydrogene. 
It is probable that the two first perform the same function 
in this combination, that cyanogen does in the hydro-cya- 
nie acid, and that they unite in a different proportion from 
that in which they are combined in common carburet of 
sulphur. Prof. Z. bas given the name of Xanthogene, 
(from gavéos, yellow, and yewvaw,) to this compound radical, 
because it forms combinations of a yellow color with some 
of the meta!s ; and he has named the new compound, the 
hydroxanthic acid. At commmon temperatures it has the 
appearance of a colourless, translucid oil. It is heavier than 
water, and does not combine with it. — 
7. Calligraphy.—M. LeRoi has contrived a new and 
very simple method for teaching the art of writings A thin 
and perfectly transparent plate of horn, of the usual size of 
a leaf of paper, has the polish removed from one of its 
sides. When laid upon the copy the hand of a child easily 
traces the letters upon the unpolished side, which neither 
absorbs the ink nor allows it.to spread. _When the whole 
late is written over, the ink is washed off with water, and 
s ready for a new exercise. is the é which is 
not liable to break, may serve indefinitely, and by this 
means e a great economy of paper—a consideration 
not to be neglected. Several analogous methods have 
been adopted both in England and France. Oiled paper, 
glass, a machine for guiding the pupil’s hand, &e., have 
been used, but it is evident that the method of M. Rot 
has none of their imperfections. The minister of the inte- 
rior, who has witnessed the success obtained by this inven- 
tion, has rewarded the author ; and the societies of encour- 
agement, and of elementary instruction, as well asthe wrie 
ting academy, have expressed their approbation of this new 
process, Mothers may teach their children to write in the 
absence of the master, or even dispense with his attendance 
by the adoption of the horn. 
Vou. VIL_—No, 2. 
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