376 Intelligence and Miscellanies. 
composition or violence, and thus obtained for a ballast stone, 
The surface of the chalcedony is somewhat clouded, as it 
has been long subjected to-the action of sea water. 
16. Uniform nomenclature in Botany.—A correspondent 
who writes from Georgia,, under date of February 26, sug- 
gests, that a Convention be called of one person or more, 
from each State Medical School, or Botanical Society, in 
the United States, to some central place ; and that they adopt, 
after the manner of the United States’ Pharmacopeia, a no- 
menclature of known plants, which shall be uniform. 
Our correspondent adds—The proceeds of such a work 
might defray the contingent expenses, and the societies might 
pay that of their own delegates ; and to this convention may 
be united all literary gentlemen friendly to the cause. 
It is supposed that it would “ throw much light” on the 
science, by convening members from the different parts of 
the Union, who may be requested to bring all rare specimens 
or drawings of plants with which they are acquainted, and 
a liberal intercourse on the interests of science might be 
cultivated. ‘ 
Il. Hydrogenia, - 
ILL. Nitrogenia, 
IV. Oxygenia, 
V. Hydroxygenia—oxygen and hydrogen being in 
them in the proportion to form water. 
onwell has added a number of new vegetable alka- 
line principles, among which are Quassa, Serpentara, Uo- 
ia, Gentia, Gallia, Angusturia, Quercia, gc. It would 
appear that Dr. Conwell has very materially simplified the 
processes by which such principles are obtained, and his re- 
searches tend to confirm the opinion, that the active powers 
of medicinal and poisonous plants, generally reside in some 
principle which is capable of being isolated, and which is in 
many instances so far alkaline, that it is capable of combin- 
ing with acids and forming peculiar saline compounds. 
