178 Scientific Intelligence. 



were found to be the same. Observations on Venus prove also that there 

 is no irradiation in his telescope. 



13. Optical structure of ' Edingtonite. Mr Haidinger, the discoverer of 

 this new mineral, which he has described in our last Number, and which 

 has been analyzed by Dr Edward Turner, was so good as to put into my 

 hands three very minute crystals of it for the purpose of examination. It 

 has one axis of double refraction coincident with the axis of the octohedron, 

 which is its primitive form. The character of its action upon light is ne- 

 gative, like that of calcareous spar. This result affords another proof, if 

 any were wanting, of the infallibility of the optical law of primitive 

 forms. D. B. 



14. Phosphorescence of certain Fluids. The following fluids have been 

 found by Dr Brewster to be phosphorescent when poured into a cup of 

 heated iron. 



1. Albumen (white of an egg) diluted in water. 



2. Isinglass, solution of. 



3. The two preceding solutions mixed. 



4. The Saliva. 



5. Soap and Water. 



6. Solution of Bhubarb. 



7. Solution of common Salt. 



8. Solution of Nitre. 



9. Tallow. The phosphorescence of tallow may be distinctly observed 

 when a candle is put out in a dark room. 



10. Alcohol. 



11. Ether burns with a blue flame. 



12. Oil of Dill seed. 



13. Oil of Olives. 



14. Solution of Alum, very faint. 



In making these experiments, Dr BrewSter found that alcohol would 

 not inflame when poured upon a red hot iron, while ether burned with 

 great readiness. 



ELECTRICITY. 



15. Electricity produced by Evaporation. — M. Pouillet concludes, from 

 various experiments, 



Is*, That simple evaporation, whether slow or rapid, never gives signs 

 of electricity. 



2d, Alkaline solutions of soda, potash, barytes, strontia, &c. give elec- 

 tricity ; and the alkali remaining after evaporation, is positively electrifi- 

 ed. 



3d, Other solutions of salts or acids, give also electricity, and the bo- 

 dy combined with the water then becomes negatively electrical. Bull- de 

 Soc Phil. July 1825, p. 101. 



4 



