1819.] Scientific Intelligence. 473 



VIII. Boracic Acid in Tuscany. 



Mineralogists have been for some time aware of the existence 

 of boracic acid in solution in certain lakes of Tuscany. M. Ro- 

 biquet informs us (Journal de Pharmacie, 1819, p. 261) that he 

 was told by M. Dubrouzet, one of the proprietors of the lakes of 

 Cherchaio, that he obtained about two per cent, of the acid from 

 the waters subjected to evaporation. M. Robiquet was offered 

 any quantity of this acid delivered in Paris at the price of three 

 francs the kilogramme. It would appear that considerable quan- 

 tities of it had been sent to Paris ; but no purchasers have 

 hitherto presented themselves. 



From the trials made by M. Robiquet with this acid, we learn 

 that it is in small scales, of a greyish colour, its taste is slightly 

 bitter. Its solution in water reddens litmus ; it is not precipi- 

 tated by nitrate of silver, nor oxalate of ammonia ; but strongly 

 by muriate of barytes. It contains, therefore, an alkaline sul- 

 phate mixed with it. When dissolved in water, it left an 

 insoluble residue on which the mineral acids had no action. It 

 was composed of different earthy bodies mixed with a little oxide 

 of copper. 



M. Robiquet suggests the propriety of adding the requisite 

 quantity of soda to convert this acid into borax ; and if any 

 confidence can be put in the calculations which he makes, the 

 speculation would be attended with considerable profit. 



IX. Sagacity of a Newfoundland Dog. 



I am tempted to copy the following anecdote of a Newfound- 

 land dog from Anspach's History of the Island of Newfoundland, 

 just published. I have seen the story before ; but shall not 

 attempt to determine whether the original relator of the story, 

 or Anspach, be the authentic account ; or whether the same 

 thing may not have happened with two different dogs. 



" The last quadruped that we shall mention under this head, 

 though very far from being the least in worth, is the Newfound- 

 land dog, a valuable and faithful friend to man, and an implacable 

 enemy to sheep. When bom or reared from an early age under 

 the roof of man, this dog is the most useful animal in the island 

 as a domestic. He answers some of the essential purposes of a 

 horse, is docile, capable of strong attachment, and easy to please 

 in the quality of his food ; he will live upon scraps of boiled fish, 

 whether salted or fresh, and on boiled potatoes and cabbage ; 

 but, if hungry, he will not scruple to steal a salmon, or a piece 

 of raw salt pork from the tub in which they have been left to 

 steep ; he is likewise fond of poultry of the larger kind ; but, as 

 a beverage, nothing is equal in his estimation to the blood of 

 sheep. The author had purchased a puppy of the true breed, 

 which had been brought from the northward of the island to 

 Harbour-Grace. This puppy grew up to the size of a small 

 donkey, as strong and fit for hard work, as he was tractable and 

 gentle, even with the children of the family, of whom he seemed 



