1824.] Scientific Notices — Miscellaneous. 397 



19. White's Floating Breaktoater. 



Among the practical and useful inventions of the present day, 

 the floating breakwater of Mr. White, for which he has received 

 a patent, promises to hold a respectable place. 



This contrivance consists of a series of square frames of tim- 

 ber, connected by mooring chains, or cables, attached to anchors 

 or blocks ; they are disposed so as to inclose either a rectilineal 

 or a curvilineal space for the reception of ships, which may ride 

 there, protected from the breaking of the sea or surf. 



These frames consist of logs of Quebec yellow pine, from 

 thirty to fifty feet long, and from eighteen to twenty inches 

 thick. The logs are bolted together so as to form a square 

 frame, consisting of two parallel frames. The separate frames 

 are connected by ropes or chain cables, secured to anchors or 

 moving blocks. The height of these frames may be increased 

 by logs, or pieces of timber, on the tops of the frames, not 

 exceeding five tiers in a vertical position, for the purpose of 

 breaking the waves more completely in places where the water 

 is violently agitated. 



The advantages of this breakwater have been actually expe- 

 rienced at Deal, and certified by some respectable persons of 

 that place. 



The inventor recommends it particularly for fishing coasts, 

 where the surge often prevents boats from putting off and land- 

 ing ; and also for bathing places, where it will always produce 

 smooth water, and protect the machines. A drawing and more 

 minute description of this invention will be found in Newton's 

 London Journal of Arts, &c. vol. vii. p. 232. — (Edin. Jour, of 

 Science.) 



20. Marobia. 



The " Marobia" is an extraordinary phenomenon, most pro- 

 bably deriving its name from Mare Ubbriaco, or Drunken Sea, as 

 its movement is apparently very inconsistent. It occurs princi- 

 pally on the southern coast of Sicily, and is generally found to 

 happen in calm water, bat is considered as the certain precursor 

 of a gale. The marobia is felt with the greatest violence at 

 Mazzara, perhaps from the contour of the coast. Its approach 

 is announced by a stillness in the atmosphere, and a lurid sky ; 

 when suddenly the water rises nearly two feet above its usual 

 level, and rushes into the creeks with amazing rapidity ; but in a 

 few minutes recedes again with equal velocity, disturbing the 

 mud, tearing up the sea weed, and occasioning noisome effluvia: 

 during its continuance the fish float quite helpless on its turbid 

 surface, and are easily taken. These rapid changes (as capri- 

 cious in their nature as those of the Euripus) generally continue 

 from thirty minutes to upwards of two hours ; and are succeeded 

 by a breeze from the southward, which quickly increases to 

 heavy gusts. Smyth's Memoir oj Sicily. — (Edin. Phil. Jour.) 



