232 Scientijic Intelligence. [Sept. 



A bulb fed with a solution of carbonate of ammonia continued 

 healthy, and flowered well ; but the roots did not greatly elon- 

 gate. 



One hyacinth bulb was inured to repeated additions of salt 

 water till sea water was finally used : it continued to grow, but 

 was not so luxuriant as the others, 



A bulb fed with diluted pyrolignous acid did not seem mate- 

 rially affected by the new medium, and the fibres seemed to have 

 decomposed the acid matter in contact. 



Repeated renewals of the water seem to ensure health and 

 luxuriance, and more rapid growth. The probability is, that 

 there is an appropriation of the air contained diffused through 

 the water, which is in time exhausted, and, according to 

 M. Gay-Lussac, the air contained in water contains excess of 

 oxygen. 



IX. Oxidation hy Solar Light. By Mr, Murray. 

 When light is decompounded, the chemical rays which may 

 be thus insulated are twofold ; namely, oxidating and hydrogen- 

 ating. I was much struck with the eftects induced by the solar 

 rays on the iron railing which is on the summit of the leaning 

 tower of Fisa, in Tuscany. Where exposed to the action of the 

 solar influence, it is highly oxidated, while such parts as are from 

 the inclination of the tower, &c. not so exposed, have undergone 

 little alteration. 



X. Lute. By Mr. Murray. 



In the vicinity of Naples I found that the Neapolitans use a 

 cement for earthenware and other pipes composed of powdered 

 pumice and quicklime, and was assured it formed a most excel- 

 lent lute. 



I examined with some care the magnificent ruins of antient 

 Rome. The mortar seems in almost all cases composed of quick- 

 lime and pozzolana, and this last is a congeries of volcanic 

 scoriae, the chief part of which is pumice stone. Vitruvius not 

 only adverts to pozzolana as having been employed in the mortar 

 of ancient edifices, but points out its property of hardening under 

 water. He even names its locahty. It was obtained near the 

 " Bagno di Nerone," in the Bay of Baia. To this ingredient 

 most probably are to be attributed the hardness and durability 

 of the mortar of the ancients. 



XI. Solubility of Phosphorus in Water. By Mr. Murray. 



I believe it has not been considered that phosphorus is solu- 

 ble in water, and yet we well know that it communicates to that 

 fluid its pecvdiar odour, and renders it poisonous to such animals 

 as drink it, especially when the phosphorus has remained in it 

 for some time. 



If phosphorus, however, be allowed to rest for some days in 



