2821.] Scientific Intelligence. 467 



paper, the " refutation " of my theory of collision, or^ rather the 

 publication of his own. I need not observe to Mr. T. that an 

 assertion thus unnecessarily and gratuitously made on the 

 works of another, in an attack of this kind, the world will 

 expect him when called on to fulfil, or unequivocally to con- 

 fess its inaccuracy. Should Mr. T. determine to support his 

 assertion, and to try his skill at philosophizing, there will be 

 no necessity for words; it will be best to proceed with the 

 subject. Any time, I assure him, he shall have my consent to 

 take for the accomplishment of his object that he pleases; and 

 he shall likewise have his choice of any of the phsenomena I 

 have explained, provided, however, he take " the greater part," 

 and those which involve mathematical laws and calculations, 

 which are alone the true test of a theory. If Mr. T. will neither 

 support, nor openly and candidly abandon his assertion, he 

 must pardon me for declining to continue the discussion, or to 

 notice any future observations he may please to make. 



I am, dear Sir, 

 Your very obedient servant, 



J. Herapath 



Article X. 



SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE, AND NOTICES OF SUBJECTS 

 CONNECTED WITH SCIENCE. 



I. Congreve Rochets. 



These destructive missiles have lately been employed with consider- 

 able effect in the whale fisheries. Capt. Scoresby, who is well known 

 in the scientific world for his observations on the polar basin, was, we 

 believe, the first to adopt this ingenious mode of capturing the 

 " monarch of the ocean." The Fame has brought home nine fish, the 

 whole of which were taken by this means. In one case, instant death 

 was produced by a single rocket; and in all cases the speed of the fash 

 was much diminished, and its power of sinking limited to three or four 

 fathoms. The peculiar value and importance of the rocket in the fash 

 eries is, that by means of it all the destructive effects of a six or even a 

 twelve pounder piece of artillery, may be given with an apparatus not 

 heavier than a musket, and with scarcely any shock or reaction on the 

 boat It appears that some of the smallest rockets employed in the 

 Fame penetrated completely through the body of the fish, so that the 

 effect of the explosion was visible on the opposite side. On the score 

 of humanity, the employment of these rockets is also very desirable, as 

 their fierce and destructive fire acting on the vitals of the animal, 

 almost instantly destroys life ; and saves the lingering tortures of the 

 harpoon, axe, and even saw, which are occasionally resorted to. 

 1 2 ll 2 



