1824.] Scientific Intelligence. 75 



copper and tin, by a chemical operation, we shall be at a loss, either to 

 ascertain their origin, or to account for their wide dispersion. Such 

 reliques, as it has been proved, are found alike in Egypt and in Greece, 

 in Great Britain, and in Ireland. To this it may be added, that the 

 most ancient bronze coins of India (of which I have lately analyzed 

 some that were found near the Byzantium of Larice, upon the Baryga- 

 zenus Sinus), consist of a similar alloy ; and I have reason to suspect 

 that the bronze idols of Tahtary, and of China, will, upon a chemical 

 examination, be found to contain the same ingredients." 



III. Parhelia, 8$c. 



The following is an account of parhelia and other phenomena 

 observed at Darlington, in the county of Durham, oa the 30th of Oct. 

 1823. 



The writer saw it first at ten minutes past twelve. 



In a line with the sun, and equidistant from it, were two bright 

 spots coloured like the rainbow, from one of which came a stream of 

 light in a horizontal direction. These spots appeared to be the ter- 

 mination of a bright semicircle, having the sun for its centre, and 

 arching upwards. The most surprising part of the sight was another 

 arc diverging contrarywise, having the same or a larger radius, and 

 joining the other at the back, or outer side. The most beautiful part 

 of the sight was another double arc, just like the one I have described, 

 in or near the zenith ; very bright, and having all the colours of the 

 rainbow. The phenomenon, varying only in the degree of brightness, 

 continued for three-quarters of an hour, and one of the spots remained 

 ten minutes longer. 



The sky was nearly or quite cloudless, and very misty ; the wind 

 due north. Light clouds soon made their appearance after the arcs 

 disappeared. 



A letter from the same observer, dated Nov. 17, 1823, gives further 

 particulars, viz. 



The two parhelia appeared on the external margin of the prismatic 

 semicircle, at the two extremities of its horizontal diameter. The 

 brighter one lasted the longest. The colours were not very well 

 defined; yellow predominated. The arcs nearest the sun had the 

 least of colour in them, being scarcely more than bright or luminous 

 appearances ; the more distant ones had a good deal of colour. 



I also observed, which I think I did not before mention, about 90° 

 from the sun, and about its altitude, a large faintly bright spot, and a 

 light streak from it in a horizontal direction, both quite colourless : 

 this was visible nearly as long as the rest of the phenomenon. 



It would be interesting to know over what extent of country the 

 phenomenon presented the same appearance. In some parts it might, 

 perhaps, appear more perfect. 



IV. Fffect of Heat in lessening the Cohesive Force of Iron. 



A bar of malleable iron, three feet in length, and one inch square, 

 was heated to 212°, and the machine for measuring its flexure being in 

 readiness, so that a weight of ;>00 lbs. could be instantly let down upon 

 the bar; while at the same time the observer adjusted the index to 

 zero. These operations having been effected in a close and warm 



