Miscellanies. 207 
tors of science in this country, through thé rector, a “ microscope and 
apparatus, value one hundred guineas ; with the following on ne. 
* Presented to Gideon Algernon Mantel, Esq. » LL. D,, F. R.S., &c. 
by his friends in Clapham and its vicinity, in testimony of their rae 
sense of his kind and effective exertions among them for the adyance- 
ment of scientific knowledge, Feb, 3, 1842.’ "—From the Lancet, (med- 
tcal journal, London.) 
4. Steam Navigation in the , Pacific —In Vol. x11, p. 358, we gave 
Some account of the success of Mr. William Wheelwright in the efforts 
made by him to establish navigation by steam along me coasts of Peru 
and Ghili. 
Letters from him to wie senior editor, dated at Guayaquil, October, 
1841, and on board the steamer Chili, December 5, 1841, furnish the 
following additional particulars. In the letter of October, he says :— 
“T now take the liberty of sending you a sample of coal from the 
isthmus of Panama, wy ich you will find bearing a remarkable resem- 
blance to that of Talea—a parcel of which I forwarded to you. We 
have not been able to discover any coal in the mining districts or rather 
the mineral districts if Peru or Chili, but the mines in Talca are every 
day improving quality, and the quantity is unlimited: in fact, the 
Suntry is nothing but a mine of coal. I have sunk a 
ive feet through a bed of sandstone, and there are 
have deterred me from continuing the work during the winter, but I 
intend resuming it im the spring. ; 
* The progress our steamers here has bee in interrupted 
' by an unfortunater accident which occurred to the Chili—she having 
struck on a | eke a has delayed her six foonths, but I 
hope in a few w to see her again at work. 
** The p: of the enterprise is no longer doubtful. The coal 
of Talca will not exceed $2 50 per ton, put on board. number of 
Passengers has be sen doubled already, and one year more will fill the 
Steamers constantly. I am waiting the arrival of one more steamer to 
— the line to Panama.” 
. The second letter we insert entire, as all the information it contains is 
¢ Steamer Chili, December 5, 1841. 
My dear Sef am exceedingly i indebted for your letter,* dated 
July 20, 1841, and for the information it contains on the subject of 
ee is ae Since vinci we have mined about 
8 fis 
2) he thi jour 
