84 Scientific Intelligence. (Jan. 
If the writer of that letter had condescended to direct his attention 
to the article Oxymuriatic Actp, in the Cyclopedia, he would 
have found ample satisfaction on the subject of his correspondence. 
I shall content myself with referring him and the public to that 
article, without any further remark. 
Iremain, Sir, with great respect, your obedient Servant, 
A. Rexs. 
WI. New Method of preserving Meat. 
M. Salmon Mauget, a French gentleman at presentin London, 
has invented anew method of preserving meat. He makes the 
joint of meat undergo a certain process, which he conceals. This 
prevents putrefaction from taking place, after which the piece of 
meat may be hung upin the kitchen and gradually dried. 
VII. Gunpowder. 
"A new mode of manufacturing gunpowder has been invented in 
France, we believe by M. Champy, who is at present in this 
country. The grains are spherical, of the size of swan-shot, well 
glazed, and composed of concentric coats. The advantages which 
it possesses over common gunpowder are that the manufacture of it 
is much cheaper, and that it burns at least six times more rapidly 
than common powder. A committee of the Institute was appointed 
by Louis XVIII. to examine this powder, before Bonaparte landed 
from Elba. They gave a favourable report concerning it. The 
mode of making this powder has not been made public. 
VIM. Accidents from Scating. 
Scarcely a winter passes over without one or more fatal accidents 
happening from scating in St. James’s Park, when the sheet of 
water in the middle of it is covered with ice. When a person has 
the misfortune to fall into the water, by the breaking of the ice, it 
is hardly possible to give him any assistance. Whoever attempted 
it, would be almost sure to share his fate ; so that in such eases, the 
unhappy young man is drowned, though surrounded by a crowd of 
friends and acquaintances, each anxious for his safety. It is rather 
surprising, that no precautions have been taken to prevent the futal 
effects of falling through the ice in this place. Ifa small light 
boat were placed by the side of the water, it would be possible, by 
means Of it, to save the life of the person who had fallen into the 
water, There isa still cheaper and simpler method which, I con- 
ceive, would be sufficient. If a rope were at hand, long enough 
to extend across the sheet of water, with a weight attached to it, it 
might be thrown to the person who had fallen through the ice ; he 
would of course catch hold of it, and might be drawn out, Two 
or three such ropes should be. placed at convenient distances along 
the lake, so as always to have one near at hand, at what place so- 
ever the scater falls in. 
IX. Dew. 
The phenomena of dew have been explained in so satisfactory a 
