Scientific Memoranda. 669 



States. The London and Birmingham railroad is estimated to 

 cost about £22,000 sterling a mile, or £2,500,000 for the whole 

 distance. 



The duke of Sussex. — The evening parties of his royal high- 

 ness, at Kensington palace, are attended by distinguished assem- 

 blages of rank and talent. The lord Chief Justice of the court 

 of King's Bench, the judges, the bishops, the duke of Devonshire, 

 the earl of Munster, &c. &c. But the noblemen are not more 

 conspicuous than the scientific and literary men and artists, all 

 eminent in their professions, and in the higher pursuits of intel- 

 lectual life. Objects of great interest are placed in various 

 rooms, mechanical inventions, demonstrations in natural history, 

 &c. An apparatus showing distinctly the circulation of sap in 

 plants, has attracted much attention there. 



The cause of refinement and general improvement must gain 

 by such meetings, and far beyond what appears on the mere 

 surface. Where so much knowledge, and genius, and liberality 

 come into contact, it is impossible that the result should be bar- 

 renness. 



Tapir, or Danta. — Sir Robert Ker Porter has forwarded to 

 the Zoological Society of London, a fine specimen of this animal. 

 It was brought when young and wild, under an escort, from 

 over the lofty mountains that lie between its native plains near 

 Calaboda, and the city of Caraccas. He has now had it three 

 years in a tamed state. It is difficult to take it alive in its wild 

 state when at a mature age, from its great strength and saga- 

 city. The present one is very docile. 



Sub-aquatics. — An individual was to be seen the other day in 

 the river, near Battersea, and literally in the river, for he was 

 trying an experiment of submerging himself by means of an ap- 

 paratus, and walking about at the bottom of the water. We 

 were not near enough to ascertain the exact nature of his means, 

 but they appeared to be simple and efficacious, A helmet 

 covered his head, with a zone of glass round the eyes, so that 

 every thing below is distinctly visible. Connected with this was 

 a garb which enveloped his body down to the waist, where it 

 Vol. I.— 72 



