ELECTEICAL SCIENCE. 159 



cable, rock weed, and sea animalcules adhering to and surrounding it in many 

 places, showing that it had been suspended clear of the bottom. 



" The recovered cable varied in condition very much, and what is most impor- 

 tant is, that even those portions which came out of the black mud were so 

 perished in numerous patches that the outer covering parted on board during 

 the process of hauling in, and but for the dexterity and courage of the men in 

 seizing hold of it beyond the break, where the iron wires stuck out like bunches 

 of highly sharpened needle points, we should not have known so much of its con- 

 dition. In a word, it was evidently sometimes embedded in mud, sometimes on 

 small stone3, sometimes half embedded, and sometimes wholly exposed over 

 rocks, as was apparent from the condition of the outer covering. The iron wires 

 in many places often appeared sound, but on minute inspection, were found 

 eaten away and rotten; the sewing was also decayed. In some places the iron 

 wires were coated with metallic copper, aud much eaten, they having most pro- 

 bably rested upon copper ore, for there are veins of it in Trinity Bay. The 

 futta-pcrcha and copper wire are, however, in as good condition as when laid 

 own. The general ragged, precipitous, and rocky character of the surrounding 

 land evidently extends below the surface of the water ; the unevenness of our 

 soundings and condition of the cable indicate this plainly. 



"'We accordingly decided upon leaving the neighbourhood of Bull's Island alto- 

 gether, as the cable in its present state at that part of the Bay will not repay the 

 cost of recovery. We agreed simultaneously to attempt to raise the cable oft' 

 Heart's Content, aud ascertain its condition there, this being the most promising 

 part of the Bay from the information we have been able to collect. Accordingly 

 on the 1st of July we sailed to New Perlican, and grapnelled for the cable in a 

 smooth sea. We hooked in 143 fathoms water in a straight line joining the north 



Eoint of St. John's Harbour, and the south point of New Perlican, at a distance 

 •om the latter of about 6 nauts. The cable was during the day hooked at least 

 four times — we believe more. It sometimes lifted off the ground before parting 

 as much as 40 fathoms, sometimes only 15 ; in no instance did it come near the 

 surface of the water. On two occasions the iron strands of the cable left most 

 unmistakeable impressions on the grapnel, and iron rust, resembling that usually 

 found on the cable, adhered to its claws. The bottom consisted of green mud 

 and light-coloured clay, the latter very compact, and its consistency not much 

 unlike the blue clay of London ; some part 3 of the bottom were of stone. Those 

 portions of the recovered cable that were wrapped with tarred yarn were found, 

 the tar and hemp having preserved the iron wires bright and free from rust. 

 This will be furt tier reported on when the pieces of recovered cable have been 

 more closely examined. It is with deep regret we have to inform you that it has 

 been necessary to abandon the cable." 



The report is signed by Mr. Varley and Captain Kell. 



INDICATIONS OF VACUA. 



A paper "On Vacua, as Indicated by the Mercurial Syphon-gauge 

 and the Electrical Discharge" has been read at the Royal Society, 

 by Mr. J. P. Gassiot, h'.R.S. The following is an abstract : — 



That the varied condition of the stratified electrical discharge is 

 due to the relative but always imperfect condition of the vacuum 

 through wliicli it is passed, is exemplified by the changes which take 

 place in the form of the striae while the potash is heated in a car- 

 bonic acid vacuum-tube. In order, if possible, to measure the pres- 

 sure of the vapour, Mr. Gassiot had a carefully- prepared siphon 

 mercurial gauge sealed into a tube 15 inches long, at an equal dis- 

 tance between the two wires. This tube was charged with carbonic 

 acid. When exhausted by the air-pump and sealed, it showed a 

 pressure indicated by about 0'5 inch difference in the level of the 

 mercury ; the potash was then heated ; the mercury gradually fell 

 until it became perfectly level. Dr. Andrews (Philonoj'hical Maga- 



