Y66 Transactions of the American Institute. 



perennials. These facts tend to prove that organisms of the 

 northern latitudes are more hardy than those nearer the Equator. 



PERUVIAN BARK IN INDIA. 



The cinchona succiruba has been completely naturalized in India. 

 It attains a height of fifteen feet in three years, and its bark is rich 

 in quinine. It thrives well only at an altitude of from 4,000 to 

 5,000 feet above the level of the sea; the bark of that grown in 

 lower regions is much poorer. A recent discovery renders it 

 probable that the tree may be groAvn with advantage at an altitude 

 of above 2,300 feet, where the cotfee plantations are situated. If 

 the trunk of the tree be enveloped in moss for about a year and a 

 half its bark will become excessively thick, and much richer in the 

 alkaloid principle. Two other varieties, generally sold under the 

 name of cinchona pitayo, grow at an altitude of nearly 6,000 feet. 

 These contain about 11.35 per cent of the alkaloid principle, nearly 

 eix per cent of which is quinine. 



PROPOSED CANAL IMPROVEMENT. 



The Echo de la Dordogne affirms that the French Government 

 contemplates a new and vast project of internal improvement. 

 This is to enlarge the Canal du Midi, sometimes known as the Canal 

 of the Two Sejis, because it unites the Atlantic and Mediterranean. 

 At present it joins with the river Garonne at Toulouse, and reaches 

 the Mediterranean near Agde; and the Garonne, running across 

 France and emptying itself at Bordeaux, completes the chain of 

 communication. The present canal is not adapted for large vessels, 

 and has, in the course of 150 miles, more than fifty locks; the river 

 portion of the communication can be enlarged with less diffici^lty. 

 In order to fill the canal when enlarged, it is proposed to intercept 

 the numerous streams on the high Pyrenees and the mountains of 

 Avergne, and imprison the M'aters in large reservoirs, to be used 

 when needed in the canal. This great improvement will give the 

 French fleet access to the MediteiTanean without passing under the 

 guns of Gibraltar. 



NEW PROPERTIES OF ALUMINUM OR ALUMINIUM ' 



Dr. Henry "Wurtz, of New York, has discovered that aluminum 

 will absorb mercury, as lead does, and that in this condition it will 

 oxidize so rapidly as to glow and burn the hand. Aluminum foil 

 rubbed into quick silver, on exposure to common air takes fire, and 

 is rapidly consumed, the resulting product being hydrate of alumina. 



