No. 129. j 393 



rarely rain. We know that very violent winds are obstacles to 

 rain, the fall of which is ordinarily preceded by a moderate fresh 

 breeze. 



When the mercury in a barometer rises slowly and regularly, 

 it indicates generally fine weather, or perhaps a cloudy sky, but 

 commonly without rain. On the contrary, when it descends 

 regularly and for a long time, it indicates bad weather. A sudden 

 fall indicates violent wind. When the sun at setting, the air is 

 calm and the lower parts of clouds are colored a fine red, it is 

 almost a certainty that the next day will be fine, &c. 



This volume contains nearly nine hundred pages. I observe, 

 on the subject of raising pine apples, that it treats of no less than 

 thirty-one varieties. About one-half of the volume is devoted 

 to vegetables of use — the other to flowers and plants ornamental. 

 It is valuable for reference as to plants which we may desire to 

 order from Paris, &c. 



Mr. Borden, of Texas, presented specimens of his meat biscuit, 

 for which he received at the Crystal Palace a council medal, and 

 .he also produced a mince pie in which the biscuit served in place 

 of minced meat ; the members tasted of it and thought it a good 

 substitute for meat, when that cannot be obtained. Mr. Borden 

 said that his method was to take out all the kidney fat, and then, 

 by a powerful machine, cut an ox into small pieces in twelve 

 minutes, bones and all; put these into a cauldron, in plenty of 

 water, boil it about sixteen hours, skim off all the Ikt, marrow 

 and SCUD9. When this soup is well settled, evaporate it uniil it 

 resembles sugar-house syrup ; then mix wheat flour with it till 

 it resembles dough. I do not put in any salt, or any seasoning 

 whatever. If kept dry, it will keep in any climate. No insect 

 yet has touched it. Professor Playfair, at the great exhibition 

 said he would put weevils in it to try it. He analyzed it. Dr. 

 Lindley examined it carefully. A fine soup, enough for six men 

 can be made of it in fifteen minutes, out of only three ounces. It 

 supplies all the energy that meat does. 



The Secretary remarked that he had translated the report on 

 Masson's prepared vegetables, which would be a proper accom 

 paniment for Borden's meat. 



