Miscellaneous Intelligence. 305 
other by moistened hands, and on all contracting simultaneously by the 
right, or the left arm, they formed as it were, a circuit of increased elec- 
tromotive power. The effect on the needle was evident, and it was op- 
posite according as the right or left arm was contracted: the direction 
of the current was always from the hand to the shoulder. _ It is essential 
that the muscular contraction should be increased or at least continued 
until the needle begins to return and then suddenly discontinued. The 
greatest deflection amounted to ten or twelve degrees. 
- Influence of boracic acid in Vitrification, (Comptes Rend., Oct. 
22, 1849; Phil. Mag., Dec., 1849.)—MM. Mags and Ciemanpor have 
studied the effect of boracic acid in the manufacture of glass, and con- 
clude that before long this material will be considered essential to 
the best glass for optical purposes. They have formed the glasses 
consisting of the borosilicate of potash and lime—of potash and zinc— 
of potash and barytes—of soda and zinc. These borosilicates are re- 
markable for their transparency and hardness. 
OBITUARY. 
He was educated at Harvard Universit 
tion, he prosecuted his professional studies under the instruction of Dr. 
George C. Shattuck, an eminent practitioner in this city, and was grad- 
uated Doctor in Medicine on the 25th of August, 18 
e was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and 
Sciences on the 14th of November, 1838. 
In August, 1841, he received the degree of Master of Arts from 
Harvard University. 
e was one of the original members of the Boston Society of Natural 
History, and filled successively the offices of Curator in Mineralogy 
and of Recording Secretary for several years. 
In October, 1844, he was married to Miss Eleanor Allen, daughter 
of Frederic Allen, Esq., of Gardiner, Maine. —__ Sapa: 
y was a successful practitioner of medicine, and occupied his 
d in the cultivation of the 
Szcoyn Serres, Vol. LX, No. 26.—March, 1850. 39 
