Miscellaneous Intelligence. 449 



12. California Gold. — The gold of California has been analyzed by 

 Dr. Hofman and found to consist of gold 8961, silver 10 05=99-66, the 

 loss being some copper and iron, which was not determined. 



13. Coal in Egypt. — The discovery of mineral coal in Egypt has 

 recently been made by a French civil engineer. It occurs in the vicin- 

 ity of the Nile, towards Upper Egypt. Excavations are to be made on 

 a large scale. 



14. Astronomical Journal. — The following Prospectus of a new As- 

 tronomical Journal to be established in this country has recently been 

 issued ; and we would commend the undertaking to all interested in 

 the progress of science. Astronomy has gathered the brightest laurels 

 for the nations of Europe ; and the success which has already at- 

 tended American effort may well incite us onward. The Journal 

 will necessarily be a dry one for the reader, if truly valuable; yet 

 from its importance it demands the widest encouragement and sup- 

 port. The Prospectus was drawn up by a committee of the Amer- 

 ican Association for the Advancement of Science, held at Cambridge 

 August 21, 1849, to whom the subject was submitted by Prof. J. S. 

 Hubbard. 



w An Astronomical Journal, for the publication of original researches, 

 has long been needed in the United Slates, and the want is growing 

 more urgent every day. American Astronomy demands an organ, in 

 which important investigations and observations may be published with- 

 out delay, and which may serve especially as a magazine for astro- 

 nomical researches made in this country, as a vehicle of information 

 concerning the labors of individuals, and as an exponent of the general 

 progress of science. An admirable model for such a publication is to 

 be found in the celebrated Astronomische Nachrichten of Prof. Schu- 

 macher. 



Our astronomers and mathematicians have been hitherto compelled 

 to resort to the columns of foreign journals, or to those at home which 

 are expressly designed for other purposes. The extremely valuable 

 journal of Prof. Silliman has lent them important assistance, notwith- 

 standing that this is devoted to general science, and the diffusion of 



scientific information. 



The aim of the journal now proposed is the advancement, rather 

 than the diffusion, of astronomical learning; and it is hoped that the 

 lovers of astronomy throughout the country will join in sustaining it. 

 A publication of this kind — not claiming to possess special interest for 

 the community in general — appeals for support to those lovers of truth 

 who desire to contribute their share to whatever may develop and foster 

 science in America ; and it cannot succeed without their hearty coop- 

 eration. 



The plan of the proposed journal contemplates not only researches 

 in every department of Physical, Theoretical, and Practical Astron- 

 omy, but also investigations on all subjects directly connected with 

 these, such as Pure Mathematics, Geodesy, the theory of instruments, 

 &c. ;*— to the exclusion, however, of popular articles and general spec- 

 ulations. 



It is thought best that the successive numbers of the Journal should 

 appear, not at stated periods, but irregularly, at such intervals as the 



