



Miscellaneous Intelligence. 451 



A further and important feature in this patent is the mode specified 



of preparing the carbon for electrodes, which consists in general m 



forming powder of charcoal or other suitable form of carbon into a 



paste, with melted brown sugar, pressing it into iron moulds and baking 



it in the moulds at a red heat, and afterwards in a crucible at a white 

 heat. 



For the form of light in which an ignited platinum wire or foil has 



hitherto been used, Mr. Staite claims introducing the use of iridium as 



the hardest and most refractory of the metals; but we doubt whether 



light produced by the ignition of metallic conductors can be economi- 

 cally used. 



We have not room for a description in the present number of the 

 construction of the batteries used and the materials employed in work- 

 ing them. The objects aimed at are economy, convenience, constancy 

 of action, and complete consumption of material. 



Whether Mr. Staite's labors have been entirely successful or not, 

 we cannot believe the brilliant light of the galvanic arc is to be forever 

 confined to the laboratory and lecture room of the chemist. If the 

 difficulties hitherto incident to its use can be overcome, and we see no 

 reason why they may not be, there can be little doubt that this may be 

 made the most economical as it is the most powerful source of artificial 

 light known to us. 



3. The Anniversary of the Geological Society for 1849, held in 

 London. — Among the distinguished persons present were the Archbishop 

 of Canterbury, Sir Robert Peel, the Belgian Ambassador, Sir R. I. 

 Murchison, Sir H. De la Beche, Dr. Buckland, Dean of Westminster, 

 and most of the great men of the metropolis. Sir Charles Lyell, the 

 new president, took the chair. 



The Archbishop made an admirable speech in defense of scientific 

 pursuits, and of geological researches in particular, and Sir Robert 

 Peel ably sustained similar views, — followed by Dr. Buckland ; and 

 Prof. Sedgwick poured forth a flood of unrivalled eloquence. The 

 Belgian Ambassador in capital English, with just sufficient foreign ac- 

 cent to add to its interest, gave a luminous address in praise of science, 

 and a just encomium on his own country, for having remained unmov- 

 ed in the midst of the revolutionary debacle which has swept over the 

 continent. 



Sir R. I. Murchison made a courtly speech complimentary to the 

 nobles present. Sir C. Lyell spoke with his usual good sense, and Dr. 

 Mantell as one of the Vice-presidents made a responsive address. Sir 

 H. De la Beche, has been a capital president, and his address was ex- 

 cellent. The Wollaston medai was awarded to Mr. Prestwick, for his 

 various papers on the tertiary strata of the London and Hampshire 



basin. 



Obituary. 



4. Edward Forster, Esq., Vice President of the Linnaean Society, 

 in the 81th year of his age. 



5. M. Hommaire ve Hell. — This French naturalist died at Ispahan, 

 while on a scientific mission in Persia, under the direction of the French 

 government. M. de Hell was scarcely thirty-four years of age. 





