Miscellaneous Intelligence. 431 
of brick, around which the heat of an anthracite fire is conducted both 
above and below. ‘These ovens are very low but of large superficial 
heat is raised to full redness and so managed as to hottest on the 
upper surface of the charge. Reduction of the zine is probably 
effected by the action of the hot carbon, but the metal is immediately 
burned by. the atmospheric oxygen drawn in by the mechanical padiece 
of the blower before named. the volatile adie of this chem 
cal action are drawn shitough the ae tubes and_ partly delivered on 
capacious sacks of closely woven muslin suspended in well ventila ted 
bon. When the best resulis are obtained the ore yields half its weight 
of oxyd. This oxyd is never quite pure, asa small ta 2 of dust 
and foreign materials are drawn in with the current of a Dissolved 
in acetic acid this residue remains on the filler and saeaia area car- 
bonate of zinc may be precipitated from the acetate. Che 
e New Jersey Zinc Co. are at present manufacturing about _— 
of which are “usually i in operation at the same time, The ashonill 
metallic iron. 
2. Thoughts on Telegraphic Communications Twenty years ago; 
(communicated for this Journal by Mr. D. A. Weuts.)—In 4 Hon. 
tracing the ae rom first. communications made by torches at ne 
siege of Troy, until the date of apie address. In conclusion he makes 
the following curious reflections and meeeridowss which all must ac- 
knowledge to border very closely upon the prophet 
But the application of the art to other subjects wil gone follow 
the progress of those rapid yah Ws which are believed to be 
characteristics of the present uy: 
