440 Miscellaneous Intelligence. 
2. Manufacture of Gas for illumination, from Water.—M. Jobard 
has succeeded in giving to hydrogen a high illuminating power; the 
gas burns with a white and brilliant flame equal to thirty six candles of 
six to the pound. 
This gas was charged with carbon by passing it seca a cylinder 
containing about two quarts of oil of gas tar; but as the gas deposited 
its mechanically suspended carbon, M. Jobard caused hydrogen gas ob-: 
tained by the distillation (decomposition?) of water to take up hydro- 
carburets produced by the distillation of coal gas at the moment of for- 
mation : twice or thrice as much gas could be obtained as by the ordi- 
nary method, and the gas needed no purifying, especially when fish 
or other oils were employed. 
The combined gases contain carburets of hydrogen, 57; snitie of 
of carbon, 28 ; and free hydrogen, 15. One hundred and eleven feet 
of gas were produced from every pound of oil 
3. Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.—The following 
persons constitute the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. 
The Vice President of the United States. The Chief Justice of the 
United States. The Mayor of the city of Washington. Messrs. Evans, 
Pennybacker, and Breese of the Senate. Messrs. R. D. Owen, W. J. 
Hough, H. W. Hilliard, of the House. R. Choate, Mass., G. Hawley, 
N. J., Richard Rush, Pa., William C. Preston, S. C., A. D. Bache, and 
J. G. Totten of Washington. 
Preparations are making to go on at once nth: ties erection of 
buildings, and the organization of the institution. 
4. Wollaston Medal.—The Wollaston Medal has been presented pes 
the Geological Society of London to Mr Lonsdale, well known for his 
various contributions to Paleontology, and. peeniess in the difficult de- 
partment of fossil corals. 
5. Geological Society of France ; (L’tnstitut, No. 655, July 2, 
1846, p. 252.)—This society held its annual session at Alais (Gard), on 
the 30th of August, this place being selected on account of its great 
Geological interest, as it combines the richest coal beds of France, 
mines of iron and lead, the jurassic formation and the lower creta- 
ceous. : . : 
6. Prof. Louis Agassiz.—This distinguished European naturalist ar- 
rived at Boston about the first of October. We learn with pleasure 
that he will spend several years among us, in order thoroughly to un- 
derstand our natural history. M. Desor, his companion in the glaciers 
of Switzerland, and Mr. Dinkel, the artist of his beautiful platens: are 
soon to join him in this country. 
=* Verneuil has left for Paris, but will again return after £ 
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