294 Miscellaneous Intelligence. 
- Jour., [2] xi, 352,) considered a tri-titanate of magnesia. Tn 
e reéxamination of American minerals, in which Mr. Brush and my- 
self are engaged, this mineral came up in turn for examination, and to 
our amazement, it is found ie contain a — amount of boracic acid, 
doubtless upwards of 20 pr. ct. A ximative analysis are already 
made, but owing to the difficulty of Sica it of sufficient quantity in 
a perfect state of purity, its final examination may be delayed for some 
time ; and it is for that reason thought advisable to publish the present 
note on the subject. It is essentially a borotitanate of magnesia an 
iron; the metallic acid, however, has some anomalies about it, not yet 
cleared up. This is the first borotitanate known, and as stich highly 
interesting, the smallest portion of it, when acted on with sulphuric acid, 
will ae the strongest indication of the presence of boracic acid. 
6. Su one pg hard (Northern Journal, Lowville, N. Y., 
March 16, 1853.)—At Lowville, N. Y., and in its vicinity, early 0 on the 
— of Saturday, deep 2and3o0 ae ” on the 12th of March, 
there a shock like an earthquake. It commenced with a heavy 
distant rupabling sound, apparently beneath, ace gradually increased, 
and at its maximum broke out in a gran explosion, louder than the loud- 
est thunder. There were stent reports, but it seer and ended with 
the same heavy rumbling with which it begun. Houses were shaken 
so that dishes and _ were displaced, ae the bell of the church 
struck nine or ten tim e academy bell also rung, although less 
igh. One aheiaing a was s thrown down. . The people were all aroused 
and many rushed to the streets. The editors of the paper from which 
we cite,.ask, ‘‘ Was it an earthquake; or a concussion of the atmos- 
phere, produced by some meteor or aerolite ?” and then gives reasons 
for believing it an actual earthquake, viz: the subterranean character 
of the sound, the motion of the 2 the absence of any light or flash, 
and no sudden barometric chan 
The direction is stated at at want to west, or the reverse. It was 
felt at Turin and Copenhagen quite heavy, at Aes s heavy, at Water- 
town slight, at Remsen, Trenton, and Holland Scion: not at all. The 
wind was southeast. The preceding day had been clear, but at 10 in 
the evening of Friday, the sky became overcast, and unusual darkness 
prevailed, which continued till the time of the occurrence. The ther- 
mometer and barometer gave the following observations: 
Thermometer. Att. Thermometer. Barometer. 
Friday, 6 a. m. 30-0 45 0 29-252 
2 P.M. 39:5 53:0 29°205 
10 p. m. 27-0 60-0 29:220 
Saturd’y 2-30 a. mM. time of shock 34-0 52-5 29-140 
6 a. M. 32-5 478 29:095 
2 P.M. 40°5 57-0 28:975 
Observations on Atmospheric arate ; by Lieut. M. F. Macey, 
( ma, Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., vi, p. 313.)—Lieut. M. F. Maury; 
through Dr. Le Conte, the ‘Carredbontiag Secretary, presented an en- 
graved diagram, repre nting a “ vertical section of the basin of t 
Atlantic,” about the verattels of 39° and 40° north latitude, the data for 
which drawing are furnished by the deep sea soundings, taken by 
officers of the U.S. Navy, in obedience to an order from the Navy 
