214 Miscellanies. 



part of Russia. The emperor loaded him with honors and gave him 

 every faciUty for travelling to any part of his vast empire."* We un- 

 derstand that a, canal was cut for his accommodation and that of M. Ver- 

 neuil, his companion. 



19. Carburetled Hydrogen encased in spheres of Carhonate of Lime. 

 — Extract of a letter to the Junior Editor, dated Boston, Sept. 22, 1841. 



My dear Sir — A short time since my attention was attracted by a 

 few small white particles which had collected on some gas-light burners, 

 and which on examination I was much surprised to find were linnie. 

 The burners were more than a mile from the works, and I was satisfied 

 it could have proceeded only from the purifyers, which contain lime. 

 Pursuing the enquiry, I have discovered a great number of hollow 

 spherical bodies, formed of carbonate of lime, and filled with carbu- 

 retted hydrogen. They are from ^V^ii to gV^h of an inch in diameter, 

 and, the crust or shell being thin, they are easily conveyed, by the 

 current of gas flowing through the pipes, even to burners in chambers 

 more than a mile distant. Yours, truly, John H. Blake. 



20. Society of Northern Antiquaries. — Extract of a letter from Prof. 

 Charles C. Rafn, Secretary of the Royal Society of Northern Antiqua- 

 ries, to Dr. Jacob Porter, of Plainfield, Massachusetts, dated Copenha- 

 gen, May 19, 1840. 



" Are Frode and Ssemund Frode are the first, we know, who, during 

 the latter half of the eleventh and beginning of the twelfth century, 

 exerted themselves for the preservation and promotion of the old Da- 

 nish literature. After them, in the subsequent centuries, follow a series 

 of meritorious individuals, in whose footsteps we are now treading, 

 making strenvxous efforts in the same direction, and for the attainment 

 of the same end. Through the combined exertions of active men, we 

 have the satisfaction of seeing this noble literature by degrees awaken 

 a greater interest, and acquire more numerous cultivators in both hemi- 

 spheres. It rejoices us that you are inclined to take an active share 

 in such exertions." 



21. Barometrical Observations made to ascertain the Level of the 

 Dead Sea.f 



TO PROFESSOR SILLIMAN. 



Sir — Thinking the following observations, made to ascertain the level 

 of the Dead Sea, might be interesting to you, I take the liberty to for- 

 ward the same. They were made by Sir David Wilkie, W. Woodburn, 



* Letter from Dr. Mantell to the Senior Editor, dated Nov. 9, 1841, near London. 



t This interesting communication has come to our hands just at tlie moment of 



closing the present number, or it should have been placed among our articles. — Eds. 



