64 British Association for the Advancement of Science. 



its power than Fawcett's, and more ingenious in its contrivances 

 and adaptations, though the works are not on so large a scale. 

 With these we may mention Logan's chain-cable manufactory. 

 In this, the most remarkable thing is, the apparent simplicity of 

 the contrivances. Iron bars, heated, are twisted into links over 

 double cylinders, and each link, as formed, is cut off by powerful 

 shears. A bar crosses the middle of every link ; this is formed 

 of cast metal, and is inserted cold, when the link is welded into 

 the chain. A slight blow is sufficient to secure the bar, for the 

 link contracts as it cools down from welding heat. Each chain, 

 when finished, is subjected to a severe trial ; the chain is ex- 

 posed, by means of a lever working on a centre, to a strain of 

 more than twenty tons. Repeated fractures occur ; and it is not 

 until this test has been several times applied, that the chain is 

 marked as perfect. 



Without the town, the botanist finds a rich treat in Mr. R. Har- 

 rison's collection of Orchideous and Parasitic plants at Aigbm-th ; 

 and the geologist will visit Leasowe's Castle (an inn) for the sake 

 of the remains of its submarine forest. This lies near the mouth 

 of the Mersey, on the Cheshire side. It appears like a peat-bog, 

 over which sand had been lightly sprinkled. We found several 

 specimens of trees nearly perfect ; and it was easy to determine 

 their species, from the distinctness with which the form of the 

 leaf is preserved in the peat. Within the house is to be seen the 

 carved roof of the old star-chamber, which was brought from 

 Westminster Hall. Nor must we forget to mention, as among 

 the objects best worth seeing in the neighborhood, Mr. Blundell's 

 Statue Gallery at Ince. 



Treasures of Knoivsley, the seat of the Earl of Derby. — The 

 whole of the extensive premises were thrown open to the inspec- 

 tion of the visitors. In the galleries and rooms of the mansion 

 were a fine collection of pictures ; but, as our time was limited, 

 we could not examine them with the attention they deserved. 

 The extensive aviary contains many fine and rare birds and beasts. 

 Some of these animals are permitted to range the grounds of the 

 aviary unconfined, being covered in by wire-work, extending 

 over many rods of ground. Among the Raptores we observed 

 several fine vultures ; among which were two species of Percnop- 

 terus ; also the Vultur Angolensis of authors, and all the British 

 eagles. Of the smaller birds, the Insessores, — a sj^ecies of Lam- 



