Miscellanies. 381 



An attempt was made to obtain an observation of the late eclipse with 

 the following result. Sun's center on the meridian by chronometer llh. 

 53m. 53 sec. Eclipse began by chronometer 3h. 12m. 50 sec. Chro- 

 nometer gaining 3.87 sec. per day. The end was involved in thick clouds. 

 Yours with high respect, James Dean. 



6. Geological Specimens from the East Indian Archipelago; from 

 Jas. T. Dickinson, Miss, of the A. B. C. F. M. 



Sfngapore, 20th March, 1838. 



To Prof. Silliman. — Dear Sir — I send ,by a friend, Mr. Hope, a few 

 geological specimens which I collected not long since during a voyage 

 among the islands of the Indian Archipelago. The specimens are very 

 small for convenience of transportation, and their value, if they have any, 

 is derived only from the fact that they are from highly interesting islands, 

 which, if I mistake not, are little known to geologists. 



The Ternati spyecimens are most of them from the top of the moun- 

 tain, 5060 feet high, and exhibit the trap rock in all stages of fusion. 

 The mountain is a volcano, the crater of which was emitting smoke, but 

 no flame, at the time we visited it. 



The coal from Borneo was found in situ among the hills, and may pro- 

 bably be found in any quantity. 



The rock of the island of Singapore is all red sandstone, so far as I 

 know. In some places the sandstone has fragments of quartz imbedded 

 in it. 



The mountains of the Malay peninsula are granite, and so also are 

 those of Cochin China. The islands east and south of Borneo are trap, 

 and abound in volcanoes. Beginning, then, at the north and west, we 

 have granite — next, proceeding towards the south and east, we find sand- 

 stone — and next, trap. 



Remark. — The specimens sent by Mr. D. fully sustain his opinions ; 

 and there are among them also very beautiful chalcedonies and agates 

 from the hills and beach at Mindanao. — Ens. 



7. Resemblance to an Aurora. — Extract of a letter from George 

 GiBBS, Esq., dated New York, Nov. 26, 1838. — A druggist's store in 

 Pearl street was burnt in the evening and while the' air was filled with 

 snow, (a slight fall took place during the night,) and a column of pale 

 light shot up from the blaze as high as the zenith, (in appearance.) It 

 was entirely distinct in color from the light of the fire or smoke, being 

 stationary, higher, and slender like the mast of a vessel. It was to the 

 south of where I stood and about a mile off, and was noticed by others at 

 the time. I had no doubt of its being an artificial aurora. You will be 

 able, perhaps, to explain it if not. 



