404 Miscellanies. 



the scum at the surface, being separated either by the fermentation or 

 the action of heat. It is then skimmed off, and put away in a cask 

 to deposit its impurities ; after which it is drawn off in a pure state, fit 

 for immediate use. The oil is limpid, has a slight tinge of the yellow 

 color of the corn, and is inoffensive to the taste and smell. It is not 

 a drying oil, and therefore cannot be used for paint, but burns freely in 

 lamps, and is useful for oiling machinery. 



Both rye and Indian corn are used for distilling, sometimes sepa- 

 rate, but often mixed together. When rye is worked, either alone or 

 mixed with corn, no oil is produced ; and as the use of corn alone has 

 been commonly supposed to be less profitable for whiskey-making, the 

 existence of corn oil in the froth of the mash-tubs seems not to have 

 been generally known among distillers, until within a few years past. 

 It is now ascertained that by working Indian corn alone, and using a 

 somewhat higher heat than is common, oil may be produced at the rate 

 of one pint for every bushel of corn ; and that too without diminishing 

 the quantity of alcohol or impeding its manufacture. The oil sells for 

 one dollar a gallon. The pint of oil therefore repays one fourth of the 

 first cost of the bushel of grain which produces it. 



12. Gold Medal of the Geographical Society, awarded to Prof, 

 Robinson. — It must be gratifying to all who love the reputation of 

 American science, to learn, that the Royal Geographical Society of 

 London, have recently awarded their gold medal to our distinguished 

 countryman. Prof. Robinson, as a proof of the high estimation in which 

 they held his work, entitled, " Biblical Researches in Palestine, Mount 

 Sinai, and Arabia Petrcea." The medal was received by the American 

 minister at London, Hon. Edward Everett, who was addressed on the 

 occasion by W. R. Hamilton, Esq., president of the society, in a perti- 

 nent speech, giving a condensed view of the labors of Prof. Robinson. 

 Mr. Everett, on behalf of Prof. Robinson, made a forcible and eloquent 

 reply. 



13. Discovery of a new Metal. — " In Part VII of my Journal, which 

 you will receive next week, you will find a notice of the discovery of 

 a new metal ; it has been named Didym ; it always accompanies Lan- 

 thanium, from which unfortunately it has not yet been separated. All 

 the researches on Lanthanium, as well as those on Cerium, are erro- 

 neous." — Extract of a letter from M. Poggendorff to W. Francis, in 

 the L. E. and D. Phil. Mag. for Septemler. 



Death of Prof. John P. Emmet, of the University of Virginia. — We regret that 

 an obituary notice of this eminent individual, which we had expected, was not 

 received in lime for this number. 



