1G8 Foreign Literature and Science. 



roaches ; that a single drop applied to the corselet is more 

 effectual in speedily killing perfect insects, than the more 

 common method of dipping the transfixing pin in aqua- 

 fortis. For destroying the minute white acari^ that infest 

 the hairs of specimens it proves speedily effectual." As far 

 as 1 can judge, this method promises, from its cheapness, 

 and easy application to be very useful, not only to collec- 

 tions of natural history exposed to public view, but will ma- 

 terially abridge the labor, and save the precious time of the 

 scientific traveller in preserving his collections. It will also, 

 I doubt not, prove an acceptable boon to furriers, and other 

 dealers in peltry. And the anatomist would probably also 

 convert it to his use with much advantage.— ^jE^. Phil. Jour. 



5. Falling Stars. — Dr. Brandes of Breslau, and several 

 other meteorologists, have for sometime past been actively em- 

 ployed in making corresponding observations on falling stars. 



Although these remarkable meteors, apparently situated 

 beyond the atmosphere of the earth, at first sight appear to 

 move in every possible direction, yet according to the obser- 

 vations of Dr. Brandes and his friends, it would seem that 

 the most frequent direction is that opposite to the course of 

 the earth in its orbit. — Ed. Phil. Jour. 



6. Comparative durability of Marble and Granite. — A 

 fragment of a column in the ruins of Capernaum, mention- 

 tioned by Prof. Hall, is of an extremely beautiful granular 

 marble, which has all the freshness and brilliancy of a spe- 

 cimen recently taken from a natural quarry. It has been 

 full proof against the attacks of the elements, during the 

 lapse of perhaps two thousand years. Although limestone 

 is softer than granite, it is frequently less liable to decompo- 

 sition. This remark accords with the observations of sever- 

 al travellers in Egypt, Greece, and Palestine. The feldspar 

 of the granite is affected by the action of the air and moist- 

 ure, sooner than either of its other ingredients. " Of all 

 natural substances used by the ancient artists," says Dr. 

 Clarke, " Parian marble, when without veins, and therefore 

 free from extraneous bodies, seems to have best resisted the 

 various attacks made upon Grecian sculpture. It is found 

 unaltered, when granite, and even porphyry, coeval as to 

 their artificial state, have suffered decomposition. — Ed. Phil. 

 Jour. 



