28 G Catalogue of Works on Gardening, §c. 



the neighbouring matter, and ascertains the track in which there is least 

 resistance. It is thus sinuous, zigzag, or branching, on different occasions. 

 When the electricity has passed, the air, which has been forced asunder, 

 again rushes into the partial vacuum, and gives rise to the thunder, or the 

 report which follows the discharge. The rolling of the sound is caused partly 

 by the echoes, partly by the report from different points in the track reaching 

 the ear in succession. It is rather the volume than the intensity of the sound 

 which makes it so awful. The loudest peal of thunder can scarcely be heard 

 at the distance of ten miles, and is therefore of less intensity than the report 

 of a cannon. When the air is favourably disposed for the conduction of the 

 electricity, the discharges may be very frequent, but weak, so that no report 

 follows, and the flash is invisible by day. This is what is termed heat- 

 lightning, or sometimes sheet-lightning, though erroneously ; the name referring 

 to the recurrence of the lightning on warm humid nights." 



The author next accounts for remarkable electrical appearances, such as 

 balls of fire, and other meteors, whirlwinds, pillars of sand, and water-spouts; 

 but this very interesting part of the article we must pass over; earnestly 

 recommending the reader to study the original, which will be found not less 

 entertaining than original and instructive. 



Electricity appears to be an agent, which, like heat, is everywhere in 

 operation, both in the earth and air. Every new mixture of earths in the soil, 

 or of earth and air, by turning it over; and every addition of water to soil, 

 occasions electrical changes; and these, it may easily be conceived, must have a 

 powerful influence on plants. Though the subject is still in its infancy, it may 

 be considered of the greatest importance to scientific cultivators, as explaining 

 many phenomena, not otherwise to be accounted for. At all events, when 

 gardeners are watering, abstracting water by draining, mixing soils, adding 

 manures, stirring the surface, digging or trenching, they may consider them- 

 selves as preparing the way for electrical changes, which, at some future day, 

 will be accounted for in a more intelligent and specific manner than they can 

 be at present. 



Art 3. is on the application of arithmetic to medicine, which shows in a 

 striking manner the great uncertainty of that art as at present practised. 



Passing over a number of articles, we come to 24. on Public Improvements, 

 in which many new public buildings are described and criticised, and some 

 beautiful engravings are given. 



Two new cemeteries are about to be formed in the immediate vicinity of 

 the metropolis ; one to be called the Abney Park Cemetery, at Stoke New- 

 ington ; the other the West London, at Earl's Court, Kensington, for the 

 buildings connected with which latter there has been a competition, and the 

 designs were sent in on the last day of August. Another more embryo pro- 

 ject is that for establishing a public botanic garden in the Regent's Park, 

 the spot selected for the purpose being the whole of the inner circle, which 

 it is intended to lay out in gardens appropriated to plants of different coun- 

 tries, and to ornament with a variety of characteristic buildings. Of these, 

 one of the principal is to be a large rotunda, or circular conservatory, in the 

 very centre, to which a grand promenade will lead directly from the chief 

 entrance, raised on a viaduct or terrace, fenced by balustrades with vases, &c. 

 There will likewise be a very extensive piece of water, forming a deeply in- 

 dented lake, studded with islets. In conclusion, we strongly recommend this 

 Almanack and Companion as the most suitable work of the kind for garden- 

 ers that we are acquainted with. 



The Bee-Keeper's Manual, or Practical Hints on the Management and complete 

 Preservation of the Honey Bee. By Henr}' Taylor. Second edition, enlarged, 

 and with numerous additional illustrations ; 12mo, pp. 126. London, 

 1839. 

 The first edition of this useful little work was noticed in Vol.XTV. p. 295., 



and, as the author did not think we had altogether done him justice, his 



