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THE EDINBURGH JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



evaporation. Whilst the pumping machinery works, the ebb and flow 

 of the spring are very regular ; when it stops, the regularity nearly ceases. 

 When the spring is in lull flow, its appearance is very striking. The 

 great shaft of eight feet in diameter is filled with water, agitated in the 

 most violent manner by the torrents of gas which it discharges. Whilst 

 its turbulence is at a maximum, the gas abruptly ceases to flow, and in a 

 few seconds the surface of the water in the shaft is perfectly tranquil. 

 The water descends, and continues to do so, at first rapidly, then more 

 slowly, until it has subsided nine or ten feet, which occurs in about fifteen 

 minutes. This point has been but just reached, or for a very short time, 

 when a sudden swelling up of the water first, and then of the gas, is 

 observed in the bottom ; the shaft fills very slowly, — the flow of water 

 and of gas continue for a long time progressively to increase, not appa- 

 rently attaining their maximum until the water is at its full height, which 

 requires from thirty to forty minutes after the first return of the stream. 

 It remains in a state of violent agitation for two hours, or somewhat 

 more, when the preceding cycle of phenomena is repeated. This descrip- 

 tion applies to the ordinary state of the spring, when five or six pumps 

 are in action ; if these are fewer the periods are longer ; if more, the re- 

 verse. This Mr Forbes clearly made out, from registers of observations 

 frequently verified by himself. Of the natural state of the spring, when 

 no pumps work, he had not the same means of satisfying himself. There 

 can be no doubt, however, that, in that case, the periods are longer and 

 more uncertain, those of flow amounting to three, four, or five hours, and 

 of ebb to one, two, or three. Several of the neighbouring springs appear 

 to partake of the intermittent character, especially as regards the carbonic 

 acid gas which they discharge. 



The temperature of the spring, many times observed during its various 

 phases, was 65° Fahr. very nearly, and it seemed perfectly stationary. 

 Now, it appears from direct observations, that the mean temperature of 

 the air at Kissingen is about 51°, or 14° lower. The author made many 

 observations upon the temperature of springs in the neighbourhood, both 

 pure and mineral, which he finds to indicate a mean temperature rather 

 lower than the above. Thus the great brine spring, in addition to its 

 other remarkable characteristics, is distinctly a hot spring, or thermal. Nor 

 can this be ascribed to the depth of the bore through which it issues, for 

 the spring which rose in the same spot before that bore was made had 

 the same temperature half a century ago, and it did not increase during 

 the operation of boring. A neighbouring spring, also intermittent and 

 saline, called the Schonborn Quelle, rising through a bore 550 feet deep, 

 has a temperature of only 52°. 



Lastly, the author gives some account of the products of the spring. 

 Thirty and a half cubic inches of almost pure carbonic acid gas are com- 

 bined with one pound of water ; but this gives no conception of the vast 

 streams of that substance disengaged by the spring during its period of 

 activity, and of which it is difficult to obtain the roughest measurement. 

 It is collected and applied medicinally to different parts of the body, in 

 baths suitably arranged. The water of the spring is discharged at the 

 rate of from thirty-five to forty Bavarian cubic feet per minute during its 

 full action. Its specific gravity is about 1.0157. The solid matter it 

 contains amounts to '22.37 grains in 1000 of water, and consists, according 

 to the analysis of Kastner, of 14 grains chloride of sodium, 3.2 muriate of 

 magnesia, 0.5 muriate of lime, 3.3 sulphate of soda, 1.0 carbonates of 

 magnesia and lime, together with several other substances in small quan. 

 tity. It closely resembles the composition of sea-water. The brine is 

 concentrated from 2 £ to 17 per cent, by spontaneous evaporation in drop- 

 ping through stacks of black thorn ; and in this process at least 180 

 millions of pounds of water are annually carried off in the invisible form 

 by the atmosphere. The quantity of pure salt obtained from this spring 

 alone amounts to about 28,000 hundred weight (Bavarian Centner) 

 yearly. 



REVIEWS. 



Tales about Animals. — By Peter Parley. 7th Edition. London, 

 Thomas Tegg and Son. 1838. 



Of the books on Natural History, lying upon our table, we take up the 

 one not of highest scientific pretensions, but one which we regard as emi- 

 nently qualified to promote the great object we have in this Journal, 

 namely, to spread abroad a taste for the science, and to impart amuse- 

 ment to young and old. We allude to the seventh and last edition of 

 Peter Parley's " Tales about Animals." We have not the honour of 

 knowing Mr Peter Parley, nor his publishers ; but both highly merit pub- 

 lic support, and we have little doubt have received it. This is really a 

 beautiful volume, in 18mo (we believe), extending to between 600 and 

 700 pages, and containing, we should suppose, not fewer small wood-cuts, 

 generally exceedingly well executed. The arrangement adopted is not that 

 of any of our systematic works, though we should opine Mr Peter is no 



stranger to these. The able author seems to have aimed at introducing 

 his subjects according to the interest they are found generally to produce, 

 and their economic importance. Thus, the first portion is devoted to the 

 Felines, from the Lion down to the Hyaena and Cat ; then we have the 

 Ruminants — Oxen, Camels, Giraffs, Sheep ; the Solipeds — the Horse, the 

 Zebra, &c. ; then Elephants, Rhinoceroses, Bears, Hares, Rats, Squir- 

 rels, Monkeys, Beavers, Hedgehogs, Bats, &c, &c. These occupy nearly 

 half the volume. Then come the Birds, arranged on somewhat the same 

 principle, occupying nearly 200 pages. Then we have Fishes, from the 

 Whales (about whose station we will not quarrel), the mighty monarchs 

 of the deep, down to the Gold-fish, swimming on the drawing-room table ; 

 not forgetting the Sharks, and Electrical Fishes, and the Cod, and Tur- 

 bot, and Salmon, and Trout to boot. Then come the Reptilia — the In- 

 sects, occupying about 30 pages ; the whole concluded with a very slight 

 notice of the Annelides, Zoophytes, and Polypi — Worms, Star-fish, Corals, 

 &c. The object evidently is to afford combined amusement and informa- 

 tion, and that object has been most happily, and we may add elegantly, 

 obtained. Many an interesting fact will be recalled to the recollection of 

 the Naturalist ; and for children, and even infants (attracted by the wood- 

 cuts), we know, from observation, it is an entertaining and quieting, as 

 well as quiet companion, beguiling many of what would be otherwise 

 tedious hours. Regarding the seventh edition we learn, that the number 

 of articles is nearly doubled ; the quantity of letter-press is more than 

 doubled ; and no less than two hundred and twenty wood-cuts are added. 

 Care has also been taken to make the volume accord as much as possible 

 with its title of Tales about Animals, and to give it a tendency to inspire 

 in the minds of the young a spirit of mercy and kindness towards the 

 brute creation. As a specimen, we quote a single page (91-2), in no 

 way superior in interest to the other 640. 



The endearing affection of Dogs for their masters is well known. In 

 the year 1827, there was a Dog constantly to be seen in St Bride's 

 Church-yard, Fleet Street, which for two years had refused to leave the 

 place where his master was buried. He did not appear miserable ; he 

 evidently recollected their old companionship, and seemed to imagine that 

 their friendship would again be renewed. The inhabitants of the neigh- 

 bouring houses daily fed the poor creature, and the sexton built him a 



little kennel. But he would never quit the spot ; and there he died . 



The stories of attachment between Lions and Dogs are well authenti- 

 cated ; and in several instances the stronger animal has afforded a pro- 

 tection to his trembling victim, which has ripened into friendship. In a 

 well regulated travelling menagerie, belonging to a person named Aikins, 

 there was in the Autumn of 182R a Spaniel bitch, affording sustenance 

 to a young Tiger that was sick, and not expected to live, and which she 



evidently tended with affectionate solicitude There is a most interesting 



account of the rescue of a child from death, by one of the St Bernard 

 Dogs, which is sweetly put into verse by Mrs Sigourney. 



'Twas night in good St Bernard's hall, 



And winter held his sway, 

 And round their fire the Monks recall 



The perils of the day. 



Their fruitless search 'mid storm and hlast, 



Some traveller to befriend ; 

 And with the tale of perils past, 



A hymn of praise to blend. 



When loud at their monastic gate 



The Dog was heard to moan. 

 Why doth he wander forth so late, 



Unguided and alone? 



Long on the dreariest Alpine height 



Inured to bold pursuit, 

 His shaggy coat with frost wak-white, 



In rushed the lordly brute. 



And crouching at his master's feet 



A burden strange he laid, 

 A beauteous babe, with aspect sweet, 



Close wrapp'd in silken plaid. 



A Professorship, which promises to realize the most important results 

 as regards the advancement of science, is about to be established in the 

 Durham University, namely, a Professorship of Mining, an endowment 

 which has long been a desideratum in this country ; and from the peculiarly 

 favourable position of Durham, in the heart of the great mining districts 

 in England, the students will at all times have the advantage of bringing 

 their theoretical instruction to the test of actual experiment. 



Edinburgh: Published for the Proprietor, at the Office, No. 13, Hill Street. 

 London: Smith, Elder, and Co., 65, Cornhill. Glasgow and the West of 

 Scotland: John Smith and Son; and John MacLeod. Dublin: George 

 Young. Paris: J. B. Bailliere, Ruede l'Ecole de Medecine, No. 13 bis. 



THE EDINBURGH PRINTING COMPANY. 



