1855.] 



MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



269 



Tlic Provincial Observatory. 



We see, by the Oazelle, thcat a Cliair of Meteorology hag been 

 establislied in University College, Toronto. Professor Cherriman, who 

 lately occupied the Chair of Natural Philosophy, has been appointed 

 to the new Chair of Meteorology. The Rev. J. W. Kingstone, of 

 Quebec, is the new Professor of Natm-al Philosophy in University 

 College. 



Terrestrial Magnetism** 



As early as 1825, Col. Sabine had inferred that an influence was ex- 

 erted by the sun and moon on terrestrial magnetism. In a set of 

 observations taken at the winter station of one of the Polar Expeditions 

 where the declination was about 90°, and discussed by him, it was re- 

 marked : that when the Sun and Moon were on the meridian at the 

 same time, the diurnal variation reached 5° ; but that when they were 

 at right angles to each other this quantity fell as low as 20'. The 

 sagacity he exhibited in his inference from this isolated set of 

 observations has been sustained by the laborious and patient observa- 

 tions and discussions of fifteen years. Some quantities so minute are 

 developed in the researches, that a less time would hardly have served 

 to separate them from the larger quantities in which they are involved. 

 The results set forth by Col. Sabine are as follows : 



1. The diurnal variation, following in all places the order of solar 

 time, and being at its maximum about two hours after noon, changes 

 its sign at the time of the two equinoxes. Thus, while the maximum 

 diurnal deflection from the magnetic meridian is eastward in all places 

 up to the 21st March, a change on the amount of deviation begins on 

 the 22d, and is completed in about ten days, after which the maximum 

 daily variation is to the westward, and at a mean equal to the eastern 

 variation of the preceding six months. 



2. There is an annual variation in the intensity of terrestrial mag- 

 netism, of small amount indeed, but aifecting both the northern and 

 southern hemisphere in the same manner, the intensity being greatest 

 when the sun is in perigee, and least when it is in apogee. 



3. It being well known that all the instruments in magnetic obser- 

 vation are from time to time aifected by disturbances, or storms as they 

 are often called, these distui-bances have been found to be subject to a 

 periodic fluctuation. This period has been discovered to correspond 

 with that assigned by Schabe to the spots on the solar disc. 



4. It has been clearly shown that there is a variation in magnetic 

 declination dependent on the change of the moon's position in relation 

 to the meridian of the place of observation, and having, therefore, for 

 its period the lunar day. This although first inferred by Sabine from 

 a single set of observations, was fully proved by Kriel from observa- 

 tions made in the Austrian States before the publication of the paper 

 of which we are stating the substance. 



Finally, the hypothesis which ascribes the variations in the phe- 

 nomena of terrestrial magnetism to local variations of temperature is 

 completely refuted. 



May we not hope, that the relations of the magnetism of the earth 

 to the two heavenly bodies which exert the greatest influence in other 

 respects upon our planet, having been thtis conclusively shown, a basis 

 is now provided upon which to erect a science that will be as simple in 

 its laws, and as fertile in its results as the theory of universal gravi- 

 tation ? Up to the present time, ten'estrial magnetism as a science has 

 had no other foundation than vague and unsupported hypotheses, or 

 empiric propositions, which although true, have been founded on no 

 general law. Henceforth it would appear to be as closely within the 

 reach of mathematical methods as the tides. 



Uliscellaiicons Intelligence* 



Mode of Measuuino the Force, &c., of Earthquakes. — Dr. lu-cil 

 (former director of the Observatory at Prague) has invented an in- 

 genious instrument to measure the force, duration, and direction of 

 earthquakes. It consists of a pendulum so contrived that, whilst it 

 can move in any direction, it cannot return. A perpendicular cylinder 

 is attached, which, by means of clockwork, turns on its vertical axis 

 in 24 hours. A pole with a thin elastic arm is fixed near the pendulum ; 

 this arm points towards the cylinder, and presses on it gently a pencil, 

 by which means an unbroken lino is formed on the surface of the cy- 

 linder as long as the pendulum is at rest, but, if it is put in motion by 

 an earthquake, the pencil makes broken marks, which shows the 

 strength, direction, and period of the earthquake. 



• Communicated to tho American Jourmil of ScIoQco, — May, 1855. 



The Bepoeted Death of Dr. Baeth. — The following is an extract 

 of a letter from Malta, dated the 20th of March : — " A highly inter- 

 esting letter from Colonel Herman, Her Majesty's Consul at Tripoli, 

 has reached the island, dated the 13th of March. It says : — ' You 

 will, I am confident, be delighted to hear that the rumour of Dr. Earth's 

 death was unfounded. A letter from him, dated Kano, the 15th of 

 November last, reached me yesterday. He then calcidated on arriving 

 at Moorzouk mthin thi-ee months, but which, as he purposed moving 

 by the circuitous route of Kooka, he never would accomplish. The 

 rumoirr of his death was fabricated by the ex-ruler of Bornou for the 

 purpose of possessing himself of a depot of supplies that had been 

 formed at Zejhan against the doctor's return, and in which he suc- 

 ceeded. The overthrow of this man was most fortunate, otherwise the 

 fabricated report might have been converted into a stern reality.' " 



Museum of Practical Geology. — In the House of Commons, Sir 

 S. NORTHCOTE has enquired whether it was intended to fill up the 

 vacancy created by the death of Sir U. De la Beche in the JIuseum of 

 Practical Geology ? — Lord Palmerston replied, that (he lamented 

 death of Sir H. Dc la Beche was felt, not only by that particular 

 institution over which he presided, but by science generally. It was 

 intended to fill up the vacancy by the appointment of Sir E. I. IMurchi- 

 son, in whose favour a memorial has been presented, which was signed 

 by almost every name connected with the object for which that institu- 

 tion had been founded. The sum of £800 per anniim has been attached 

 to this appointment. 



A Letter from Dr. Vogel to Consul Herman, dated Kaka, September 

 15, 1854, was read before the Geographical Society, April 30th 1855, 

 announcing his returning from Mandara without having heard of the 

 Chadda Expedition, which was navigating that river from August 7 

 to October 20, and has since safely arrived here. Dr. Vogel intended 

 to proceed to the Chadda river by way of Jacoba, but he was compelled 

 to turn back at Mandara, by the chief of that country. His future 

 progress is intended to be directed towards Lake Fitri, and the eastern 

 side of Lake Chad ; but in the event of obstacles being insurmountable, 

 he purposes to direct his steps to the Niger, by way of Nyifi, and des- 

 cend that river on his way to Europe. Also a letter from Dr. Earth to 

 Vice-Consul Gagliafii, dated Kano, November 12, 1854, communicated 

 by the Foreign Oflice. Dr. Earth disclaimed all desire of having Lis 

 tomb prepared for him, as had been done by Dr. Vogel ; on the con- 

 trary, he hoped, within three months, to be in Slursuk, on his return 

 to Europe. 



Dr. George Wilson, of Edinbm-gh, has been appointed Director of the 

 Industrial Museum of Scotland. The museum is to be erected in the 

 immediate vicinity of the University of Edinburgh. The groimd has 

 been purchased by Government. 



The English papers announce the death of Mrs. Nichol, formerly 

 Miss Bronte, who, under the«om deplume of Currer Bell, established 

 a lasting reputation by the publication of Jane -Eyre. We have two 

 other novels from her pen, Shirlci/ and Vileltc, and all are especially 

 distinguished for great power of conception and vigorous portrayal of 

 character. The unfortunate lady, who was the last survivor of a 

 family of six, died, at her father's house at Haworth, Yorkshire. 



M. Braconnot, the discoverer of Xiloidine, Pyrogallic acid, Esquise- 

 tic Acid, Leucine, Populine, ect., the author of the transformation of 

 AVood into Sugar, died at an advanced age at Nancy in the department 

 of Meurthe on the ]3th Jan., 1855, where ho was established and 

 where nearly all his labours had been performed. 



Joseph Remy, who gave to humanity a new branch of useful industry 

 well named, pisciculture, died at the village of La Bresse, in the De- 

 partment of the Vosges, at the age of 51. His son has been charged ■ 

 by the Minister of Agriculture to rc-pcople the Loire. 



The dimensions of tho Sault St. Mary Canal are as follows : — Its 

 length is one mile and an eighth, its width 70 feet, depth 12 feet, and 

 it is of sufficient capacity to admit steamboats of 2000 tona 



Ilcrr R. Luther, of the observatory of Bilk near Diisseldorf, dis- 

 covered a new asteroid planet of the eleventh magnitude, on the 19th 

 of April. Tho new planet is to be named Leukothea. Its distinctive 

 sign will be an ancient light-tower. 



Errata. — Page 253, lino 12, col. 1, for "Huron," read " Onta: 

 Same page, bottom line, road — " unfossiliforou«." 



mo.' 



