182 Foreign Literature and Science. 



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presence of animal matter. Two ounces of clean iron filings 

 were heated in a closed crucible, and when cold introduced 

 into a flask with an ounce of water, the opening of the flask 

 being dipped in mercury. Ammonia was evolved in decisive 

 quantity, proving, as had been previously advanced by Aus- 

 tin, that ammonia is formed when pure iron is oxydised by 

 contact with water and air. Chevallier found also that am- 

 monia existed in a great variety of natural oxides, such as the 

 micaceous iron ore of Elba, the red hematite of Spain, the 

 jenite of Elba, &c. &c. — Idem. 



36. Improved Clock. — Among the articles displayed at the 

 " first national exhibition of the objects of art and industry," 

 at Neuchatel, (Switzerland,) last year, we may mention par- 

 ticularly a clock made by Frederick Houriet, of Locle in 

 which steel was used only in the main spring, and in the axes 

 of the moveable parts : all the other parts are in brass, gold 

 alloy, gold of 18 carats, and white gold. The number of 

 pieces in pure gold, gold and silver, gold and platina, is six- 

 ty-two : all the pivots turn on javels and the functions of the 

 free escapements, are effected also by means of pallets in 

 precious stones. Some artists had observed to M. Houriet 

 that the escapement and the spiral spring not being of steel, 

 the inconvenience would result of a less degree of elasticity ; 

 but numerous trials and favourable results have removed the 

 objection, and it appears evidently that gold hardened either 

 by beating, (refoulement) or any other means known to the 

 author, is more elastic than hardened and untempered steel. 

 This clock has gone for six days, exposed to. the contact of 

 an artificial magnet, of the strength of 25 or 30 lbs. without 

 experiencing any derangement. This new method of fabri- 

 cating chronometers, may become of great importance to 

 those bold navigators, who, like captain Parry, explore the 

 Northern regions where the magnetic influence often exer- 

 cises a very sensible action upon time keepers of the ordinary 

 construction. — Rev. Ency. Feb. 1827. 



37. Neuchatel. — A steamboat entered the ports of this town, 

 under the roaring of cannon and the applauses of the popu- 

 lation, assembled from all parts to enjoy the new spectacle. 

 We are assured that the bed of the Thielle, a small river 

 which will open the passage into lake Bienne, is to be clear- 

 ed out, and from the latter lake, by means of a little labor, 



