Intelligence and Miscellanies. 189 



One of the vertebrae, measured seven and a half inches 

 across the body, and between the extremities of the transverse 

 processes fifteen inches. The scapula or shoulder blade 

 measured three feet in length, and two in breadth ; articula- 

 ting surface ten inches in diameter — thigh bone two feet 

 ten inches in length, twenty inches in circumference ; its 

 round head received into the acetabulum or socket of the 

 hip joint, in circumference, measured two feet six inches. 

 Articulating surface of the fore knee joint measured in cir- 

 cumference three feet six inches. Examined this 20th of 

 July, 1827. Thos. P. Stewart. 



5. Life Preservers — Cloth impervious to air and water, 

 6fC. — We are informed, that after a great variety of experi- 

 ments, Dr. Comstock of Hartford, has found a composition* 

 which will render cloth and leather, and other substances 

 impervious to water. Colored cloth, as silk or cotton does 

 not show the water-proof composition on the one side when 

 it is placed on the other, so that cloaks, or other articles of 

 dress look equally well after being made water-proof. Shoes, 

 boots and other articles have been in use more than a year, 

 and still retain their imperviousness. Several canal engi- 

 neers have pantaloons made with feet of this cloth, by which 

 they are enabled to wade in the water for hours or for the 

 whole day, without getting wet. 



This cloth, being impervious to air an well as water, has 

 been employed for the construction of " Life preservers," 

 for those who may be exposed to the hazard of drowning. 

 The life preserver consists of a bag of the water-proof cloth 

 put together with the water-proof composition, and conse- 

 quently without sewing, by which it is rendered air tight, 

 and so strong as to bear the pressure of two or three hun- 

 dred pounds when blown up, without bursting.! This bag- 

 is about one foot wide, and long enough to reach around the 

 body of the wearer, and is tied with strings in front. It is 

 furnished with straps, which keep it firmly fixed under the 

 arms, and a stop cock by which it is blown up after it is put 

 on. It may be put on and worn under the clothes, and in 

 time of danger blown up in one minute. It contains air 

 enough to keep a person suspended in the water, full head 



* Of which caoutchouc is understood to be the basis. — Ed. 

 t Two persons have often tried the experiment of sitting m\ one of them at 

 She same time. 



