156 Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 



oxygen in greater proportions than these. We will mention also 

 that the oxygen proceeding from the decomposition of carbonic 

 acid in the apparatus in question was sensibly ozonized. It must 

 be remarked that the decomposition of carbonic acid by electricity 

 in these circumstances is effected at apparently a very low tempe- 

 rature, and that this seems to be the first time that an approxima- 

 tion has been made to conditions analogous to those of the decom- 

 position of that gas by green leaves under the influence of the light 

 of the sun. 



It would be desirable that these new experiments, which have 

 been made with much care, and the principal results of which we 

 have been able to verify, should be extended to other gases and 

 vapours — the electric intensities being varied between wider limits, 

 as well as the surrounding temperature and the velocity of the 

 gaseous currents. 



Physico-chemical researches directed to the modifications caused 

 by electricity in simple substances and in compounds present great 

 scientific interest ; for they may elucidate the question, still so ob- 

 scure, of the allotropy of simple bodies, and may lead to the expla- 

 nation of the decomposition undergone by certain compounds in the 

 organism. — Convptesl Mendus de VAcad. des Sciences, vol. lxxv. pp. 

 1735-1737. 



GREAT BAROMETRIC DEPRESSION OF JANUARY. 



On the 16th of January, 1873, a fall of the barometer of no or- 

 dinary magnitude set in at several stations in the north-west of 

 Europe. This fall became more general on the 17th, was fully 

 established, except at Biarritz, on the 18th, and continued with such 

 rapidity that at sixteen stations the fall exceeded 1 inch of mercury 

 between 8 a.m. of the 18th and 8 a.m. of the 19th. In the evening 

 of this day a violent gale from the south-west accompanied this rapid 

 fall. Except at a few stations in Erance, the minimum reading (below 

 29 inches) occurred on the 20th. The following readings at Thurso, 

 in the north of Scotland, will show the extent of the entire fall ; 

 while those at Toulon will indicate the extensive area over which 

 the fall occurred. 



Thurso. Toulon. 



A. AC, OMX. -LU. OUOO Alr , 



l* 17. 30-20 °g 



°' 95 * 19' ttfo °' 08 



0-02 i„ H J ° 0-60* 



Jan. 16. 



m. 



29-89 



17. 



29-47 



18. 



29-08 



19. 



28-13 



20. 



28-11 



Total fall 





1-78 





in. 



Jan. 16. 



30-36 



17. 



30-20 



18. 



30-03 



19. 



29-95 



20. 



29-35 



21. 



29-30 



Total fall 





0-05 

 1-06 



The corresponding portion of the great fall occurred a day later 

 at Toulon than at Thurso, as shown by the asterisks. 



