184/.] On the Local and Relative Geology of Singapore. 667 



This property being inherent in the structure of the crystallization is 

 not liable to be effaced by accident or use. The acuteness of the wedge 

 may be blunted, but the teeth of the saw cannot be destroyed. 



That this arrangement of the crystals is not disturbed by the action 

 of the hammer, we learn from the water of the blade and from the 

 seam remaining inclosed in the back. 



It follows that however perfect the edge of the natural damask maybe, 

 it must always be especially liable to cross fracture at that point where 

 the radiation of the crystals is perpendicular to the edge of the blade. 

 And accordingly Asiatics use such sabres with extreme caution, not 

 ordinarily striking with them but drawing the edge lightly and swiftly 

 over any unguarded part : a touch sufficing to disable ; or severing 

 their adversary's reins ; a practice which renders necessary the use of 

 chains upon the bridle to the distance of 18 inches from the bit. 



The natural damask therefore seems ill-adapted to the purposes of 

 war as practised by European nations, but seems especially suited to 

 the fabric of razors, penknives and surgical instruments, in which 

 keenness of edge is of the first consequence and elasticity of none. 



The art of giving elasticity to the cast steel or natural damask is a 

 secret known only to the discoverer, Col. Anosoff of Engineers, Master 

 of the Fabric of Arms at Zlataoost. The knives, &c, warranted to be of 

 cast steel, and professing considerable elasticity, which are common 

 enough in England, are made of blistered steel, which bears that appel- 

 lation amongst us, but is not bona fide cast steel, having never been in a 

 state of fusion. 



On the* Local and Relative Geology of Singapore, including Notices of 

 Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula, fyc. — by J. R. Logan, Esq. 



(Concluded from page 557.) 



Extract from a letter to Professor Ansted, Vice-Secretary of the 



Geological Society of London, dated Malacca, 4th February, 1847. 



"Subsequently to the date of the above paper, finding that but a 

 slow and unsatisfactory progress could be made by land, I availed 



