94 POIA'TECHNIC INSTITUTION, 



less, and ranch cracked, after undergoing the fire process. Sand is the 

 cheapest and readiest source of silex ; but flint is considered the better 

 material. 



In Persia, flint is ground up with other materials to form a very 

 powerful cement. Occasionally flint stones beautifully marked are cut 

 into brooches, cameos, &c. 



Polytechnic Institution. — Mr Pepper returned last month to the 

 Direction of the Polytechnic Institution under the most favourable 

 auspices. The Institution was crowded, and when Mr Pepper came 

 forward to deliver his lecture upon the principles of Ventilation, he was 

 greeted with a hearty welcome. He stated that although three years had 

 intervened since he last appeared on that platform, the warmth of his 

 welcome made him feel that the separation which had taken place between 

 him and the Polytechnic audience was but then of yesterday. It assured 

 him that he was among friends, and he would appeal to them to aid 

 him in the arduous duties he had undertaken. He said arduous duties, 

 because when amusement, in its most attractive form but totally devoid 

 of rational instruction, was offered in other places to the public, it required 

 no small degree of energy to manage an educational establishment in such 

 a manner as to counteract the evil influences of the establishments to 

 which he alluded. He would especially appeal to them to aid him, as 

 they had aided his predecessor, Mr Phene, by sending works of Art and Art 

 Manufacture to the Institution for exhibition, and so increase its attrac- 

 tions. It would no doubt be interesting to the public to know that the 

 Rev. J. B. Owen was chairman of the board of direction, and that the 

 Rev. Chas. Mackenzie had taken charge of the Educational classes. After 

 this address, Mr Pepper gave an entertaining and instructive lecture upon 

 the principle of Ventilation, illustrated by working models. 



gUbMs. 



Information on Common Objects, for the Use of Schools. Home 

 and Colonial School Society. 



This admirable little work, the compilation of Mr W. B. Tegetmeier, a 

 name well known in conneclion with industrial science, has reached & fifth 

 edition — a clear evidence of its usefulness and popularity. The work embraces 

 information on all the leading objects derived from the three kingdoms; and 

 a careful perusal warrants us in stating that every fact and statement given 



