Scientific Intelligence—Geology. — 371 
each, nor of 1 atom of carbon to 2 of hydrogen, till after they 
had been elaborated in the vessels of a planet, or the stomach of an 
animal ? Is it not more philosophical to reverse the process, and to 
say that animal and vegetable life derives its material substance by a 
power of accretion from what existed before, in a mineral state; and 
from gases coeval with the primitive minerals ? 
10. Strength and Density of Building Stone.—By a series of 
experiments recently tried in Washington, under the direction of the 
Ordnance Board, the specific gravity of various sandstones present- 
ed, averaged 1,929; the best Quincy granite, or to speak properly, 
Sienite, 2,648, and the Malone sandstone 2,591. 
The report of the examining officers further states— 
lst, That the sandstone of the capitol broke under a pressure, per 
square inch, of 5,245 lb, 
2d, Several of the marbles tested broke under pressures varying 
from 7000 to 10,000 lb. 
dd, The compact red sandstone, of which the Smithsonian Insti- 
tute is built, broke under 9,518 lb. 
4th, The granite, or blue micaceous rocks, employed for the new 
foundations, broke (as the average of 7 samples) under 15,603 lb. 
oth, The Malone sandstone, 24,106 lb. 
6th, The most compact Sienite from Quincy, 29,220 lb. 
It should be mentioned, that the various sandstones were tested 
in the weakest position,—with the lines of stratification perpendi- 
cular to the horizon, as such is the way that they are usually em- 
ployed in building. The marbles and granites were tested in an 
exactly opposite position. 
11. Theory of Earthquakes.—A report of the committee of the 
Institute of France, consisting of MM. Lionville, Lamé, and Elie 
de Beaumont, on the subject of the theory of earthquakes, has been 
transmitted to me for the use of the Association. From a careful 
discussion of several thousand of these phenomena, which have been 
recorded between the years 1801 and 1850, and acomparison of the 
periods at which they occurred with the position of the moon in rela- 
tion to the earth, the learned Professor, M. Perrey of Dijon, would 
infer that earthquakes may possibly be the result of an action of at- 
traction exercised by that body on the supposed fluid centre of our 
globe, somewhat similar to that which she exercises on the waters of 
the ocean; and the report of the committee of the Institute is so far 
favourable, that at their instance the Institute have granted funds 
to enable the learned Professor to continue his researches. You 
will recollect how often the attention of the Association has been 
drawn to this subject by the observations of Mr Milne and of Mr 
Mallet, which latter are still going on, and that the accumulating 
facts are still waiting for a theory to explain them.—(From the 
Dae 
