254 



On the Separation of the Pomegranate 



[Oct. 



For instance it is v,-ell known that the mine engines in Cornwall, are some 

 of them worked with less than 2-lbs. of coal per horse power per hour, 

 which is one-third of the quantity consumed in the best engines at present 

 afloat, and a quarter of what is allowed in the above calculations; and again 

 with respect to the weight of boilers, those used on raih'oads and making 

 steam sufficient for a 50 hurse low pressure engine, weigh only about 6 tons. 

 Frooi what has been thus already accomplished in other branches of 

 steam power, we may fairly conclude that much will yet be done in 

 engines used for marine purposes. 



The principal ditEculty to be overcome in the introduction of such a 

 new system as this in navigation would be the persuading men to trust 

 themselves at sea without standing masts ; it is well known how difficult 

 it is to lay aside any thing in which men have been accustomed to trust 

 for ages ; the use of masts in the powerful coasting steamers, after so 

 many years have shown that they are of little or no use, is a case in point. 

 A remarkable instance was also seen in the case of the introduction of chain 

 cables ; ships were not trusted at sea without a hempen cable, till very 

 long aftei they had ceased to be used. But the removal of standing masts 

 is an essential feature in the proposed plan for neither can very low steam 

 pov,-er be used, if vessels are to encounter the resistance of the wind 

 to masts and rigging, nor can a masted vessel be worked with the small 

 crew proposed. 



If a sufficient crew is to be carried to work sails, it alters the whole 

 case, and such an arrangement is not the one proposed. The question 

 is, whether it will not answer to w^ork a vessel by low steam pov/er instead 

 of by the winds. 



October 1840. 



IIJ. — Qn the Separation of the Pomegranate as a distinct Natural Order 

 from Myrtace(2.—By Robert Wight, m. d., &c. 



The most eminent botanists of the present day being divided in 

 opinion as to the propriety or otherwise of separating the Pomegranate 

 as a distinct natural order from Myrtacece, I have recently been in luced 

 to examine this question, bringing to my aid the lights thrown on car- 

 pellary arrangement by my recent investigations of Cucurbitacese. 



