382 Scientific InltUigence. 
above described. After 4 P. M. the heavens began to assume 
a brighter appearance, and fear gradually subsided. Between 
4 and 5 it was discovered that the steeple of the French 
Church in Notre-Daine Street was on fire. The flames were 
seen issuing from the top of the spire, which, through the haze, 
Jiad the appearance of a lighthouse seen far at sea. A small 
engine was taken up the steeple, and the fire extinguished, after 
great exertions, between 8 and 9 o’clock at night. At 8 o’clock 
the iron crucifix fell with a tremendous crash, and broke in se- 
veral pieces.” 
13. Snow in Rome . — In the month of January last, snow fell 
in Rome, which lay three days on the roofs and in the streets. 
14. Mean Temperature of' the Year . — Such of our readers 
as keep meteorological journals, will confer upon us a particular 
favour, by transmitting to us the average temperature of the 
year, as obtained from their observations, and also a statement 
of the number of years from which it is deduced, and of the 
place of observation above the level of the sea. 
IT. CHEMISTRY. 
15. SaussuiTs Eoeperiments on the Deccmp)Osition oj Starch . — 
A very interesting Memoir by M. Theod. de Saussure has been 
published in the Phil. Trans, for 1819, part I. The following 
are the principal results of his investigation. Starch, when re- 
duced to the state of paste, and allowed to decompose sponta- 
neously at a temperature between 68'’ and 77° Fahrenheit, pro- 
duces, either by the contact of air or without it, (1.) A species of 
sugar, similar to that which is obtained from it by the means of di- 
luted sulphuric acid. (2.) A species of gum, v/hich has a great 
resemblance to the gummy principle of roasted starch. (3.) A sub- 
stance which Saussure calls Amidine, possessing properties inter- 
mediate between those of starch and the preceding gum. (4.) 
A substance approaching to ligneous, by its insolubility in water 
and in several acids ; but it has an amylaceous character, in gi- 
ving a purple tinge to an aqueous solution of iodine. 
The spontaneous decomposition of starch furnishes also other 
products, but their presence and mode of formation are subor- 
dinate to the action, or to the absence, of the atmospherical air 
