Natural Phihsophy^-^Meteorology. 
chromiuiii, the same ingredients as those of meteoric stones.^ 
Ann. of Phil No. 91. p. 68, 
11. Delcr ass's Observations on During ten years, 
M. Delcross had observed that hail consisted of spherical py- 
ramids or fragments of spheres, which Iiad been broken by ^ 
some explosion, and the cleavages of which always passed 
dirough the centre of the sphere. He frequently looked in 
vain for the original sphere, but never observed it till the 4th 
July 1819, during the dreadful hailstorm at Ba^onniere. Some , 
of the spheres were fifteen inches in circumference. — BiUmtli. 
Universelle^ Feb. 1820, p. 154.-157. 
12. Height of Meteors from which Meteoric Stones are pro- 
jected . — 'According to the observations of M. H. Dutrochet, the 
height of the meteor which projected the meteoric stones at 
Charsouville, in the department of the Loiret, on the 2Sd No- 
vember 1810, was about 14,724 toises. Mr Bowditch found, 
that the perpendicular altitude of the meteor which discharged 
the meteoric stones at W eston in North America, on the 14th 
December 1807, was 15,360 toises, or about 16 miles. — Journ. de 
Physique^ Mars 1820, tom. xc. p. 227. 
IJ. CHEMISTRY. 
13. Five New Alkaline Bodies.-^'M. Van Mens has announ- 
ced, that Dr Brandes has discovered new alkalies in the follow- 
ing plants, viz. Datura stramonium^ Hyoscyamus niger^ Aco- 
nitum napelluSj Atrbpa belhdmtna^ and Cicuta virosa. The 
alkali from the Atropa he has found to constitute the ingre- 
dient which gives that plant its peculiar properties. Its colour 
is brilliant white. It crystallises in long needles ; is tasteless, 
and slightly soluble in water and alcohol. It ivithstands a mo- 
derate heat. It forms with acids regular salts, and neutralises 
a considerable proportion of acid. Sulphate of atropia consists of 
Sulphuric acid, 36.52 
Atropia, 38.93 
Water, 24.55 
100.00 
