18^^ Scientific Intelligence. 
vibrations, according to Sir Thomas Brisbane’s observations, 
and 86022.21 according to the observations of Mr Dunlop, his 
scientific assistant. By comparing Sir Thomas’s results with 
those made in London, Captain Kater has found that 39.07696 
inches is the length of the pendulum vibrating seconds at Para- 
matta.; .0052704 the diminution of gravity from the Pole to the 
Equator, and 
the seconds- 
295^ the resulting compression, 
pendulum at London being taken at 39.13929 inches. By 
comparing the same experiments with those made by Captain 
Kater, at Unst, in Lat. 60 45' 28" N., the diminution of gra- 
vity is .0053605, and — ^ the resulting compression. By 
comparing the results of Mr Dunlop’s observations with his own 
in London, Captain Kater finds the length of the seconds-peii- 
dulum at Paramatta to be 39-07751, the diminution of gravity 
.0052238, and the compression — ^ Comparing these with 
the Unst observations, the diminution of gravity is .0053292, 
and the compression 
ACOUSTICS. 
7. Experiments 07i the Velocity of Sound.-— K very valuable 
and elaborate series of experiments on the velocity of sound has 
been made at Madras, by Mr Goldinghara. Various different 
measures of the velocity of sound had been obtained by different 
observers, but the discrepancies in their observations were not 
supposed to arise from the condition of the atmosphere. Mr 
^ Goldingham made his experiments with two gung, at the dis- 
tances of 29,547 feet and 13,932.3 feet. They were 24-pounders 
charged with 8 pounds of powder, and the experiments were 
continued during the latter part of 1820, and the whole of 1821, 
The followino: table contains the substance of these numerous 
and well-conducted experiments, ; and it is curious to remark, 
how the velocity gradually increases towards the middle of the 
year, and again gradually diminishes. Mr Goldingham con- 
ceives that this regularity would be still greater, with the mean 
s/of several years observations. 
