410 Scientific Intelligence. 
by it, while it received itself no impression. He then applied a 
piece of smoky quartz, which produced the desired effect. He 
then brought under it the saw plate, which in a few minutes was 
neatly and completely cut through longitudinally. When he 
stopped the buzz, he found it had not been worn by the opera- 
tion, and that he could immediately apply his finger to it with- 
out perceiving much sensible heat. During the operation there 
appeared a band of intense fire around the buzz, which continu- 
ally emitted sparks with great violence. He afterwards marked 
the saw for the teeth, and in a short time cut them out by the 
same means. — See Professor Silliman’s Journal , vol. vi. p. 336, 
and our last Number, p. 179. 
53. Mr Barton's Iris-Metal Ornaments. — Having, in a for- 
mer volume, viz. vol. viii. p. 128., given a full account of Mr 
Barton's method of making the iris-metal ornaments, our readers 
will be interested in learning that these are now actually ma- 
nufactured for sale. We have now before us two sets of gilt 
buttons, covered with minute lines, forming a pattern, and im- 
pressed upon them by a steel die ; and we venture to say, that 
no article of ancient or modern manufacture, can be compared 
with them in point of beauty. We look forward with great 
expectations to the application of the same principle to orna- 
ments of female dress ; and we are not without hopes of seeing 
our apartments decorated by the brilliant hues of striated co- 
lours. 
54. Destructive Volcanic Eruption in Java . — About the be- 
ginning of November 1822, the mountain in Preanger Regen- 
cies, to the south of Sumedang, exploded in a most awful manner, 
discharging volumes of smoke and flame, and masses of rock, 
some of which were thrown to a considerable distance, and ex- 
ceeding twenty feet in diameter. The surrounding country, to 
the distance of twenty miles, has been completed destroyed, and 
six thousand inhabitants have lost their lives. Great inunda- 
tions have been produced by the rivers, which were blocked up 
by the masses of rock thrown from the volcano. The explo- 
sion was distinctly heard at Samarang, a distance of more than 
150 miles. — Asiatic Register , No. xcii. p. 139. 
55. Artificial Mahogany.—- The following method of giving 
any species of wood of a close grain, the appearance of mahogany 
