338 
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ANATOMISTS. 
The dimensions of the apparatus justdes- 
cribed are very inconsiderable, and such that 
the current arising from fifteen plates, Pinches 
square, can produce the movement. J he 
electro-dynamic cylinders, which principally 
determine the limits of the mechanical effect, 
are 4 inches in length, and about half an inch 
in diameter ; they are surrounded by a spiral 
thread 130 feet long, of the thickness of about 
the fiftieth of an inch. The lever is of wood : 
the superior and inferior arms are respectively 
of the lengths of 14 and 3 inches; the extent of 
the oscillations is 15 degrees. In fine, the 
regulator weighs about 5 pounds, and the 
entire weight of the whole is about 11 pounds. 
Considerations, which readily offer them- 
selves on a comparison of the maximum mag- 
neto-mechanic effect of this apparatus, and the 
size of its different parts, have suggested the 
substitution for the cylinder of the ordinary 
horse-shoe form of electrico-magnetic bars, 
and the augmentation, within certain limits, 
of the number and size of these bars, and also 
of the length cf the spirals. 
As I have not finished my experiments on 
this subject, I shall at present confine my- 
self to the statement of the foregoing facts; 
which I have thought it expedient to publish, 
not only on general scientific ground?, but 
also because the study of the new kind of 
effects to which it belongs, may be consi- 
dered as fruitful of important mechanical 
results.* 
PRESERVATION OF ANIMAL 
MATTER. 
At a late meeting of the Asiatic Society, a 
human hand, and apiece of beef, preserved by 
means of preparation of vegetable tar, fourid 
on the borders of the Red Sea, in the vicinity 
of Mocha, and a specimen of the tar, were pre- 
sented by Lieutenant-Colonel Bagnold. Jn 
an accompanying letter Colonel Bagnold ob- 
served — “ During my residence as Political 
Agent on the Red Sea, a conversation witii 
some Bedouin Arabs, in the vicinity of Mocha, 
led me to suspect that the principal ingre- 
dient used by the ancient Egyptians in the for- 
mation of mummies was nothing more than 
the vegetable tar of those countries, called by 
the Arabs fettfraun. My first trials were on 
fowls and legs of mutton, and which, though 
in the month of July, and the thermomete r 
ranging 94^ in the shade, succeeded so much to 
my satisfaction, that I forwarded some to Eng- 
land ; and have now the pleasure to send, lot 
the Society’s information and inspection, a 
human hand, prepared four years ago by rny 
brother, Captain Thomas Bagnold. The best- 
informed among the native Arabs think that 
large quantities of camphor, myrrh, aloes, and 
frankincense, were used ; these specimens will, 
however, prove that such were by no means 
necessary, as the tar, when applied alone, 
penetrates and discolours the bone, The tar 
IS obtained from the branches of a small tree, 
or shrub, exposed to a considerable degree of 
heat, and found in most parts of Syria and Ara- 
bia Felix.” — AthencKum. 
* Jameson’s Journal, No. 85. 
SPECIFICATION OF THE PATENT 
GRANTED TO JAMES CHERRY, OF 
THE CITY OF COVENTRY, PAINTER, 
CARVER, AND GILDER, FOR CER- 
TAIN IMPROVEMENTS ON BED- 
STEADS OR APPARATUS APPLICA- 
BLE FOR THE EASE AND COMFORT 
OF INVALIDS AND OTHERS. 
Sealed January 15, 1835. 
WITH AN ENGRAVING. 
■with the said proviso, I. the said James 
Cherry, do hereby declare the nature of my 
said invention, and the manner in which the 
same is to be performed, are fully described 
and ascertained in and by the following des- 
cription thereof, reference being had to the 
drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures 
and letters marked thereon, (that is to 
say) : — 
My invention consists in certain arrange- 
ments of apparatus and machinery attached 
to bedsteads or other frame work applicable 
to repose, by which a greater degree of ease 
and comfort is imparted when the body is 
in the recumbent posture, and by which the 
position of the body may undergo vari- 
ous changes with less trouble and inconve- 
nience. But in order that my invention may 
be most fully understood, I will describe the 
drawings hereunto annexed. 
