THE IMPORTANCE OF LORD AUCKLAND’S SCIENTIFIC PARTIES. 671 
collection ; and Mr. Gould, at the request 
of the Chairman, directed the attention of 
the Meeting to those among them which 
he regarded as principally interesting either 
on account of their novelty or for the pecu- 
liarity of their form. 
They included the following species of the 
genus Edolius, Cuv., which were compared 
with numerous others placed upon the table 
for that purpose. 
Edolius grandis, Rangoonensis, Crishna, 
and viridescens. 
Of Edolius Chrisnn a very curious charac- 
ter is furnished by the long, hair-like, black 
filaments which spring from the head and 
measure nearly 4 inches in length. 
CTo be continued,) 
THE INDIA REVIEW. 
Calcutta: March 15 , 1837 . 
LORD AUCKLAND’S FIFTH SCIEN- 
TIFIC PARTY. 
Tuesday j \Ath April, 1837. 
On this occasion Dr. O’Shaughnessy 
showed the properties of cax'bonic acid, and 
its effects on flame and animal life. Carbonic 
oxide, carburet of hydrogen, and the olefiant 
gas or heavy carburetted hydrogen came under 
explanation, which led to the consideration 
of Davy’s safety lamp which was exhibited, 
its defects pointed out, and merits substan- 
tiated.* Df. O’Shaughnessy explained the 
principles of the new galvanic battery, by 
Mullins.t The party then arose and pro- 
ceeded to Mr. James Prinsep’s department, 
who, by a small working model of a steam 
engine, traced the origin and described the 
progress of our knowledge in the power of 
steam and its application to mechanical 
purposes. 
Mr. William Grant exhibited a contriv- 
ance of his own, which consisted of a little 
metallic drum, open for inspection at one 
side, turning upon an axis, between which 
and the diameter of the wheel are introduced 
• We beg to refer those of our readers -who are 
anxious of becoming thoroughly acquainted with 
this question, to the report of the committee of 
the House of Commons ix\ o\xr Review , page 181. 
+ This will be found fully described and 
illustrated by drawings at page 469. 
metallic segments of a circle made to fit 
close and move round with ease, having but 
little friction. Between each pairs of these 
(two or three of w^hich are sufficient) is in- 
troduced a moveable bolt, made like the latch 
of a door, catching at the end on one side 
and sliding back when pushed the contrary 
way. By this contrivance a constant and 
even motion is given in one direction by the 
introduction of steam between tv/o of these 
segments just beyond the catch of the bolt 
arrives to be caught and detached like the 
first. A steam engine on this principle is 
deemed by the inventor extremely simple, 
and it is said that Mr. Grant had found it 
in England economise steam very much in 
comparison with other engines. 
There were some beautiful specimens of 
drawings of raollusca by Cantor, and some 
fine oil paintings exhibited. Besides models of 
guns and carriages as attached to the artii- 
lei'y, at the three presidencies, we observed 
several models of semaphores and tele- 
graphs. The stuffed birds from the Asiatic 
Society gave evidence of the increasing value 
of that sciciety’s museum. We cannot con- 
clude our notice of HisLordship’s interesting 
and instructive parties without conveying to 
him the expression of a general feeling ap- 
parently pervading the whole of those enter- 
tained, that a continuance of them will not 
only be promotive of the objects of science, 
but encourage also the mechanical art^. We 
are ourselves convinced that many have been 
excited to study and research on scientific 
subjects who never felt their importance be- 
fore His Lordship gave the impulse : such 
ever has been, and ever will be, the mighty 
influence possessed by the ruling power. 
May a similar impulse be given by the heads 
of the governments at the other presidencies! 
ROADS AND PUBLIC WORKS IN 
INDIA. 
The following is an abstract statement of 
all important public works which have been, 
constructed at Madras and Bombay, or are at 
present in progress, such as canals, roads, 
&c. since the year 1813, 
