4S9 
MISCELLANEA. 
Explosion of Benzine. —A terrible accident occurred in the port of Havre on board 
the Glasgow steamer ‘ Athanasian.’ That vessel was being unloaded in the afternoon 
when a cask of benzine fell from the crane back into the hold, and burst, the contents 
running out into the bottom of the steamer. The labourers shortly after left, but re¬ 
turned in the evening to work by candle-light, and four men had gone into the hold with 
lanterns, when a loud explosion took place, and the spirit becoming ignited, the flames 
rushed up the hatchway. One man only, named Elie, could be rescued, and he was 
shockingly burnt. The other three must have perished immediately. The flames were 
shortly after got under, and two firemen, attached to ropes, were let down into the hold 
to see that the fire was quite extinguished, and at the same time endeavour to recover 
the bodies; but at that moment a spark from a torch fell down the hatchway and a se¬ 
cond explosion occurred. The two firemen were quickly drawn up, but, being severely 
burnt, were removed to the hospital with Elie. The last named is in a critical state, 
but the other two are believed to be out of danger. The flames were got under a second 
time, and the vessel, being of iron, is not greatly damaged. 
Beer Poisoned by Browsing on Yew. —It is stated that the Duke of Beaufort 
has lost nearly forty head of deer from their browsing on yew, the boughs of which were 
bent down within their reach by the snow. 
Poisoning by Yew-tree Berries. —An inquest has been held at Finchley on the 
body of Emily Arkhurst, aged three years, who died from eating yew-tree berries in 
Finchley Cemetery. The child was observed by her father to eat some of the berries 
from an Irish yew-tree in the cemetery, but he thought nothing of it. Shortly after¬ 
wards the child was taken with faintness, and the mother administered brandy and 
other restoratives, also a dose of castor oil, but a relapse having taken place medical aid 
was obtained; however death ensued. Mr. White, surgeon, deposed that a post-mortem 
examination plainly proved that death was caused by poison. From twenty to fifty of 
the berries were found, some of which had passed into the intestines. Verdict—“Death 
by accidental poisoning.” 
"Unalterable Nitrate of Silver Pills. —The following formulae for preserving 
nitrate of silver when required in the form of pills are given in the ‘Dublin Medical 
Press ’ of August 3, 1864. It is recommended that the pills should be kept in wooden * 
boxes. 
Nitrate of Silver Pills with Silica. —p. Argenti nitratis gr. iij.; Silicae prcecipitat. 
pur. gr. xxx.; Mucilag. gummi tragacanthi quantum minimum. Mix the nitrate of silver 
and the silica with due care, and make 20 pills. 
Nitrate of Silver Pills with Nitrate of Potash. —P Argenti nitratis gr. iij.; Nitratis 
potassse gr. xxx.; Mucilag. gummi tragacanthi quantum minimum. Prepared like the 
preceding one. 
Accidental Poisoning by Phosphorus. —On Monday, August 15th, an inquest 
was held at Warner Place, Hackney Road, on the body of Thomas Hill, aged 4 years, 
who is said to have died from the effects of phosphorus, which had been placed between 
slices of bread-and-butter by the father, for the purpose of poisoning rats ; and it was 
supposed that the child had taken the poisoned bread-and-butter from the shelf and eaten 
it, as he was found in great agony, the fumes of the phosphorus issuing from his mouth. 
Dr. Latham was called in, but was unable to give any relief, and the child died the next 
day. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death from phosphorus, but severely cen¬ 
sured the parents of the child for their great carelessness. 
Why Bees Work in the Dark.—A lifetime might be spent in investigating 
the mysteries hidden in a beehive, and still half of the secrets would be undiscovered. The 
formation, of the cell has long been a celebrated problem for the mathematician, whilst 
the changes which the honey undergoes offers at least an equal interest to the chemist. 
.Every one knows what honey is like when fresh from the comb. It is a clear yellow 
syrup, without a trace of solid sugar in it. Upon standing, however, it gradually as¬ 
sumes a crystalline appearance,—it cardies , as the saying is, and ultimately becomes ^ 
solid mass of sugar. It has been suspected that the change was due to a photographic 
