46 
EXTRACTS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS. 
cellular tissue of certain animals, although the latter are composed of different 
substances, especially those of the Snail. The progress and manner of formation 
in these concretions, M. Turpin thinks admirably calculated to show the progress 
of all ossification, whether animal or vegetable. 
Preservation of Corn. —Thinking that all granaries were but imperfect 
shelters from the vicissitudes of weather, General Demarcay has made use of an 
ice-house situated on his estate, but no longer used as such. Its depth was 
sufficient to render it impervious to atmospherical changes, and he lined it with 
wooden planks so as to form a large case, but which was at some little distance 
from the bottom and the sides of the ice-house, so that it was not liable to the 
damp of the surrounding earth, and allowed a free circulation of air round its 
exterior. The Corn was placed so as to fill the case to within a yard of the top ; 
three layers of loose planks were placed at a third of a yard distance between 
each, and the roof was then formed of thatch, and in a conical shape. The 
experiment has lasted twelve years, and been constantly attended with satis¬ 
factory results. The same grain has remained there for three years, without the 
slightest alteration, and, what is remarkable, some newly-thrashed Corn, which 
had been completely wetted while it was measured in the open air, having been 
placed in the case, was three weeks afterwards found to be as dry and glossy as 
Flax-seed. M. Libri states, that this plan has a striking analogy to the means 
proposed by Father Castelli, one of the most illustrious disciples of Galileo, 
who published his suggestions in Bologna, in 1669, in a work which he called 
Opuscules JPkilosophiques. These Opuscules are too little known, and contain a 
number of the most interesting articles; among them are some which explain 
optical illusions, and others which contain experiments on the radiation of heat, 
proving that, as far back as 1638, the Italians knew the basis of the theory of 
radiating heat. 
Grafting the Chesnut on the Oak. —A gardener at Metz has grafted a 
Chesnut upon an Oak, and the experiment has been perfectly successful. The 
advantages attending it in the culture of the Chesnut are very great, from the 
delicacy of the roots, which by this method may now find a substitute in those of 
the more robust tree of northern soils. 
Perfume of Flowers. —According to the experiments of MM. Schubler and 
Kohler, of Tubingen, white flowers are the most numerous in creation, and the 
most odoriferous, and to these succeed the red flowers. 
GEOLOGY. 
Gigantic Skeleton.—A human skeleton (says a Baltimore paper) has been 
brought to Baltimore from the Bocky Mountains. It is perfect, and eight feet 
nine inches high. “ There were giants in the earth in those days.” Antiquarians 
