EXTRACTS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS. 
157 
Rue of the steppes, has been remarked. It is called “ Inserlik” by the Tatars, 
and its botanical name is Peganum karmala. It sometimes covers extensive 
plains in the Tatar country ; its root is strong and coriaceous, resists the plough, 
and is an invincible obstacle to cultivation. It is not useful for cattle, its 
odour being so disagreeable that they will not touch it, but it is likely to prove 
of immense service to the Russians in their manufactures. Attempts were 
formerly made to dye cloth of a red colour with the seeds, but it was a compli¬ 
cated process, and has been since abandoned : M. Goebel, Professor of Chemistry 
at the University of Borpat, having analysed these seeds, has ascertained the 
nature of their colouring matter, and invented a much simpler method of extrac¬ 
tion. It is superior to most of the ordinary substances which produce seeds, 
serves equally well for silk, wool, cotton, and linen, presenting every shade from 
rose to crimson, and not being subject to fade. Half an ounce of the extract is 
sufficient for dying six square archines, or more than three yards, of a deep 
crimson. 
GEOLOGY. 
7. Unknown Fossil. —A gigantic vertebra has been found near Nancy, more 
than a yard in circumference. It was much injured by the Vine-dresser who 
discovered it, which renders it difficult to ascertain to what animal it belonged. 
8. Fossil Palm-tree. —In a Coal-mine, near Charleroi, at a depth of 1,100 feet, 
a fossil Palm-tree, the trunk of which is 36 inches in diameter, has lately been 
found in a vertical position, with its roots fixed in the substratum. It is about 
to be transferred to the cabinet of Natural History at Brussels. 
9. Descent of the Marsupiata. —The attempt of De Blainville to curtail, by 
a few thousand centuries, the period through which the interesting family of 
Marsupiata now trace back their descent, seems likely to be frustrated, by the 
determined opposition which has followed the publication of his ideas respecting 
the reptilian affinities of the Stonesfield relics. We suppose the affair will end 
by the learned Professor having quietly to pocket his genus Amphitherium , until 
some future discovery shall either completely set the matter at rest, or afford 
more substantial reasons than those hitherto advanced for doubting the accuracy 
of Cuvier’s discrimination. Mr. Owen has addressed the Zoological Society on 
the subject, stating, that the examination of four specimens has fully satisfied 
him that the jaws in question are undoubtedly those of a Mammiferous animal, 
and probably referable to the Marsupial order. This confirmation of the view 
entertained by Cuvier, from an anatomist so eminent for his knowledge of Com_ 
parative Osteology as the Hunterian Professor at the College of Surgeons, in 
addition to what has been advanced by M. Valenciennes, will, we feel sure, be 
y 2 
