1810] 
3lb. whereas the seed potatoe did not 
weigh quite two ounces, Hach of the 
potatoes, on an average, measured six 
inches in length, and the same in circum. 
ference. It is of a red colour, and is re= 
imarkably dry and mealy. 
The small bells set a-ringing by means 
of De Luc’s electric column, continued 
ringing on the evening of the 24th of Au- 
gust, and had been doing so, without 
stopping, for a period of 152 days and a 
half. . This long continuance renders it 
not improbable that the weight of the 
clapper may be so adapted to the power 
of the apparatus, a$ to cause small bells 
to continue ringing for years together 
without intermission. 
Sir H. C. EnGuerreLD recommends 
a new mountain barometer, in which the 
cistern has a bottom of leather, on which 
a screw presses in the usual mode, so as 
to force the mercury nearly to the top of 
the tube when packed for carriage. 
This screw is to be unscrewed as far as 
it can, when the barometer is prepared 
for use; and the leather bag is so ad- 
justed, that there can be no reason to 
fear that the capacity of the cistern thus 
unscrewed for use, will ever be sensibly 
different from itself at different times. 
Dr. Sarrerztey’s Course of Clinical 
instruction, at the Middlesex Hospital, 
beganon the first of November. 
Dr. Youne will begin, in February, 
at the samegkospital, a Course of Lec- 
tures on 2 and on the most 
important parts of the Practice of Physic. 
The annual Courses of Lectures, at 
the Surry Institution, Blackfriar’s Bridye, 
commenced on the fifteenth ult. and will 
be continued every succeeding Monday 
and Thursday evenings, at seven o'clock, 
during the season. The following gen- 
tlemen have been engaged for the re- 
spective departments, viz.: Zoology, 
Georcs SHaw, M.D. F.1.S.;- Music, 
Mr. S. Wesiey ; Zoonomy, Joun Ma; 
son Goon, esq.; the Chemistry of the 
Arts, Freperic Accum, M.R.I1,A.; 
Natural Philosophy and Astronomy, Mr, 
Tlarpie. ; 
Mr. Sincer’s Lectures on the Expe- 
Timental Sciences, will recommence in 
a short tune at the Institution, No. 3, 
Prince’s-street, Cavendish-square. The 
object of this establishment, is to” fa- 
cilitate the attainment of experimental 
knowledge; by combining the advantages 
of-private instruction with the facility of 
public lectures. 
ERANCE, 
ihe cultivation of the soda-plant has 
- 
Literary and Philosophical Entclligence. 
429 
been completely successful in several 
parts of the district of Tarascon, situ. 
ated not iess than ten miles from the 
coast, and it has been found the most. 
profitable crop that could. be. raised. 
One hectare has produced 22 quintals 
of matter, .at 180 franes per quintal ; 
and 90 hectolitres of seed, at 24 francs 
each, making a total of 6120 francs; 
while the expences amount only to 774. 
Moist soils, and those contiguous to therm, 
have always been found most favour 
able to this culture; but the distance of 
this successful experiment from the sea 
renders it remarkable, 
GERMANY. 
It is in contemplation to extend the 
plan of the institution established at 
Vienna, by the appellation of the 
Oriental Academy. It was founded in 
1754, by Prince Kaunitz, then prime 
minister, under the auspices of the Em- 
press Maria Theresa. It has produced 
a considerable number of eminent oriental 
scholars, many of whom have been em- 
ployed in the legation to Constantinople, 
and published many works of great in- 
terest on astern literature. 
The University of Halle has received 
an augmentation ofits allowances, to be 
expended-on the library, the botanic. 
garden, the cabinet of natural history, 
and the salaries of professers. The 
number of young students expected in 
that university will be increased by those 
from Prussia, the government having 
given all its subjects permission to free 
quent this seat of learning, 
According to accounts from Hlyrian 
Carinthia, a terrible rain-spout descended 
on the night between the 27th and 28th 
of August, at Hermajor and its vicinity, 
threatening destruction to the whole 
village. The water flowed into the 
maiket-place and. its neighbourhood sa 
high, as to penetrate the windows of the 
first floors. More than fifty persons 
were hurried away by the torrent; many 
of whom were alive, and called piteously 
for assistance, which no one could -afe 
ford, All the bridges, and twelve houses, 
were washed away, and a great quantity 
of cattle perished im the fields, . 
A Bavarian engineer has invented a 
method of constructing wooden bridges, 
which, for strenyth and solidity, promise 
a duration of several centuries. They 
are likewise remarkable for the elegance 
of their form and the width of their arches. 
One consisting of a’single arch 200 feet 
wide has been thrown over the river 
Kiovh. Another.296 feet wide has been 
4 ie made 
