~ mach. 
\* 
1809.] 
is intended to form twelve parts. Four 
of these have already appeared. This 
production has been honorably distin- 
guished by the Committee of Arts, and 
has also received particular notice in the 
reports of the National Institute on the 
progress of che fine arts. 
M. Peron, during his voyage to the 
South Seas, collected a great number of 
that remarkable genus of animals, to 
which Linneus gave the name of Medusa, 
and bas increased that family fo morethan 
150 species. In an account lately pre- 
sented by him to the National Institute, 
their singularities are well expressed in 
the following terms:—“ Their substance 
seems to be merely a coagulated water, 
yet the most important functions of life 
are exercised in it. Their multiplication 
1s prodigious, yet we know nothing of the 
peculiar mode in which it is effected. 
They are capable of attaining several feet 
in diameter, and the weight of fifty or 
sity pounds, yet their nutritive system 
excapes our eyes. ‘Shey execute the 
most rapid and long-continued move- 
ments, yet the details of their muscolar 
system are impetceptible. They have a 
very active species of respiration, the 
true seat of whichis a mystery. They 
appear extremely feeble ; yet fish of con- 
siderable size form their daily prey,’ and 
wissolve ina few moments in their sto- 
Many species of them shine in 
the night like balls of fire, and some sting 
or benumb the hand that touches them ; 
yet the principles and agents of both 
these'properties remain to bediscovered.” 
All the medusas have a gelatinous body, : 
bearly resembling the cap of @ mush- 
room, and hence denominated umbrella ; 
but they differ in wanting, or having a 
mouth; inthe mouth being simple, or 
multiplicious; in the presence, or absence 
of a production resembling a pedicle; 
_ and in the edges of this pedicle, or of the 
_mouth itself, being furnished with Zenta- 
cula, or filaments, more or less numer- 
ous. From these characters, M. Peron 
forms divisions and subdivisions, under 
~ which every possible kind of medasa may 
be arranged. Some of these animals 
exhibit beautiful colors. 
Mr. JErrerson, late president of the 
United States, has sent to the class of 
natural history of the Institute a: fine 
collection of fossil bones, dug up on the 
ob 
anks of the Ohio. The greater number 
elong to the large animal, improperly 
called Mammoth, by the Americans, and 
to which M. Cuvier gives the name of 
Mastodonte ; but there are likewise some 
' Montyty Mac. No. 191. 
Literary and Philosophical Intelligence. 
41$ 
belonging to the genuine Mammoth of 
the Russians, or the other land-animal, 
much resembling the Indian elephant, 
the remains of which are so common in 
Siberia. These two gigantic creatures, 
therefore, formerly inhabited together. 
the northern parts of our globe. 
Mr. Van Movs, is publishing a The- 
oretical and Practical System of Fructi- 
culture, or Instructions for the work of 
the Nursery and Fruit-garden, in the or- 
der of the Months. ‘The extensive cor- 
respondence of the author, having 
brought him acquainted with all the im- 
provements lately made in this branch of 
scieuce, by a great number of persons 
distinguished for their education and ta~ 
lents; who, for various reasons, have re- 
tired to the quiet enjoyment of their gar 
dens ; he conceives that he shall render a 
service to many, by making them more 
generally known. ‘The work which com- 
menced in January last, and will finish ia 
December, is on the principle of a Gar- 
dener’s Calendar. 
The following new patents were finally 
passed on the 18th July :— 
To M. Barrurtemy Baron-Canson, 
paper-maker, of Annonay, for five years, 
for the application of a coloring prin- 
ciple of perfect equality, and of a soli- 
dity, proof against every test, to the 
manufacture of paper. 
To Messrs. JeckeRr, brothers, of Paris, | 
for five years, for making frames of 
spectacies. 
To M. Francors Nicotas HEnavtr, 
of Douai, for five years, for an economi- 
cal stove for burning pit-coal. 
Yo M. Zacuarie Avam, of Montpel- 
lier, for additions and improvements in 
the apparatus for distilling, of his brother 
Edward Adam. 
To Messrs. Dervieu and Praup, of 
St. Etienne (dep. of Loire) for ten 
years, for aloom for making the ground 
of lace. 
To M. Dovat, of Paris, for five years, 
for various processes relative to the con- 
struction of fire-arms and the manner of 
using them. . 
To M. Atpert Sakosky, of Paris, 
for five years, for a mechanical last, for 
lengthening, widening, and enlarging, 
shoes, according to their inconveniencies, 
or the conformation of the feet. 
ToM. Marcet, of Paris, for ten years, 
for an apparatus, by which the vapors 
that are disengaged from turf, during car- 
bonisation, may be turned to advantage. 
Yo M.Coupenr, of Paris, for ten years, 
for a preparation which he applies to 
3G common 
