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SELECTED ARTICLES. 
such as was used in the experiments, would answer to cover 
a great number of vessels; besides, this process permits us 
to repair our instruments ourselves, whenever they are in- 
jured. But, we must confess that it is as yet too imperfect 
for chemical uses; the platinum is not sufficiently adherent,, 
and does not well resist strong acids; it may, however, fur- 
nish some useful applications, and perhaps become perfected. 
The second process, the amalgam with heat, is likewise of 
little cost, but there is much to be desired with regard to it- 
The first process, on the contrary, is costly, more difficult to 
execute, but it perfectly answers the desired object, and cer- 
tainly merits the preference; the evaporating vessels covered 
within with platinum by this mode, answer the same purpose 
as those made entirely of platinum. We might, perhaps, for 
some purposes, cover both surfaces, or unite two methods, co- 
vering the interior by compression and the exterior by preci- 
pitation or amalgamation. 
Jlcad. Roy. des Scien. Jour, de Chim. Med. 
ART. X VIII.— OBSERVATIONS ON THE ANATOMICAL AND 
PHYSIOLOGICAL NATURE OF THE ERGOT OF RYE AND 
SOME OTHER GRASSES. By Edwin J. Quekett, Esq. F, L. S. 
&c. Lecturer on Bo-tony at the London Hospital and Aldersgate School 
of Medicine. 
[Abridged from a Paper read before the Linnean Society, November 4, 1838.] 
The investigation of this peculiar formation has often occu- 
pied the attention of both English and foreign botanists, with 
the view of determining its nature and origin; yet notwith- 
standing the mystery belonging to it has not been completely 
removed, the observations of some of the latter authorities 
have gone far towards our viewing this substance in a clearer 
light, especially those of Dr. Phcebus, in the Deutschlands 
