chased by the Curators of the Bodleian Library, Oxford, are safely arrived at Portsmouth, and will shortly arrive at the place of their destination.

A Lamp without Flame.-It had been found by Sir H. Davy that a fine platina wire, heated red hot, and held in the vapour of ether, would continue ignited for some time; and it has been since ascertained, that if a cylindrical coil of thin platina wire be placed, part of it round the cotton wick of a spirit lamp, and part of it above the wick, and the lamp be lighted so as to heat the wire to redness; on the flame being blown out, the alcohol will keep the upper part of the wire red-hot for any length of time, according to the supply of alcohol, and with little expenditure thereof; so as to be in constant readiness to kindle German fungus, or paper prepared with nitre; and by this means to light a sulphur match, &c. at pleasure. This lamp, whilst it affords a sufficient light to show the hour of the night by a watch, and to perform many other useful services, does not hinder the repose of persons unaccustomed to keep a light burning in their bed-room; and from its constantly preserving an uniform heat, and not requiring to be snuffed, as other lamps do, may prove a valuable acquisition to the chemist, in performing experiments on a minute scale, where a long continuance of a gentle heat, at an uniform temperature, is desirable. One gentleman has already kept one burning upwards of sixty hours. The proper size of the platina wire is the 1-100th part of an inch, which may be readily known by wrapping ten turns of the wire round a cylinder, closely together, and if they measure one-tenth part of an inch, it will be right. A larger size than this will only yield a dull red light; and a smaller one is difficult to use. About twelve turns of the wire will be sufficient, coiled round any cylindrical body, suited to the size of the wick of the lamp; and four or five coils should be placed on the wick, and the remainder of the wire above it and which will be as just mentioned, the part ignited.-A wick composed of twelve threads of the ordinary sized lamp cotton yarn, with the platina wire coiled around it, will require about half an ounce of alcohol to keep it light for eight hours. A slight acid smell, rather pleasant than otherwise, is yielded by this lamp during its ignition, arising from the decomposition of the alcohol: as is also the case with ether. It is scarcely necessary to point out the peculiar safety this lamp affords, as not a spark of fire can fall from it.

Animal Flower. The inhabitants of St. Lucia have discovered a most singular plant. In a cavern of that isle, near the sea, is a large bason, from twelve to fifteen feet deep, the water of which is very brackish, and the bottom composed of rocks. From these, at all times, proceed certain substances, which present, at first sight, beautiful flowers, of a bright shining colour, and pretty nearly resembling our marigolds-only that their tint is more lively. These seeming flowers, on the approach of a hand or instrument, retire, like a snail, out of sight. On examining their substance closely, there appear, in the middle of the disk, four brown filaments, resembling spiders' legs, which move round a kind of petals with a pretty brisk and spontaneous motion. These legs have pincers to seize their prey; and, upon seizing it, the yellow petals immediately close, so that it cannot escape. Under this exterior of a flower is a brown stalk, of the bigness of a raven's quill, and which appears to be the body of some animal. It is probable that this strange creature lives on the spawn of fish, and the marine insects thrown by the sea into the bason.

Lord Colchester has presented a wellselected law library to the city of Chester, for the use of the Judges and Barristers who attend that circuit; to which his Lordship, when first called to the bar, belonged, and in which he received his first brief.

Arelic Expedition.-The vessels destined for this interesting discovery are in every respect calculated to contend with the dangers which it is natural to expect they must undergo. The interior and exterior of each vessel have been rendered as strong

as the union of wood and iron can effect. From the gallery, copper-pipes can be extended between decks, for diffusing warmth through every part, by means of the steam arising from culinary operations. The ballast consists of coals. Meats of every description that can be preserved are on board, together with extensive assortments of woollen kerseys, and all sorts of warm clothing. The vessels are also provided with ice-boats, and fishing-gear for catching whales. Captain Ross goes up Davis's Straits as high as 72, when he will, endeavour to proceed in a westward direction, as far as practicable. Captain Buchan sails for the pole; and should he reach so far, will proceed to Behring's Straits, which will be the object of Captain Ross also. Experienced pilots, astronomers, and other scientific men accompany them. Whether they succeed in their object or not, in discovering a north-west

passage to the Chinese seas, still there is something in the attempt abundantly interesting,

Discoveries in Herculaneum.- A correspondent, says one of the French papers, tells us, that among the manuscripts discovered in the ruins of Herculaneum are a Justin and an Aulus Gellius, so well preserved that the persons employed in deciphering them have been able to read the whole of them with very little trouble. This discovery is so much the more valuable, as the texts of these authors have been very much corrupted, and the 8th book of the Nights of the latter, which was entirely lost, has thus been recovered.

The Stockholm papers announce the publication there of Travels in England, by M. Broling, Counsellor of Mines. The work, which consists of three volumes octavo, and is embellished with 37 copperplates, is represented as peculiarly interesting in whatever relates to our industry, manufactures, and mines. This work has gained the premium of the Swedish Academy for the best work published during

the year; and the proprietors of Forges subscribed for 300 copies.

Dalton's Thermometrical Theory.-The prize of fifty ducats, for ́“an accurate exaRoyal Society of Gottingen has offered a mination, founded on precise experiments, liquid and elastic fluids, especially of of Dalton's theory of the expansion of mercury and atmospheric air by heat." The authors are desired to pay attention changing the progression of the degrees to the necessity alleged by Dalton, for of the present thermometrical scales: memoirs must be transmitted before the end of September, 1819.

THE Rev. Stephen Weston is preparing some account of an excavation of a Roman Town in Champagne, discovered in 1772; with a journey by Lausanne to Mont Simplon, and through Geneva to Mont Blanc,

Mr. John Britton is preparing a chronological Illustration of the Ancient Architecture of Great Britain, intended to form a supplement to the Architectural Antiquities, but will constitute an independent work.

The Rev. T. F. Dibdin is preparing for publication, in two imperial octavo volumes, Ædes Althorpianæ, or a descriptive catalogue of the pictures, and a portion of the library of Earl Spencer, at Althorpe.

Dr. Paris is printing, at the request of the Geological Society of Cornwall, a Memoir of the Life and Scientific Labours of the late Rev. Wm. Gregor.

The publication of the Regent's Edition of the Latin Classics, (somewhat retarded of late by the aspect of the times,) will henceforth be prosecuted with vigour, industry, and perseverance. Livy and Sallust are now in the press, under the editorial superintendence of Dr. Carey, to whom

the public are already indebted for the Ho race, Catullus, Tibullus, Propertius, Martial, Cæsar, Tacitus, and the second edition of the Virgil, with the Opuscula, recently published.

Sir John Sinclair is preparing a work for the press, entitled, The Code of Political Economy, founded on statistical enquiries.

Mr. John Fry, of Bristol, has issued proposals, for publishing by subscription, in two quarto volumes, Bibliophia; which will contain-1. An account of those publications of earliest English printers, which have either escaped the knowledge of bibliographers, or have been inaccurately described. -2. An account of scarce and curious books printed, with a few exceptions, before the seventeenth century.3. Notices of such manuscripts as have fallen under the Editor's inspection, and entire re-prints of pieces of old poetry, meriting revival.

Mr. J. Hall, of Northampton, has in the press, A Free Inquiry into the Practice of Infant Baptism, whether it is not unscriptural, useless, and dangerous: to which are added, some remarks on Mr. Belsham's plea for infant baptism.

Mr. B. O'Reiley, who took a voyage to Davis's Straits, as surgeon of a whale-ship, in 1817, will soon publish, Observations on Greenland and the adjacent Seas, in a 4to. volume, with engravings.

An Essay on Spanish Literature; containing its history, from its commencement in the twelfth century, to the present time; with an account of the best writers, some critical remarks, and a history of the Spanish drama, with specimens of the writers of different ages,-will soon be published.

Church of Englandism and its Catechism examined: preceded by Strictures on the Exclusionary System as pursued in the National Society's Schools: interspersed with Parallel Views of the English and Scottish established and non-established Churches: and concluding with remedies proposed for the abuses indicated: and an Examination of the Parliamentary System of Church Reform, lately pursued, aud still pursuing: including the proposed New Churches. By Jeremy Bentham, esq. M. A. 8vo. 30s. A Ready Reply to an Irish Enquiry, or a convincing and conclusive Confutation of Calvinism. By a Clergyman of the Church of England. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

EDUCATION.

A Guide to the Selection and Use of Elementary School Books, in every Branch of Education; by the Rev. Joshua Collins, and the Rev. W. Catlow. 18.

Tales for my Son; by M. Kotzebue. 68. The first Elements of Arithmetic, or the Teacher's and Scholar's Assistaut; comprising the first four rules, combined into one series, and taught in one operation; by G. Reynolds. 2s. 6d.

First Lessons in Spelling; by Hannah Kilham. On 13 sheets, 1s. 9d.—In a tract, with a few Lessons of Religious Instruction, 6d.

duction to the Nine Parts of Speech; by Lessons on Language, or an easy Intro

the same author. 4d.

Child's Manual; being a Collection of StoHistory of the Fairchild Family, or the ries, calculated to show the Importance and Effects of a Religious Education; by

Mrs. Sherwood. 12mo. 5s.

ford; by a Lady. 3s. 6d. The Young Travellers, or a Visit to Ox

Part II. Vol. VI. of the Transactions of

Miss Smith. No. I. 10s. 6d.

nine engravings. £1. 1s.

POLITICS, AND POLITICAL ECONOMY. A Review of the Domestic Fisheries of Great Britain; by Robt. Fraser, esq. 4to. 18s.

Considerations on the Impolicy and Pernicious Tendency of the present Administration of the Poor Laws; with Suggestions for improving the Condition of the Poor; By Charles Jerham, A. M. 8vo. 5s.

MEDICINE AND SURGRRY. Practical Observations on the Cure of

the Gonorrhea Virulenta in Men; by Thos. Whateley, Member of the R. C. S. L. 4s.

Commentaries on the Treatment of the Venereal Disease; by E. Geoghegan, of the College of Surgeons, Dublin. 6s. 6d.

A Practical Inquiry into the Causes of the frequent Failure of the Operations of Depression, and of the Extraction of the Cataract, as usually performed; with a description of a Series of new and improved Operations, &c.; by Sir Wm. Adams. 8vo. 16s.

The Horse-owner's Guide; containing valuable information on the management and cure of the diseases incident to horses, more particularly that very fatal disease called Glanders; with many esteemed recipes; by T. Smith, late Veterinary Surgeon to the 2d regt. Dragoon Guards. 8vo.

5s. 6d.

low of the Royal Physical Society, Edinburgh. 5s. 6d.

Memoirs of the Court of Queen Elizabeth, by Lucy Aikin. 2 vols. 8vo. 25s.

POETRY.

Samor, Lord of the Bright City, a poem, by the Rev. H. Milman, A. M. 8vo. 12s.

Childe Harolde's Pilgrimage to the Dead Sea, Death on the Pale Horse, and other Poems. 8vo. 5s.

Poems written by Somebody, most respectfully dedicated to Nobody, and intended for Every Body who can read. Foolscap 8vo. 3s. 6d.

Religio Clerici, a Churchman's Epistle. 8vo. 3s.

Poems. By Arthur Brooke, Esq. of Canterbury. Foolscap 8vo. 78. Beppo, a Venetian story. 8vo. 3s. 6d.

VOYAGES AND TRAVELS. Humboldt's Personal Narrative of Travels to the Equinoctial Regions of the New Continent; translated by Helen Maria Wilams. Vol. III. 8vo. 21s.

Travels through some parts of Germany, Poland, Moldavia, and Turkey; by Adam Neale, M. D. Eleven plates, £2.2s.

Narrative of an expedition to explore the River Zaire, usually called Congo, in South-Africa, in 1816, under the direction of Capt. J. K. Tuckey, R. N.: to which is added, the Journal of Professor Smith, and an Appendix, containing the natural history of that part of the kingdom through which the Zaire flows; fourteen plates. 4to. £2. 28.

A Description of the Character, Manners, and Customs of the People of India, and their Institutions, civil and religious; by the Abbe J. A. Dubois, missionary iu the Mysore. 4to. £2. 2s.