11. On the Egg and Tadpole of Batracian Reptiles.-At the sitting of the Academy of Sciences of the 13th February 1826, M. Dutrochet read a memoir on this curious subject. Spallanzani had conjectured that the egg of the Batracians was nothing but the tadpole itself in a spherical form. This opinion was at first doubted by M. Dutrochet; but future examination discovered to him, that, among this class of reptiles, the fœtus exists prior to fecundation, which, as is well known, does not occur till the extrusion of the egg; and that this fœtus is a kind of polypus-a simple globular sac, which, containing the emulsive matter for the nutrition of the tadpole, lengthens gradually into a plicated tube with numerous convolutions. M. Dutrochet had formerly remarked, in his examinations of insects, that the larvæ of the bee and wasp might also be found in the egg before fecundation in a similar state.-Le Globe, No. 24, Fev. 1826.

BOTANY.

12. M. Ramond on the Vegetation of the Summit of the Pyrenees. In a memoir on this subject read at the Academy of Sciences on the 16th January 1826, M. Ramond remarks, that, from the base of a high mountain to its summit, the vegetation presents a foreshortened view of the same modifications which are observed from the same base to the Poles. In proof of this, M. Ramond describes the Pic du Midi, which rises 1500 toises above the level of the sea. On its summit, the barometer stands between 19 inches and 20 inches 3 lines. The greatest height of the thermometer, in summer, does not exceed 62° or 63° of Fahrenheit, and by supposing that, at that height, the variations will be proportioned to those at the level of the sea, the minimum will be 35° or 36°. On the same principle it will be found, that the thermometer should descend in winter, in places inaccessible to man, to -14° of Fahrenheit. Hence M. Ramond concludes, that the temperature on the Pic du Midi varies between the same limits as in regions situated between 65° and 70° of latitude.

"I have ascended, says M. Ramond, 35 times into this island, lost in the middle of the vast ocean of air, and I have remarked, that not a flower appears till the summer solstice. The spring consequently does not begin at that height till the summer has commenced at the foot of the mountain.” This peak is accessible only during three months of the year. The month of September is the most convenient for ascending it. In July and August it is not uncommon to see snow fall, which remains for a long time.

M. Ramond, even in that climate, has collected 130 species of cryptogamic or phanerogamous plants, which preserve themselves under the snow. On a small spot, accidentally laid bare, he observed 7 species of plants which vegetated vigorously.

It is a curious circumstance, that the species observed in the Pic du Midi are related to the same genera as the species collected by Captain Parry in Melville Island, near the Pole. This island, notwithstanding its extent, presents only 113 species, which is 17 less than M. Ramond has collected on the Pic. In the island, as on the Pic, there is only one shrub, which is the willow, reduced to the same dimensions. The climate,

however, is not so rigorous on the Pic as on the Polar island. The winters are certainly less severe, but the summers are not more warm.

Leaving the summit of the mountain, M. Ramond describes the modifications which vegetation experiences as we descend towards its base, and he speaks particularly of certain vegetables belonging to warm latitudes, which are found in very limited spaces. If we do not admit that these plants prove the existence of ancient communications with the countries to which their species belong, we must recognize an alarming number of particular creations. M. Ramond endeavours to explain these facts by geological considerations, which, however, he offers only as simple hypotheses. Le Globe, Jan. 19, 1826, Tome iii. No. xii. p. 62.

ART. XXXIII.-LIST OF PATENTS GRANTED IN SCOTLAND SINCE NOVEMBER 17, 1825.

66. Nov. 23. For Improvements in Machinery for preparing, drawing, roving, and spinning Flax, Hemp, and Waste Silk. To ALEXANDER LAMB, London, and WILLIAM SUTTILL, Middlesex.

67. Dec. 14. For Certain Improvements in Chronometers. To JOHN GOTLIEB ULRICH, Middlesex.

68. Dec. 15. For Certain Improvements in generating Steam. To JOHN MACCURDY, Middlesex.

1. Jan. 4, 1826. For a New Method of manufacturing or preparing an Oil or Oils, extracted from certain vegetable substances, and the application thereof to Gas Light and other purposes. TO EDMUND LUSCOMBE. 2. Jan. 4. For certain Improvements on Machines for scribbling and carding Sheep's Wool, Cotton, &c. To EZEKIEL EDMONDS of Bradford. 3. Jan. 4. For a method of conducting to and winding upon Spools or Bobbins, rovings of Cotton, Flax, Wool, or other fibrous substances. JOSEPH CHESSEBOROUGH DYER of Manchester.

To

4. Jan. 18. For the Preparation of substances for making Candles, including a Wick constructed for that purpose. To MOSES POOLE.

5. Jan. 18. For an Improved Power-Loom for the weaving of Silk, Cotton, Linen, &c. To JOHN HARVEY, Surrey.

6. Jan. 18. For Methods of seasoning Timber. To JOHN STEPHEN LANGTON, County of Lincoln.

7. Jan. 30. For Improvements in the Manufacture of Hat bodies, communicated by a foreigner residing abroad. To JAMES BLYTH WAYNMAN. 8. Feb. 1. For Improvements in the Construction of Carriages and Harness To THOMAS COOK, Surrey.

9. Feb. 1. For Improvements in Looms, and implements connected therewith. To T. W. STANSFELD, and W. PRITCHARD, Leeds.

10. Feb. 1. For an Apparatus for propelling Carriages on common roads, or on railways. To GOLDSWORTHY GURNEY, Middlesex.

11. Feb. 2. For a new Method of bleaching the Pulp for making Paper. To JAMES BROWN, County of Edinburgh.

12. Feb. 10. refining Sugar

For an Improvement or Improvements in the process of
To CHARLES FREUND, Middlesex.

13. Feb. 11. For a Machine for effecting an alternating motion between bodies revolving about a common centre. To J. LEAN, Bristol.

14. Feb. 11. For certain Apparatus for the concentrating and crystallization of aluminous and other saline and crystallizable solutions, &c. TO JOSIAS CHRISTOPHER GAMBLE, county of Dublin.

15. Feb. 16. For a new Preparation of fatty substances, and the application thereof to the purposes of affording light. TO NICOLAS HEGESIPPE MANICLER, Surrey.

ART. XXXIV.-CELESTIAL PHENOMENA,

From April 1st 1826, to July 1st 1826. Adapted to the Meridian of Greenwich, Apparent Time, excepting the Eclipses of Jupiter's Satellite's, which are given in Mean Time.

N. B.-The day begins at noon, and the conjunctions of the Moon and
Stars are given in Right Ascension.

8 13

9 12 52 49

14 21 52

0 9 20

11 17 48 0

D. H. M. S.

28

Conj. H

28

1

3

Conj. Band 28
Greatest Elong.

13 3

29

13

21 37 Em. II. Sat.

14

10

44 Em. I. Sat.

6 21

26

New Moon.

Conj. . H

1

Conj. Q

Conj. λ H

h Conj. . 8

in Opposition to O
New Moon.

Stationary.
Conj. A 8
Conj.

Conj, 2 x 8

53 Em. I. Sat. Y

42 Em. II. Sat.

15 28 20

8

21 ) Conj.
Conj. h
१४.
Conj. II
Eclipses 1 & 20
Conj. 2 a 20
First Quarter.

14

13 12 26 3
13 13 38
14 12 12
15 12 40
18 15 30

29 Em. I. Sat. h

Conj. m

Eclipsed Invisible.

Full Moon.

enters II

Conj. 18 m

Conj. m

36

Full Moon.

20 20 11

19

Conj. x

22 11 5 22 14 21 22 12 28 23 9 11 23 13 27 23 18 0

29 Em. S

41 Im. III. Sat.

21

21

0 25

54 Conj. a

23 18 1 30

24 2 15

Inf. Conj. O

54

23 5 1

24 22 30 29 ) Conj. p Oph.

Conj. 2 & m

Greatest Elong.

Conj. g Oph.
23) Conj. 1 μ

Conj. 2 μ
Conj.
Conj.

The preceding numbers will enable any person to find the positions of the planets, to lay them down upon a globe, and determine their risings and settings.