here recorded, was drawn up by Mr Trevelyan's grandfather, and appeared in the Newcastle Courant, of the 21st October last.

35. Gigantic Orang Outang. A female of the Gigantic Orang Outang, has lately been met with in Sumatra, and brought from thence to Calcutta, where it has been examined and described by Dr Abel.

BOTANY.

36. Irish Furze, Broom, and Yew.-It is not generally known that Ireland possesses varieties of the furze, the broom, and the yew, very different from any yet found in Great Britain. The Ulex europaeus of Ireland is more upright in its growth than the common plant, more compact, but much softer, and scarcely prickly to the touch. The Irish broom is very remarkable, and seems to be really a different species from Cytisus scoparius, (Spartium scoparium, auct.). This is characterized by the pod being glabrous on the sides, but furnished with a margin of short woolly hair. The Irish one has the pod so totally covered with long woolly hairs, as to appear at a distance like balls of white cotton. It in all probability will be found to be Cytisus grandiflorus, a species hitherto found only in Portugal. Lastly, The Irish yew is merely a shrub; the leaves are not distichous, as in the common Taxus baccati, but are quaternate. Of all the three, the British varieties are also found in Ireland, the above mentioned being rare.

ARTS.

37. Easy mode of Cutting Glass.-Mr Buchner of Mayence describes in the Archives of the Society of Pharmacy of Northern Germany, a method of cutting glass, which is as follows: A thin card, one, two or three inches broad, is glued to the glass in such a manner, as to cover the line in which the frac ture is intended to follow, in its whole extent. When the card is dry, a line is traced upon it by means of an iron or steel point, taking care to cut it down to the glass. In this groove a thread is then placed of a line and a half or two lines diameter, an brought round the vessel. The latter is steadied, and two peo laying hold of the extremities of the thread, move it rapid backward and forward upon the glass. In less than a minu

and when the thread begins to smoke, the glass cracks. The author attributes this effect to the development of electricity, since, in this case, he says, we cannot admit an alternation of cold and heat, as takes place in other methods. The thickest pieces of glass may be cut in this manner.

NEW PUBLICATIONS.

1. Mathematics practically applied to the Useful and Fine Arts; by Baron CHARLES DUPIN, Member of the Institute, of the Academy of Sciences, &c. &c. Adapted to the State of the Arts in England; by GEORGE BIRKBECK, Esq. M. D., President of the London Mechanics' Institution, &c. &c.

SINCE the publication of our last, some of the first numbers of this truly interesting work have made their appearance. A work of the kind has been long a desideratum in this country; and considering the high characters both of the author and translator, we have reason to expect that it will be such as the title bears, and productive of the happiest effects throughout the British empire. Though written in a masterly style, it at same time possesses all that simplicity and perspicuity which are so essential to such a work, and characteristic of true science. It is remarkable, that our operative classes should have so long kept before our continental neighbours, for practical skill in the arts and manufactures, whilst we have in general been as far behind them in a scientific point of view. The present work is well calculated to rescue both parties from these equally unpro fitable extremes of abstract speculation, and of human creatures labouring like inanimate machines, without understanding the rationale of their operations. At same time we are sure, that those who have made considerable proficiency in science, will not lose their labour by perusing this work. The specimen which we have seen both of the printing and engraving is excellent. But to most readers, the value of such a work would be almost. doubled by using cuts inserted in the letter-press instead of plates. In this way, not only the task of seeking out the figure, but the far more irksome one of separately carrying every word or letter between the figure and plate, would be in a great

measure saved. In books of geometry, plates, especially folding ones, are often fluttering in rage, whilst the work is otherwise entire. Baron Dupin is entitled to great praise for the pains he has taken to give a clear exposition of first principles; and, indeed, the student who considers the first rudiments of any science below his notice, is not likely to become a proficient. We think, however, that some improvement might still be made among the definitions. Thus, page 4, "A right line is the shortest distance between any two points." This, to be sure, is a characteristic feature of a straight line; but unfortunately, it is of no use at the outset of the elements of geometry. To supply the place of Euclid's tenth axiom, a second clause is added defining a right line to be "that which we trace by always proceeding in the same direction." Now, the term direction has more need of definition than the other; and we know of no mode of defining direction, but by help of a previous knowledge of a straight line. The tenth axiom of Euclid, or its converse, forms the only definition of a straight line which has as yet been found of any use in demonstrating the first propositions in geometry. It has therefore been adopted in this form by some authors of great note. In works exclusively devoted to elementary geometry, the demonstration of Euclid's twelfth axiom is usually passed over as impossible; and this makes it somewhat curious, that, in page 18 of Dupin, a demonstration of that notable theorem, on which so many have foundered, should have been attempted, as if it were a matter of no difficulty whatever. The demonstration, however, is not new, but it is not exactly given in its true colours; for nothing is said of the infinite magnitudes of the lines and areas on which the whole force of the reasoning depends. A fairer representation of it may be seen in Professor Duncan's "Supplement to Playfair's Geometry and Wood's Algebra." This singular demonstration is somewhat allied to the method of exhaustion, though not by infinitely small quantities; but areas infinitely great intercepted between lines of infinite lengths; and it is therefore doubtful if it be quite admissible towards the beginning of the elements of geometry, or if indeed it could be allowed in the higher branches of that science. In short, it is such as neither Euclid nor Archimedes would have tolerated; and we are not sure if the modern supporters of the OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1826.

R

ancient geometry be disposed to treat it with greater courtesy. At same time, we have here some admirable specimens of the арplication of the doctrine of parallels to the most useful of purposes. At page 33, the translator pays a high compliment to the French nation, on account of their skill in ship-building; and that they are well entitled to such encomiums we are not disposed to dispute. However, we beg to differ from him, in ascribing their success to the application of the mathematical sciences to the determination of the best form of a ship; because all, the little all, that is known of the best form, is merely derived from experience. An age probably will elapse, before the mathematical sciences can be applied with any certainty to this subject; for the laws of the resistance of water on a large scale are as yet only matter of speculation. The Dutch form differs exceedingly from the French; and yet competent judges admit, that it is not on that account inferior in practical utility.* But notwithstanding these criticisms, we do not hesitate strongly to recommend this work, especially to such as are desirous of acquiring the practical use of mathematics whilst studying the elements of that science.

2. Mr Audubon's great Work on the Birds of the United States of America.-M. Audubon devoted 22 years of his life to the study of the Natural History of the Birds of North America. During the greater part of that long period, he lived principally, and nearly alone, in the woods and wilds of the New World, drawing, describing, dissecting, and studying the appearances, habits and manners of the feathered creation. The result of this almost unparalleled labour, has been a connected series of observations equally striking and novel, and a collection of drawings admirable in execution, and absolutely marvellous in their representation of the living and intellectual attributes of the species.

* The current century has afforded some notable instances of the abuse of mathematical science; and in no case, perhaps, has the failure been more complete than in that of patent mathematical ploughs, scarcely one-half of which were ever used, but were consigned to neglect, and to be broken up for other purposes, like so many condemned wrecks. All the mathematical theories in the world are of no use in determining the best form of that part of a plough which works under ground; and we have no reason to expect that it will ever be otherwise. Like every thing else, mathematics are valuable, highly valuable, only in their own place.

Each group, even each bird, by its attitudes and expression of countenance, tells in these drawings the story of its own instincts. Did our space allow of it, we could dwell long, and with enthusiastic admiration, on these fine displays of skill and taste, and, after all, would but embody in a feeble manner the feelings of thousands who have seen Mr Audubon's pictures in the room of the Royal Institution in Liverpool, and in the Hall of the Royal Institution in this city. We are delighted to learn that these drawings are to be published, and on a scale of magnitude never before attempted in similar works in this country. Already several of the plates, admirably engraved, and beautifully and chastely coloured, have been publicly exhibited. The work, we understand, will appear in occasional numbers; the paper elephant folio, with 5 plates in each. The engravings will be accompanied with a quarto volume of letter press, containing all Mr Audubon's observations on the Natural History of the species, in the form of letters,—of which a very interesting specimen is given, in the history of the Turkey Buzzard in the present number of this Journal.

3. The Aberdeen, Leith and London Tide-Tables for the year 1827; by George Innes, Astronomical Calculator, Aberdeen.Mr Innes, so well known for his enthusiastic devotion to Practical Astronomy and his uncommon accuracy in calculation, has just published his Tables for 1827. This little work, now so indispensable to mariners and others, although requiring no commendation from us, we cannot allow to run its career without again expressing our conviction, from experience, of the perfect accuracy (and here every thing depends on accuracy), of all its calculations and details.

List of Patents granted in England, from 18th September to 18th November 1826.

1826,

Sept. 18. To R. WILLIAMS, Norfolk Street, Strand, for an improved method of manufacturing Hats and Caps, with the assistance of machinery. Oct. 4. To J. R. CHAID, Somersetshire, lace-manufacturer, for improvements in machinery for making Net, commonly called Bobbin or Twist Net.