I will reserve for a special article the consideration of the number of plants in flower at the same time, which admit of being grouped together, and of those details of execution which would here be out of place. I must, however, reply to the objection that might be made, that the green of the leaves, which serves, as it were, for a ground for the flowers, destroys the effect of the contrast of the latter. Such, however, is not the case, and, to prove this, it is only necessary to fix on a screen of green silk two kinds of flowers, conformably to the arrangement of the coloured stripes, and to look at them at the distance of some ten paces. This admits of a very simple explanation; for as soon as the eye distinctly and simultaneously sees two colours, the attention is so rivetted that contiguous objects, especially when on a receding plane, and where they are of a sombre colour, and present themselves in a confused manner to the sight, produce but a very feeble impression.-(Chemical Reports and Memoirs of the Cavendish Society, p. 207.)

14. The Nutmeg Tree (Myristica officinalis).—Banda can furnish annually 500,000 lb. of nutmegs and 150,000 lb. of mace: this latter is not, as some persons suppose, the flower of the nutmeg, but the immediate internal cover of the brown shining shell, covering the kernel, which is the nutmeg; it is found as a beautifully reticulated scarlet arillus between these and the husk or exterior green skin.

The tree which furnishes these two productions, is one of the most agreeable to the eye, at least I thought so, when, for the first time, I saw a number loaded with fruit at Pondokgede, where they border the large walks of the magnificent garden belonging to the Nestor of our eastern possessions, the worthy M. W. Engelhard. The nutmeg tree attains a height of thirty-five to forty feet; it has some resemblance to our European pear-tree; its leaf is of a deep and shining green. Commencing to bear fruit about its ninth year, the tree produces, during more than half a century, if care be taken to shelter it properly, which is done at Banda, by placing it in plantations of canari trees, or of wild nutmegs, which the inhabitants call pala boeig; these have the same leaf and flower, but they give no fruit.

When the flower of the nutmeg falls, it is replaced by the nut; this requires several months to attain maturity, when it is of the size and the form of an apricot; its skin, of a yellowish-green, opens and displays the nutmeg, covered with its mace, of a beautiful red colour. The average annual produce of a tree is calculated at 5 or 6 lb. of nuts; there are some, however, which give from 15 to 20 lb. Although the nutmeg bears during the greater part of the year, the principal crop is in August, and a second, in November and December. These crops are liable to turn out more or less good. Good nuts are sometimes ill provided with mace, and often, on the contrary, very inferior nuts are accompanied by a superior mace.

The nuts, carefully withdrawn from their green exterior skin, and from the mace, are exposed to the smoke during two or three months upon frames or hurdles, in buildings constructed for the purpose

(Kombuisen), and then deprived of a last interior and very hard shell, an operation which is called afklopping van de noot, in order speedily to be steeped in lime mixed with sea-water. This method of preparing the produce requires the greatest precautions, for it is very delicate, and very easily deteriorated. The mace ought to be thoroughly dried, but by the sun or wind; sometimes the planters, when the season is humid, secretely avail themselves of the smoking frames (rook pavia pavias) to accelerate the operation; but then the mace acquires an inferior colour, and sweats more slowly, when it is exposed during the voyage to the heat at the bottom of the hold.(Journal of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern Asia, vol. iii., No. 1, p. 12.)

15. Cloves of Amboyna.—But that which, above all, has made Amboyna so precious, is the culture of the clove (the flower-buds of the Caryophyllus aromaticus).

In an average year, the crop of cloves may be reckoned at 250,000 or 300,000 lb. There are years, like those of 1819 and 1820, when this quantity has been much surpassed; but then in others, the crops have been less; in 1821, it did not amount to 100,000 lb.(The Journal of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern Asia, vol. iii., No. 1, p. 10.)

1. Kosmos. Sabine, F.R.S. London, 1849.

NEW PUBLICATIONS.

By Alexander Von Humboldt. Translated by Colonel Fourth edition, 2 vols. Longmans, and John Murray, The cheapest, most correct, and best translation of the renowned work" Kosmos" we have seen.

2. A Manual of Botany, being an Introduction to the Study of the Structure, Physiology, and Classification of Plants. By John Hutton Balfour, M.D., Professor of Botany in the University of Edinburgh. Illustrated by numerous Woodcuts. One vol. 8vo. Griffin & Co., London. Glasgow Griffin & Co., 1849. Although there is a great deficiency of elementary works in Zoology in this country, we rejoice, as botanists, that we possess such Botanical manuals as those of Jussieu, Schleiden, Lindley, Henfrey; and we now add the recently-published excellent Manual of Professor Balfour, which is equal, and in some respects superior, to the other manuals in our language at present in ex

tensive circulation.

3. The Elements of Botany. By M. Advien de Jussieu, Member of the Institute of France, &c., &c. Translated by J. H. Wilson, F.L.S., &c. One vol., pp. 750. Van Voorst, London, 1849. We had much to say

of this classical work, but the limits of our Journal do not admit of detail. We can only remark that the_translation is good, the additions well selected, the numerous engraved illustrations very creditable to the artist, and the typography beautiful.

One

This

4. Introduction to Meteorology. By D. P. Thomson, M.D. vol. 8vo, pp. 487. Blackwoods, Edinburgh and London, 1849. meritorious compilation we recommend to the attention of students of Meteorology. The industrious author has made ample use of the Lec

tures on this branch of Natural History—and hence its fulness of detail.

We

5. Principles of Scientific Botany; or Botany as an Inductive Science. By Dr J. M. Schleiden, Professor of Botany in the University of Jena. Translated by E. Lankester, M.D., F.R.S., F.L.S., &c. One vol. 8vo, pp. 616. Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, London, 1849. congratulate our readers on the appearance of an English edition of this remarkable work, by a gentleman so capable to do full justice to it as Dr Lankester. It cannot fail to interest deeply all true lovers of Botanical Science, and we believe it will be considered a valuable addition to our Botanical literature.

6. The Isle of Man its History, Physical, Ecclesiastical, Civil, and Legendary. By the Rev. J. G. Cumming, M.A., F.G.S., Vice-Principal of King William's College, Castletown. 8vo, pp. 376, with numerous Illustrations. J. Van Voorst, London, 1848. Mr Cumming's interesting volume gives the most satisfactory and comprehensive view of the statistics and geology of the Isle of Man hitherto published.

7. Histoire des Progress de la Geologie de 1834 à 1845, par Le Vicomte d'Archiac. Tome Premiere. Cosmogonie, Geogonie, Physique du Globe, Geographie Physique, Terrain Modern. Paris, 1847. Count d'Archiac's very useful work, publishing by the Geological Society of Paris, and under the sanction of the Minister of Public Instruction, so well begun, we trust will be continued, and without interruption, notwithstanding the present disordered political state of Paris.

S. Explication de la Carte Geologique de la France, redigée par MM. Dufrenoy et Elie de Beaumont. Tome 2. 2to, pp. 813. Paris, 1848. The present volume of the celebrated Geological Survey of France, like that already published, is remarkable for its rich display of facts illustrative of the varied geognostical and œconomical relations of the rock formations of that empire. This volume is dedicated to the Trias system, including the variegated sandstone, shell limestone, and variegated marls, and the Jura system, consequently including the Lias, and the lower, middle, and upper Oolite. These systems are illustrated by 105 interesting sections and plans. It is announced that the third volume will contain an account of the remaining Neptunian formations; and that a separate volume will be published, with descriptions and figures of the Fossil Molluscs characteristic of the different fossiliferous deposits of France.

9. Lectures on the Study of Chemistry, in connection with the Atmosphere, the Earth, and the Ocean and Discourses on Agriculture; with Introductions on the present state of the West Indies, and on the Agricultural Societies of Barbados. By John Davy, M.D., Inspector-General of Army Hospitals. Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans. London, 1849. This interesting little volume, worthy the reputation of its distinguished author, cannot but prove both instructive and acceptable to the numerous class of readers for which it is intended.

10. Manual of Mineralogy; or the Natural History of the Mineral Kingdom. By James Nicol, F.R.S., Assistant-Secretary to the Geological Society of London. 8vo, pp. 576. Adam and Charles Black, Edinburgh, and Longmans, London. Mr Nicol, in his Manual, one of the best elementary works on Mineralogy lately published in our language, arranges minerals according to the system of the celebrated Prussian

mineralogist Weiss, thus following the example of Hartmann, in his System of Mineralogy. The method is good, in so far as the general chemistry of minerals is concerned, but the want of physical characteristics of classes, orders, families, and genera, renders the work less immediately useful than it would otherwise be, to the young mineralogist, who, owing to these omissions, is left to the uncertain mode of discovering the place of the species in the system by an appeal to the index. In the next edition of Mr Nicol's Manual, we would recommend him to supply this deficiency, which we know he is fully competent to do.

11. Passages in the History of Geology. By Professor Ramsay, of University College, London. These pages contain a short, judicious, clearly-written, and well-timed sketch of the progress of Geology, up to the time of the celebrated Hutton and Playfair of Edinburgh, authors of the present generally adopted speculative views in Geology.

12. Tour in Sutherlandshire. By Charles St John, Esq. 2 vols. 8vo. John Murray, London, 1849. These amusing volumes, a continuation of Mr St John's former work, will be found equal to it, in usefulness and interest, especially to those who may visit the romantic wilds and picturesque coasts of the remote Sutherland.

List of Patents granted for Scotland from 22d March to

22d June 1849.

1. TO CHARLES-HENRY PARIS, of Paris, in the republic of France, manufacturer, "improvements in preventing the oxidation of iron," being a communication from his brother, CHARLES-EMILE PARIS, residing abroad. 26th March 1849.

2. TO WILLIAM-EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66 Chancery Lane, in the county of Middlesex, civil engineer, "improvements in machinery for hulling and polishing rice and other grain or seeds," being a communication from a foreigner residing abroad.- 26th March 1849.

3. TO JAMES FLETCHER, of Salford, in the county of Lancaster, manager at the works of Messrs William Collier and Company, of Salford aforesaid, machinists and tool-makers; and THOMAS FULLER, of Salford aforesaid, machinist and tool-maker, a partner in the said firm, " certain improvements in machinery, tools, or apparatus for turning, boring, planing, and cutting metal and other materials."-26th March 1849.

4. TO WALTER NEILSON, of Hyde Park Street, in the city of Glasgow, North Britain, engineer, "a certain improvement or improvements in locomotive engines."-27th March 1849.

5. TO JEAN-ADOLPHE CARTERON, of Paris, in the republic of France, now of the Haymarket, in the county of Middlesex, chemist, "certain improvements in dyeing."-27th March 1849.

6. TO DAVID HENDERSON, of the London Works, in the parish and county of Renfrew, Scotland, engineer, " improvements in the manufacture of metal-castings."-29th March 1849.

7. WILLIAM LONGMAID, of Beaumont Square, in the county of Middlesex, gentleman, "improvements in treating the oxides of iron, and in obtaining various products therefrom."-4th April 1849.

VOL. XLVII. NO. XCIII.-JULY 1849.

8. FRANCIS HAY THOMSON, of Hope Street, in the city of Glasgow, North Britain, doctor of medicine, "an improvement or improvements in smelting copper or other ores."-11th April 1849.

9. TO CLEMENCE-Augustus KuRTZ, of Wandsworth, in the county of Surrey, gentleman, "certain improvements in looms for weaving," being a communication from a foreigner residing abroad.-11th April 1849. 10. TO BARTHELENNY THIMOUNIER-AINE, of Amplepuis Department Du Rhone, in the republic of France, engineer, "improvements in machinery for sewing, embroidering, and for making cords or plats."-11th April 1849.

11. TO ARTHUR DUNN, of Dalston, chemist, "improvements in ascertaining and indicating the temperature and pressure of fluids."—13th April 1849.

12. To ALFRED-VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66 Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, mechanical draughtsman, “improvements in the manufacture of piled fabrics," being a communication from a foreigner residing abroad.-13th April 1849.

13. TO JEREMIAH BROWN, of Kingswinford, in the county of Stafford, roll-turner," certain improvements in rolls and machinery used in the manufacture of iron, also in rolls and machinery for shaping or fashioning iron for various purposes."-13th April 1849.

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14. WILLIAM M'BRIDE jun., of Sligo, in the kingdom of Ireland, but now of Havre, in the republic of France, merchant, improvements in the apparatus and process for converting salt water into fresh water, and in oxygenating water," being a communication from abroad.—16th April 1849.

15. TO JOHN RUTHVEN, Engineer, Edinburgh, Scotland, "improvements in preserving lives and property from water and fire, and in producing pressure for various useful purposes."-17th April 1849.

16. TO WILLIAM-HENRY BALMAIN, and EDWARD-ANDREW PArnell, both of St Andrews, in the county of Lancaster, manufacturing chemists, " improvements in the manufacture of glass, and in the preparation of certain materials to be used therein, parts of which improvements are also applicable to the manufacture of alkalies."-17th April 1849.

17. TO STEPHEN WHITE, of Victoria Place, Bury, New Road, Manchester, in the county of Lancaster, gas-engineer, improvements in the manufacture of gases, and in the application thereof to the purposes of heating, and consuming smoke; also, improvements in furnaces, for economizing heat, and an apparatus for the consumption of gases."—19th April 1849.

18. To LOREN H'JORTH, of Jewry Street, Aldgate, in the city of London," certain improvements in the use of electro-magnetism, and its application as a motive power; and also other improvements in its application generally by engines, ships, and railways."-20th April 1849.

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19. To JAMES HART, of Berinondsey Square, engineer, improvements in machinery for manufacturing bricks and tiles, parts of which machinery are applicable to moulding other substances."-13th April

1849.

20. TO CHARLES ALEXANDER BROQUETTE, of Rue Neuve St Nicholas, St Martin, in the republic of France, chemist, improvements in printing and dyeing fibrous and other materials."-20th April 1849.