Prussian Government. Translated from the German, with an Appendix and Anecdotes by the Editor. 8vo. 4s. THEOLOGY. The Third Book of Wonders, announcing the coming of Shiloh: with a Call to theHebrews; by Joanna Southcott. 8vo. 1s. 3d. Life in Christ, for every Willing Soul: three Sermons, preached at the Corn-Market Chapel, Sunderland; by Samuel Turner, author of A Mite for the Treasury, Arminianius in the Oven, &c. The Predestined Thief; or, a Dialogue between a Calvinistic Preacher and a Thief condemned to the Gallows. 3s. The Influence of Bible Societies; by the Rev. T. Chalmer. 8vo. A Sermon preached at Holy Trinity, Coventry, Jan. 13; by the Rev. John Davies, M.A. 8vo. 1s. 6d. A Sermon preached at St. Mary, Staf ford, Jan. 13; by the Rev. Joseph Maude, M.A. 8vo. 1s. A Sermon preached at St. Mary's, Gateshead, Jan. 13; by the Rev. Hugh Salvin. 8vo. 1s. 6d. The First Nine Reports of the British and Foreign Bible Society, 1805 to 1813 inclusive; uniformly printed in two thick Volumes 8vo. Vol. I. 3s. 6d.-Vol. II. 4s. 6d. An Abstract of the Annual Reports and Correspondence of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, from the Commencement of its Connexion with the EastIndia Missions, A.D. 1709, to the present Day; together with the Charges delivered to the Missionaries, at different Periods, on their Departure for their several Missions. 8vo. 13s. Observations on the Repeal of the 1st and of the 9th and 10th Will. III. commonly I called the Trinity Doctrine Bill; by the Rev. Henry Atkins, A.M. 3s. 6d. A Sermon preached in the Parish Church of Great Brickhill, Jan. 13; by the Rev. Latham Wainewright, A.M. F.S.A, 1s. 6d. A Sermon preached at the Church of Kibworth, Jan. 13; by the Rev. James Beresford, M.A. 1s. 6d. A Sermon preached in the Parish Church of Mortlake, in Surrey, Jan. 13; by Edw. Owen, B.A. 1s. 6d. 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Travels in the Caucasus and Georgia, performed in the Years 1807 and 1808; by Julius Von Klaproth. 4to. 21. 2s. PATENTS LATELY ENROLLED. Mr. RALPH DODD, of London, for Me- The two laws of nature, gravity and tenacity, are, he observes, the only prin ciples on which bridges can be scienti. fically erected; and he gives a decided preference to the latter, owing to the improved state of the arts of this country, in so successfully preparing and manu facturing metal for all such purposes. There have, however, says he, been mistakes in the erection of metal bridges, arising from an endeavour to make them, like bridges of stone, bridges of gravity, and not, as they ought to be, when constructed of metal, bridges of tenacity. This experienced and indefatigable engineer illustrates this capital mistake of all builders of metal bridges, by stating the following universal principle: viz. that lengths of metal always sustain the greatest weight when applied longi tudinally 1814.] Mr. Dodd's Metallic Bridges. tudinally or perpendicularly, whether in the line of the axis, or at right angles to the axis of the piece. But the same piece, or any combination of pieces, thrown into an arch of any form, has a tendency either to rise in the haunches or to thrust away the pier or buttress, the strength of which measures, in that particular, the sustaining power of the arch. No purpose, therefore, is gained by combining metal in imitation of stone; this acts only on the principle of gravity, and the bridge-builder takes advantage of this principle in the form of his arch when his materials consist only of stone; but the tenacity of the metals, and the power of extending that tenacity to any required length, renders it wholly useless to resort to the principle which originated only in the peculiar character of stone. Mr. Dodd proposes, therefore, to avail himself of the modern mode of making hollow iron tubes, which are lighter and stronger than any similar weight of metal in any other construction. These tubes he proposes to unice in lengths, so as, like canes, to be stronger at the joints than in any other part, and to unite as many of these lengths as will extend across the river, and then to apply a sufficient number, so as to produce the required strength and breadth. These hollow tubes, so united and combined, are stretched on piers or standards on each side, like the wires of a harpsichord, and then are carried out and secured on each shore, by a greater pressure than can ever pass over the bridge. 243 this simple plan, because it is evident that nothing more is requisite than to take the lengths to the spot and erect the standards. Nor need any thing be lost in beauty, as any appropriate ornaments may be applied to them distinguished for their lightness and variety. It is evident that such bridges will last as long as the materials of which they are constructed; and then, if any give way, it can be easily replaced. Also, that they are not subject to any of the usual causes of the decay of bridges, because never acted upon by floods and currents of water and ice. They also leave the navigation open, and remove many of the causes of accidents which arise from piers and their currents. They can also be raised to any height, so as not to obstruct the passage of ships in full sail. Nor is any width an impediment, because standards may be repeated at any required interval, far exceeding however, in distance, the width of any known arch. This strikes us as one of the most important applications of the improved manufactory of iron that has yet been submitted to the public. We need not observe on the great economy of time and expence in constructing bridges on As soon as Mr. DoDD has finished a bridge now in contemplation on this principle, we shall gratify the public with a correct view of it. Mr. JOHN CLARK, of Bridgwater, for a new Method of constructing Beds, Pillows, Hammocks, Cushions, &c. The nature of this invention, and the manner in which the same is to be, performed, are described by the patentee as follows: 1. The case of the bed, pillow, or hammock, &c. is rendered impervious to air. 2. The said case is strengthened by being enclosed in an external case of velvet or other usual material. 3. The internal case is filled with atmospheric air, instead of down or feathers. 4. The air is inserted through an aperture or tube, by means of an airpump, or other suitable machine, and is prevented from returning by means of an air-tight stop-cock or valve. The internal case is made of the usual materials of silk, linen, cotton, or woollen cloth, strongly sewn in all its seams, and is rendered impervious to air in the following manner:-To one ounce of caoutchouc, (usually called elastic gum or Indian rubber) cut in small pieces, add eight ounces of spirit of turpentine; let it stand for two or three days, or until the caoutchouc be considerably distended, and almost in a state of solution; then throw the whole into an open vessel containing seventy ounces of linseed oil, and boil it slowly for several hours, stirring it frequently until the composition becomes of a thick glutinous consistency by the evaporation of the oil; then let it cool, and filter it through a fine cloth: care must be taken to prevent its coming in contact with the fire; therefore the furnace should be sur rounded with brick-work, and sheltered from the weather, and over it there should be a funnel to carry off the steam, When the case is quite dry it must be washed in clear water, wherein, if any air-bubbles arise, they will indicate the exact place of a leak or leaks, which, being marked, the case must be dried from the water, and retouched with the aforesaid aforesaid composition until no such air bubbles arise from any part of the case. when filled with air and immersed in water. The case may afterwards be covered with leaf-gold, merely by laying the sheets on it and pressing them down. The external case may be made of velvet, or any other suitable material, and must be made rather smaller than the internal case, which otherwise would be liable to be too much distended when filled with air. The air-pumps, together with all the machinery which may be used for filling or exhausting the beds, may be enclosed under the bedsteads, and may commu nicate with cords and tassels, or handles placed commodiously within reach. Observations. The principal advantages, comprising elasticity, lightness, portability, buoyancy, &c. resulting from the foregoing method of construction, are enumerated as follows: Beds, Pillows, &c.-1st. Their superior degree of elasticity, affording the most renovating and easy repose, either in this or in the warmest climates.-2. They may, when required, be changed from the greatest degree of softness to the hardness of a mattrass, by moving the handle of the air-pump; or, by the exhausting-pump, they may be rendered soft to any required degree.-S. They may, at any time, be rendered agreeably cool, by merely changing the air by the alternate use of the air-pumps; this may be effected in a few minutes, without the persons sleeping on the beds being moved; hence their great advantage to invalids, and their generally refreshing and salubrious effects. To the colonies and plantations, or where warmth of climate prevails, they will be eligible from the facility with which they may be rendered cool; any alteration in the state or temperature of the beds being thus easily effected, and at any time required. 4th. On the general principle of fluids maintaining an uniform level, they are not subject to be ill-made, nor are they subject to those clumps or knots which feather or down beds gra dually acquire in the course of a few years, and thereby occasion the troublesome process of taking out the feathers and fresh making them up.-5th. The impossibility of their ever getting damp, the case being impermeable to moisture. -6th. They require no making up. Hence they occasion no dust or film in the rooms or on the furniture, which is always the case where feather or down beds are used.-7th. Their extreme lightness; the largest weighing only a few ounces.-8th. Their portability; being easily folded, or rolled up, after being previously exhausted: hence their great advantage to travellers.-9th. For medical purposes, they may be filled with air at any required temperature, or with water, steam, or other fluids, either wet or dry, elastic or non-elastic, to which the case is equally imper meable. Seamen's Hammocks.-The case being water-proof, prevents their being rendered useless from the spray of the sea. They will be light, portable, aud buoyant; and, in case of shipwreck, could be used as life-preservers. Cushions, Pads, and Carriage Linings Will be eligible and commodious, from their lightness and elasticity. Printers' Balls for Beating the Types Are usually made of leather, and stuffed with wool, which soon becomes saturated with moisture from the ink, and are thereby rendered inconveniently heavy. But, on the present construc tion, they will be light, and may be rendered elastic to any required degree, by means of a tube in the handle, furnished with an air-tight stop-cock, &c. as before described. PROCEEDINGS OF PUBLIC SOCIETIES. ROYAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. January 27. LONG paper by Dr. BREWSTER was read, giving a detailed account of his numerous experiments on light, in addition to those which have already been laid before the society. Dr. B. has investigated with great care the laws which govern the reflexion of light, and ascertained that its polarization, discovered by Malus, is not à general but a particular law. The phe nomenon of double reflexion has en gaged his attention, but it is not possible to convey any adequate idea of his new observations and discoveries without drawings in this brief report. Feb. 3. Sir HUMPHRY DAVY com municated to the society a long account of his very accurate and ingenious experiments on the fluoric principle. Flour is one of the many substances which present great difficulties to the inexpe rienced 1814.] Royal Society of London. 245 rienced operator, and promise no brilli- nerves contribute to effect secretion, yet A short paper, by Mr. A. CARLISLE, attached to the outer side of the hands Feb. 10. Mr. BRODIE (through the A letter from Mr. KŒNIG to the president was also read, describing the fossil human skeleton brought from Guada loupe to this country by Admiral Sir A. COCHRANE, and deposited in the British Museum. This singular fossil was found on the shores of Guadaloupe, below highwater mark, among calcareous rocks formed of madrepores, &c., and not very remote from the volcano, called the Souffiiere. The block containing the human skeleton is eight feet long, two broad, and weighs about two tons; it is a very hard granular lime-stone, resembling calcareous sand-stone, containing a few venus and other shells, some of which are unknown. The skeleton is tolerably perfect, with the exception of the skull and some vertebræ of the neck, which are wanting. Sir H. Davy found some phosphate of lime in the bones, proving the presence of animal matter. Mr. K. does not pretend to guess at the age of this fossil skeleton; but Sir Joseph Banks, whose experience and observation are more extensive, considers it of very modern formation. Other fossil bones have been found in the same vicinity, and calcareous masses, or rocks, continue forming there. This circumstance seems to sanction the judicious opinion of the learned president; and taking into consideration the contiguity of a volcano, the probability of the temperature of the water being considerably raised at some times, and the known fact that carbonate of lime, dissolved in water, is afterwards deposited in a comparatively short period in masses of very hard and solid stone-every person may be convinced of the rapidity of the formation, and also of the hardness of such stone, by inspecting the inside of teakettles, in which water vulgarly called hard is boiled. Feb. 17. The doctrine of animal heat, or rather the comparative heat of arterial and venous blood, bas occupied the attention of Mr. JOHN DAVY, who communicated the result of his labours in this department of science to the society. The experiments of Crawford being performed at a time when the process and means of analysis were much less perfect than at present, it is necessary they shoald be repeated before they can be 2 K received received as correct results in the actual THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY SIR JOSEPH BANKS, bart. K. B. P. R. S. &c. has communicated to this society the following hints respecting the proper mode of inuring tender plants to our climate. Resp ctable and useful as every branch of the horticultural art certainly is, no one is more interesting to the public, or more likely to prove advantageous to those who may be so fortunate as to succeed in it, than that of inuring plants, natives of warmer climates, to bear with. out covering, the ungenial springs, the chilly summers, and the rigorous winters, by which, especially for some years past, we have been perpetually visited. Many attempts have been made in 5 this line, and several valuable shrubs, that used to be kept in our stoves, are now to be seen in the open garden; there is, however, some reason to believe, that every one of these was originally the native of a cold climate, though intro duced to us through the medium of a warin one; as the gold tree, Aucuba jas ponica, the moutan, Pæonia frutescens, and several others, have been in our times. In the case of annuals, however, it is probable that much has been done by our ancestors, and something by the present generation; but it must be remembered, that all that is required in the case of an annual, is to enable it to ripen its fruit in a comparatively cold summer, after which, we know that the hardest frost has no power to injure the seed, though exposed in the open air to its severest influence; but a perennial has to encounter frosts with its buds and an nual shoots, that have sometimes heen so severe with us, as to rend asunder the trunks of our indigenous forest trees. It is probable that wheat, our principal food at present, did not bring its seed to perfection in this climate, till hardened to it by repeated sowings; a few years ago some spring wheat from Guzerat was Sown with barley, in a well cultivated field: it rose, eared, and blossomed, with a healthy appearance; but many ears were, when ripe, wholly without corn, and few brought more than three or four grains to perfection. In the year 1791, some seeds of Zizania aquatica were procured from Ca nada, and sown in a pond at Spring Grove, near Hounslow; it grew, and produced strong plants, which ripened their seeds; those seeds vegetated in the succeeding spring, but the plants they produced were weak, slender, not half so tall as those of the first generation, and grew in the shallowest water only; the seeds of these plants produced others the next year, sensibly stronger than their parents of the second year. In this manner the plants proceeded, springing up every year from the seeds of the preceding one, every year becoming visibly stronger and larger, and rising from deeper parts of the pond, till the last year, 1804, when several of the plants were six feet in height, and the whole pond was in every part covered with them as thick as wheat grows on a well-managed field. Here we have an experiment which proves, that an annual plant, scarce able to endure the ungenial summer of Eng land, |