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mills, glue works, tanneries, and other noisome trades, depending upon the butchers, in order to render the town so much more healthy, and to economize the carriage of the different articles. If the works were surrounded by grazing ground for the cattle waiting market day, the dwellings of the work-people would be kept at a distance, and the effluvia of the different processes diluted by admixture with the atmosphere.

He then proceeded to enlarge upon the importance of providing means of extra mural interments, either along the lines of railway, or in rural localities of convenient access; and described the precautions adopted at Frankfort and Munich against the diffusion of contagion, and premature interments, by the establishment of houses of reception, in which the corpse may be deposited in the interval succeeding decease. Particular attention was directed to the over-crowded condition of St. Peter's and St. John's church-yards.

In conclusion Mr. Boult suggested the desirableness of immediately throwing open the grounds of Newsham house and Wavertree hall to the public, without waiting until the Town Council could expend money în their decoration; a few footpaths judiciously laid out with a few gymnasia would yield much enjoyment to many who now desire the relaxation that would be thus afforded them. Year by year small outlays might be made to enhance the beauty of these resorts, just as the surplus income would permit. But if land in these parks were let at a nominal rent for cricket and bowls, numerous clubs would be organized, by whom the good condition of the ground would be maintained.

Mr. Picton approved of many of the improvements which Mr. Boult had suggested, particularly the new street northwards from Dale street, of one cattle market on one of the railways, and of the immediate opening of the public parks; if the corporation had no funds to expend upon them, a general subscription should be made, as had been done in Manchester. With regard to cemeteries along the railways, a great difficulty would be in the reluctance of railway directors to make any suitable arrangements. When the select vestry determined to form a new burial ground at Walton, inquiries were made from the directors of the Bury railway as to the terms upon which a funeral train would be run at a fixed hour each day, but the board would not entertain the proposition. When gentlemen, like the directors of railways, who ought to take the lead in introducing improvements, opposed them, it was almost hopeless to urge them.

Mr. Wakefield, a visitor, then gave a

description of a new method which had recently been patented, for preparing combustible gas, for heating and lighting purposes.

The process consisted in procuring hydrogen by the decomposition of water; this was effected by bringing small quantities of that fluid in contact with charcoal and scrap iron at a high temperature. Where gas was required for heating purposes only, the hydrogen thus produced could be furnished separately, at an expense of about three-pence per thousand cubic feet; where the gas was required for lighting purposes, the hydrogen was transmitted into another retort, where it came into contact with melted rosin, or some other material rich in carbon, at a high temperature. The products arising from this process were a pure carburetted hydrogen with great illuminating powers, and naptha.

The gas thus produced had a faint smell, and was of a brown colour. The products of its combustion were carbonic acid and water only, and consequently it was not so liable to produce head-ache as the ordinary coal gas, which contained a variable quantity of sulphuretted hydrogen. It was also considered superior to coal gas for lighting the lace manufactories of Nottinghamshire, in which county it had been principally used, as the latter had been found to interfere with the colour of the fabrics, an objection which did not apply to the former.

It was considered that gas could be produced much cheaper by this process than by the ordinary one, and that it was particularly adapted to places where a small supply only was required.

March 19, 1849.

fossa were broad, but not particularly deep, and were merely separated from the orbit by a small and imperfect process, so that to a casual observer they might appear

as one.

From these characters there could be no doubt but that the cranium was that of the great ant bear, (myrmecophago jubata), the tamanoir of Buffon.

How the animal had happened to be found in a guano deposit it was very dif ficult to say. From the bones having

been found, and not the dried animal mummified, it was most probable that it had been conveyed there after death probably by some of the carnivorous birds, whose excrements composed so large a portion of the material in which it was discovered.

Mr. Edwards exhibited some glass vessels coated with copper by the electrotype process. The process had been first made at Paris in 1844, and since then had been extensively employed. The vessels so coated were more durable than ordinary glass, as they were not so liable to be broken by violence or by the application of heat. A very thin coating of rosin existed between the metal and the glass, and this appeared to prevent the effects which would otherwise ensue from the unequal expansion and contraction of the two.

Mr. Edwards also exhibited a retort which was silvered in the interior, by a process recently patented.

Mr. Yates then read a few extracts from an unpublished manuscript, which gave some interesting particulars respecting the star chamber, in the time of Henry VII.

One of the extracts was a minute to summon the London corporation before it, to show cause why they had opposed the grant of a charter to the honorable company of tailors, now the merchant tailors' company.

Rev. Dr. Hume mentioned, that part of the original furniture of the star chamber was in the possession of Sir E. Cust.

Mr. Sansom then read a paper on the structure and character of mosses, illustrating it copiously by drawings and dried specimens.

An interesting discussion followed; all bore testimony to great interest attached to the study of this part of the vegetable kingdom, the extreme beauty discoverable in each variety, both by the unaided eye, and by the microscope. Dr. Dickenson spoke at some length on the importance of the mosses in the economy of nature, and how they almost invariably paved the way for future vegetation, by preparing a rich mould from their decayed parts.

A member illustrated the power possessed by some varieties of decomposing glass, an instance of which had been published some years ago.

Another member mentioned that one moss, the name of which he was unacquainted with, was to a certain degree an esculent. A friend of his had induced him to taste it, as it had a flavour remarkably like oysters. It did not however appear that any of the true mosses were used as articles of diet.

THE lectures during the past month have consisted of three-on Egypt, the Desert, and Jerusalem--by the Rev. H. H. Higgins, M.D.; four on the History of Architecture, in connexion with the Progress of Civilization, by H. Heighams, Esq.; and three on the History of European Languages, by Burlington B. Wale, Esq., of London. These courses have been well attended, and have been the means of imparting much useful information in a very agreeable form. Mr. Higgins' lectures comprised an account of his personal adventures and observations in the countries to which they relate, and were profusely illustrated by means of dissolving views, representing the most striking and picturesque scenes and objects on the route. The subject of architecture was well treated by Mr.

Heighams, who showed how extensively useful it may be made in connexion with the study of history and of national character. A number of beautiful transparencies were exhibited in the course of these lectures. Mr. Wale, in treating of the history of European languages, entered fully into the principles of philosophical investigation and grammatical analysis, and by means of the affinities discoverable in their dialects, threw much valuable light upon the origin and progress of the different races of mankind. During the present month, lectures will be delivered by Thomas Adams, Esq., the distinguished organist and composer of music; and by T. Rymer Jones, Esq., of scarcely less ability in another department, on animal instinct.

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RESUME OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROSCOE CLUB FOR MARCH.

THE first noteworthy event of the month in connexion with the Club, was the Conversazione on the 2nd instant, at which Mr. Thomas Bishop, the admired Vocalist, gave an excellent address, with most felicitous illustrations on "Vocal Expression." The next Conversazione was on the 16th, on "The Natural Order of Human Developement," introduced by a powerful Essay by Mr. R. W. Thom, the character of which may be judged of by the article on " Nobleness," &c., the conclusion of which appears in the present number of this Magazine. On both occasions the conversation which ensued on the conclusion of the introductory addresses, was in a high degree animated and improving. We consider the opportunity afforded at these meetings for canvassing the positions of the lecturer, a most valuable feature, and worthy of being copied by other institutions, where the lectures, as delivered at present, too often fall dead upon the mind of the audience. The subject considered at the re-union of the members on the 30th inst., was "The mens sana in corpore sano," ," introduced by an Essay by Mr. M. Stern, the teacher of German in connexion with the Club. On each occasion the musical entertainment which followed the more strictly intellectual, did great credit to the Harmonic Society of the Club, and the individual members who contributed to this delightful part of the proceedings.

On the 15th, an important special general meeting of the members took place, at which it was unanimously resolved to modify the constitution of the Club, by throwing its property into transferable shares, with the view of immediately paying off the liabilities incurred in establishing the institution, and of ultimately purchasing the premises now occupied by it, or others equally suitable for its purposes. The importance of this movement, upon the success of which depends the final and secure establishment of the Club, will, we hope, inspire every well-wisher of the institution to a zealous co-operation in accomplishing the objects in view, so that in our next number we may have the gratification of announcing its complete success.

The questions resolved in the Discussion Class during the month were, the expediency of a change from indirect to direct taxation, and of a change from the present system in England of

compelling unanimity in juries. After a smart debate of two nights, the former was carried in the affirmative without opposition. The latter was also affirmed, but only by a majority of one.

The next subject for discussion is the repeal of the Navigation Laws, which question will be opened on Monday, the 9th instant; the intervening Monday evening being set aside for a conversation on Phrenology.

NOTE TO THE ARTICLE ON THE ORIGIN OF THE ROSCOE CLUB IN NO. I. THE writer of the notice of the "ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF THE ROSCOE CLUB," which appeared in our last publication, regrets that having written the article hurriedly, he omitted to do sufficient justice to the services of Mr. J. H. SAMMOND, to whose instrumentality the early success of the Institution was mainly indebted. The writer regrets the omission the more, that he was himself an eye-witness of the indefatigable efforts of Mr. S. to bring the Club into operation; in fact, it is not too much to say, that it was Mr. Sammond who infused life-blood into the veins and arteries of the embryo institution, and that by his continued exertions animation was sustained, and ultimately a healthy constitution produced

Notice to Correspondents.

All Communications designed for the Roscoe Magazine should be addressed "To the Editor of the Roscoe Magazine, Roscoe Club, Clayton Square, Liverpool."

The appearance of the following articles is unavoidably postponed till next number :"The Use of the Fine Arts in Decoration," by Mr. F. Howard-"The Surnames of Kings," by Mr. Hogg-" The Great Education Question," by the Auhor of Mirabeau-and one or two others of minor consequence. Under consideration:-A Tale, by T. C. T."Early Rising Societies"-"La Coquette," by G. L.-"A Song by the Way"" The Natural Philosophy of Language," by G. L. A continuation of the last mentioned article is required before its scope, object, and method of treatment can be properly judged of.

The lines by " Daleth," received through the Mercury Office, are in some respects unsuitable for our pages. He (or she) is capable of better things. We shall give favourable consideration to other communications from the same pen.

The brief essay on "Man" is wholly inadequate to the subject in every respect. We do not like to discourage the young writer, however. Let him try again," and try something more within the compass of his powers. We are obliged to "H. C." for the extracts referring to Roscoe; but our wish is, to receive original communications only. Our P. D. has received, with some compunction, the verses assigned him by our sexagenarian friend, N. M., with so much good humoured foresight of their legitimate application.

In our next number will be given an interesting memoir of Sir T. Fowell Buxton, by Miss H. M. Rathbone.

Printed by E. MATTHEWs, at his General Printing Establishment, 35, South John Street, Liverpool.