Mineral Forest.-A subterranean forest has been discovered in the coal formation near Glasgow. The trees are numerous: they occur many feet below the surface, and are vertically imbedded in the sandstone. The trunks of the trees are abruptly cut off by the superincumbent shale. The bark is converted into coal; but the woody structure for a considerable space downwards, is of a shaly nature.

Tanning. An apothecary in the neighbourhood of Narbonne has published a Treatise, extolling the husks of grapes which have been deprived of their alcohol by distillation, as an excellent substitute for bark in tanning leather. After having prepared the skins in the usual manner, he places them in the pits, and covers them with the grape husks. From five and thirty to five and forty days are sufficient to complete the tanning. This method, according to the author, affords the following advantages :-The operation is much more rapid; it is much more economical; the leather has an agreeable odour instead of that of tan; and it is twice as durable as leather tanned by bark.

Novel Application of Steam-Steam has lately been applied with great success in some of the French forts, in the destruction of vermin on board of great vessels. After having carefully closed the hatches and every aperture, the steam is suddenly introduced, and in twenty-four hours every living thing which may have been brought in with the cargoes is destroyed.

Fossil Belemnite.—It has hitherto been a matter of much speculation among geologists, whether the curious fossil, so abundant in some lime-stones, and known by the name of Belemnite, ever contained an animal; or if it was the spine of a sea-urchin, or not at all of animal origin. It appears, that a French naturalist

has satisfactorily solved this question, having found in the department of Farn, all the parts of the molluscous animal in company with the fossil.

Education of the People in France. In no fewer than one hundred and nine cities and towns in France, institutions have already been, or are about to be established, at the public expense, for the instruction, by able professors, of a portion of the industrious classes of the people in the geometrical and mechanical knowledge applicable to the useful arts.

The number of pupils is estimated
Such efforts are worthy of a

at between four and five thousand. great nation.

Volcanos in Central Asia.—The discovery of volcanos in the central plains of Asia which have always hitherto been considered to be in proximity to the ocean, is among the most interesting features in the late journey of De Humboldt. This celebrated traveller is about to present an account of these to the Academy of Paris.

Medical Botany.-The Medico-Botanical Society of London has offered a gold and silver medal for the best essays on the questions:-"What is the vegetable substance which could be employed with success in the cure of hydrophobia?" and "On the medical qualities and uses of any indigenous plant which is not yet sufficiently known, or on new uses and applications of any other indigenous plants.

Potatoes.-A French publication denies to Sir John Sinclair the merit of having discovered the means of producing a fine colour from the flower of the potatoe; and asserts, that the Frenchmen of science have long stated the practicability of applying the water and the flower of the potatoe for the purposes of dyeing. It says, that M. Fouques has shewn by, experiments, that linen and cotton, plunged into potatoe water, acquire a grey colour; and that, in 1817, a chemist of Copenhagen pointed out in a scientific journal, a simple method of obtaining a fine yellow from the flowers of the solanum tuberosum. He dyed with it linen, cotton, and even woollen cloth, which took a very solid green colour on immersion in a blue dye.

New Timber Tree.-The French Academy, from the report of some of its members, advise the introduction of the zelhoa or planera, formerly called twisted elm of Siberia, and which grows on the coast of the Caspian and Black Seas into our latitudes; it appears, that it promises well for carpentry, burning, and other purposes.

Literary Notices.

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DR. LARDNER has published the eighteenth volume of his Cabinet Cyclopedia," containing Vol. II. of Sir J. Mackintosh's History of England.

If this work continues as it has begun, we would place it in the hands of the rising generation, as the most valuable and enlightened of commentaries on our English Constitution. Every page is marked by the reflection and knowledge thrown out by a mind as highly gifted as it is highly cultivated.

The

Sketches of Spain and Morocco.-By Sir Arthur Brooke. author of " Travels to the North Cape of Europe" has, in these pages, gone over a great extent of ground, where but little novelty could be expected. He has also traversed parts of Africa, respecting the present state of which little is known. His work is pleasing and unaffected, though not decidedly elegant: and it is precisely one of those entertaining books of travel which are well calculated to suit the general reader, without presenting any strong claims to perpetuity beyond the limits usual to the genus of "Sketches."

Vol. IV. of Dr. Lardner's Family Library is " An Annual Retrospect of Public Affairs for 1831, Vol. II. The ability of the author must recommend the present volume: it contains an account of the Belgic revolutions, our own domestic politics, and the whole of the great political changes that have lately been proposed.

Mr. S. Leigh has published another valuable work, "A Guide to Wales and Monmouthshire," which, like all his previous publications, is neat and interesting. To any one in anticipation of the enjoyment of a tour through Wales, we recommend this volume as a very pleasant and useful accompaniment.

Mr. Bernay's German Poetical Anthology deserves every success; for, as a class-book for students, it certainly merits it.

The first part of the History and Antiquities of the County of Buckingham, by G. Lipscombe, M. D., quarto, is announced for publication; also a new History and Description of the Town of Woburn, its Abbey, and Vicinity; a Biography of the Russell Family; and a Guide to Woburn Abbey, with an account of the Paintings, Sculpture, &c. By J. D. Parry, M. A.

**

The long-expected Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, in four volumes, quarto, is now before the public : it contains a vast collection of general information, as to the interior of our country, the ancient and modern state of the towns and villages, their origin, agricultural and manufacturing resources, public buildings, institutions, peculiar privileges, curiosities, and a variety of other matters, which appear to have been collected with great assiduity, and arranged with considerable care. The volumes are handsomely printed, by Bensley; and the maps very tastefully engraved, by Starling; the whole constituting a work of considerable merit, and comprehending a greater body of topographical information than any work heretofore produced.

Berlin.-There is now publishing at Berlin a periodical Review, entitled “Kritischer Wegweiser." The object of it is to improve geographical, mathematical, physical, and hydrographical science. The first part of the Review contains notices of maps, with remarks on their merits and defects. In the second part is given geographical and hydrographical illustrations and observations, with many useful remarks connected with various departments of science.

New Patents Sealed, 1831.

To William Dixon, of Walsall, in the county of Stafford, brass cock founder, he having had communicated unto him by a certain person residing abroad, an invention of an improvement or improvements on the cock or tap, applicable to fluids, liquids, and gases.-Sealed 21st April, 6 months.

To Joshua Taylor Beale, of Church Lane, Whitechapel, in the county of Middlesex, engineer, for his having invented an improvement in certain apparatus for separating a portion of aqueous vapour from the vapour of alcohol, in the process of distilling and rectifying spirituous liquors.—30th April, 6 months.

To George Stephenson, of Liverpool, civil engineer, for his having invented improvements in the mode of constructing wheels for railway carriages.-30th April, 4 months.

To William Gutteridge, of the parish of Saint John, Clerkenwell, in the county of Middlesex, civil engineer, for his having invented certain improvements in apparatus for distilling and other purposes.-18th May, 6 months.

To Robert Burton Cooper, of Battersea Fields, in the county of Surry, Esq. for his having invented an improvement or improvements on a cock or tap, applicable to fluids, liquids, and gases; and for applying the said improvement or improvements to other useful purposes. 18th May, 6 months.