The above facts, the pains taken by Dewan KANH JEE, in translating from English, which he understood very imperfectly, and in which (as he acknowledges) he was greatly assisted by the kindness of HENRY DOUGLAS, Esq. of Patna, and his extracts from the papers of the Delhi mathematician, are strong proofs, notwithstanding the present fashionable doctrines, of the value set by Natives on translations from English works, when well chosen and judiciously executed.

TUFUZZOOL HOSAIN KHAUN's choice of Arabic for the vehicle of his translations is also a proof that intelligent Natives do not see the advantages of proscribing that language so clearly as we.

[To be Continued.]

II.-Madras Journal of Literature and Science, published under the auspices of the Madras Literary Society and Auxiliary Royal Asiatic Society, edited by the Secretary, No. 1, October 1833, price to Subscribers 3 Rs. per quarter. We cannot but feel highly complimented by the appearance of a new periodical at Madras, professedly founded on the model of our own journal, and imitating our arrangements even to the style of the title page, the price, the number of pages, and the gratuitous conduct of the editorial department. We look upon it not as a rival but as a powerful auxiliary, and we hail it as a guarantee of the revival of the efforts of the Madras Literary Society. The publication of Researches in an occasional quarto volume at distant periods has been adduced as a bar rather than an incentive to contributions of a learned nature, while the limited sale of such works makes the printing charge fall heavy on a small Society: this has been partially felt in Calcutta; and it has led at Bombay, as at Madras, to the absorption of the institutions there into branches of the Royal Association at home. Under the new system however of giving rapid publication, free of cost, to short interesting and ephemeral papers (in which the Bombay Geographical Society may also easily join by a similar journal for the west of India), the independence and orientality of each might still be assured; while by a combination of the means and labours of the three Indian Societies, a volume of Researches might simultaneously be kept in hand at Calcutta for their more erudite and lengthened communications. We have not room to notice the contents of the Madras Journal at present, but we shall not scruple to extract matter that will be interesting to our own readers. We sincerely regret the untimely end of Lieut.-Colonel COOMBS, whom we perceive to have been one of the chief promoters of its establishment.

VIII.-Miscellaneous.

Circular Instructions from the Geological Society, for the Collection of Geological specimens, with a plate.

[We beg the attention of our Indian geologists to these simple instructions; to which we have only to add that numbers should be put on the stones, where possible, as paper labels are soon destroyed by insects in this country.]

1. The Geological Society begs to impress upon the minds of all collectors, that the chief objects of their research should be specimens of all those rocks, marls, or clays, which contain shells, plants, or any sort of petrifaction.

2. The petrifactions should, if possible, be kept united with portions of the rock, sand, or clay, in which they are found; it being more desirable that the mass should

be examined carefully when brought to England, than that any separation of the shells should be attempted at the time of their collection. This injunction, however, does not apply to those cases in which the shells fall readily from their surrounding matrix; but, in this event, great care must be taken of the petrifactions, by rolling them in paper, or some soft material.

3. If several varieties of stone are seen in the same cliff or quarry, and particuJarly if they contain any petrifactions, specimens of each should be taken, and numbered according to their order of succession; marking the uppermost No. 1., and thence descending with Nos. 2, 3, &c., making as correct an estimate as time will permit of the thickness of the beds. None of these specimens need be more than 3 in. square, and one and a half or two thick. (fig. 1.)

4. If the rocks are stratified, that is, divided into beds, state whether they are horizontal, inclined, or twisted. If inclined, observe pretty nearly at what angle, and to what point of the compass they dip; if twisted, a sketch, however slight, is desirable.-N. B. The true dip can seldom be ascertained without examining the beds on more sides than one. (fig. 2.)

5. One kind of rock is occasionally seen to cross and cut through the beds of another. In such a case, observe whether the beds are in the same plane on each side of the intruding rock; if not, mark the extent of the disturbance, and also if there be any difference in the nature of the stone of which the beds are composed, at those points where they touch the intruding rock. Take specimens from the junction, and make a sketch of it. (fig. 3.)

6. Where there are wells, get a list of the beds sunk through in digging them ; specifying the thickness of each stratum in its order, from the surface downwards. 7. In volcanic districts, procure a list of the volcanoes now or recently in action, and of those which are extinct; stating their position, their distance from the sea or any great lake; the extent, nature, and, if possible, the age, of particular streams of lava, or the relative age of different streams: also whether the lava currents conform to the valleys, or are seen at different heights above the present rivers; and also if any gravel beds be discoverable beneath the streams of lava. (fig. 4.)

8. Note the names of all places known to contain coal, bitumen, salt, alabaster, metallic ores, or any valuable minerals, specifying their extent, and the nature of the rocks in which they occur; but do not bring away large quantities of iron ore, spar, salt, &c.

9. In cases of coal-pits, specimens of the coal itself and of the beds passed through to obtain it (especially when plants have been found) will be valuable. State whether limestone, iron ore, or springs of bitumen are found near the coal; and if the limestone contains shells, collect abundance of them.

10. Make particular inquiries whether, in digging gravel-pits, or beds of surface clay, mud, and sand, the workmen are in the habit of finding any bones of quadrupeds; and obtain as many of them as possible, selecting particularly teeth and vertebræ.

11. Search also for bones in cracks of rock, and in caverns. In the latter, the lowest pits or hollows are most likely to contain bones; and if the solid rock be covered with a crust of spar or marl, break through it, and dig out any bones, horns, or pebbles from beneath. (fig. 5.)

12. Observe if the surface of the country be strewed over with large blocks of stone; remark whether these blocks are angular or rounded, and whether they are

of the same or a different nature from the stratum on which they are laid. If the latter, endeavour to trace them to their native bed. Note the different heights at which gravel is found, and whether or not it is composed of the same rocks as the adjoining country.

13. Nautical collectors are requested to separate and preserve any shells or corals which may be brought up, either with the lead or the anchor; noting the depth and the locality.

14. On coasts where there is a considerable ebb tide, and where the shore consists of rocks or clay containing fossils, some of the best of these petrifactions may be looked for, by breaking up with a pick-axe the shelving beds exposed at low water.

15. In making sections, or memorandums, distinguish well upon the coast, between masses which have simply slipped and fallen away, and the real cliff itself. 16. When drift wood is met with at sea, collect pieces of it: note the longitude and latitude, the distance from the nearest land, and the direction of the current by which it has been borne. Examine well the state of the floating mass, and see whether any roots or leaves be attached to it.

17. Every specimen should be labelled on the spot, or as soon after collection as possible, and then rolled in strong paper, or any soft material, to protect its edges.

18. A heavy hammer to break off the specimens from the rock, and a smaller one to trim them into shape, are indispensable. If the larger hammer have a pick at one end, it will be found very useful in digging up and flaking off those thin shelly beds which usually contain the best preserved shells, &c. A chisel or two are also desirable.

19. The recommendation expressed in the instruction No. 1, may be repeated: -That it should be a general maxim with geological collectors to direct their principal attention to the procuring of fossil organic remains, both animal and vegetable. These are always of value when brought from distant countries, especially when their localities are carefully marked; but when the rocks contain no petrifactions, very small specimens are sufficient.

2.-Mirrors of Fusible Alloy.

BERZELIUS has found that by the union of nineteen parts of lead and twenty-nine of tin, fusible alloy is produced, which affords, on cooling in thin plates, very bright surfaces. A convex lens dipped several times into the melted alloy, yielded from the surface dipped, a concave mirror of great lustre. This, mounted upon plaster, was preserved for some time in the air untarnished. Dust destroys these mirrors, which will not bear wiping.-Traité de Chimie.

3.-Liverpool and Manchester Railway.

It appears from the account of the Company for the half year ending the 31st December last, that notwithstanding a diminution of nearly 74,000 in the number of passengers during July and August, (supposed to have been caused by the cholera), the loss on this account had, in a considerable degree, been made up by the greater quantity of merchandize conveyed, and a reduction in the general expenses of management. The total number of passengers during the half year, was 182,823 -the receipts £43,420. The merchandize conveyed amounted to 86,642 tonsreceipts £37,781. The expenses, including £12,646 for repairs of engines, amounted to £48,278, leaving a clear profit of £37,781, which enables the Company to make a dividend, for the half year, of four guineas per share.-Mech. Mag.