ed by one of her Senators in Congress, to cut cord is rather longer than the length of the the weight thereof multiplied into its velocity) off all our western trade. There can be no boat. Suppose them vertical and opposed, to rend itself separate. And two hulls that are question that such is the intention of Philadel-united at the extremities, and the curve pre- so heavy as to sink, if filled, doubles the danger, phia, and there is much reason to fear that served by braces in the form of an X; and because the sinking of one upsets the whole. they are much nearer to effecting it than we that close to each brace a screw bolt ties the Whatever depresses one more than the other, are in New-York aware of. two arcs together, pressing on the ends of the disturbs the steering; but a single hull may The navigation of the Allegany with light braces, somewhat let in. Such a frame placed heel without diminishing the power of the and powerful steamboats, together with an im-vertically would be immensely strong to resist helm. mediate connection of this river by a railroad perpendicular pressure. Two such frames, It seems reasonable to think that a single with the Erie canal at Buffalo, could prevent it; thus placed parallel to each other, resting on hull, with very ample power, will be the swiftand more effectually when the great railroad in the floor timbers, and connected with the est vessel, because she may receive the form contemplation from this city to the lake, beams and ribs, makes a very stiff yet very and proportions nearly which Nature-gives to touching the head of that river at Hamilton, light vessel; and the timber employed being quick swimming fish. Naval architecture has shall be made; and then the branch to Buffa- acted on lengthwise, may be very small, yet taken this hint, and follows it out as far as is lo, (50 miles,) would serve both to connect the abundantly strong in that position. consistent with the stability of sailing vessels. canal with the river, and to connect that city The frames or arcs project astern far enough One that is shaped the same at both ends, canwith New-York by a good winter route. to bear the wheel, the weight of which is sus-not sail as well as when gradually diminishing I am not, however, the only interested party; tained, consequently, by the whole of the hull, aft from the forward third. Since the resistall who wish New-York to retain a good share even to the head; and thus the wheel may be ance to the velocity is well known to increase of the western trade must feel interested in placed so as to act in the dead water of the in mueh higher ratio than the speed, the lightthe subject. wake, producing there much more effect than er the draft the greater promise of rapidity, as Having been on the Allegany while a mem-close up. The cylinders are horizontal, and flat vessels sail fastest before the wind. ber of the United States Board of Engineers connected with the arcs, which bear their On a large scale, Blanchard's boat may have for Internal Improvement, and having been weight and action. The boilers also are uncommon breadth and adaptation to the Ohio; early in life practically engaged in improving placed so as to be borne by the arcs; and if and on the Hudson she may have both stern river navigation, I then considered this route as the boat is for canal use, they are in-board in and side wheels. The more breadth of paddle of very great consequence to the commerce of rooms separated by a very strong glancing applied, the less depth will be required, and New-York, and very easily made navigable for shield, to guard against explosions, though the more advantageous the application. The steamboats of a light draft of water; and when otherwise effectually guarded against. If for cylinders may be upright for the side wheels, Blanchard's experiment thereon was an-rivers, they are placed on the guards, and out-and horizontal for the stern wheel; all susnounced, a few years later, sought and con- side of the shields. On rivers there may also be tained by the arcs: and by thus distributing tracted for his services and the right of his in-side wheels: and for rapids, where the current or dividing the power, more may be employed. vention exclusively for the companies I might is too swift, Blanchard's invention to push or The weight of an engine increases in a greater form for its use; for others as well as for the set the boat forward is applied. This is pow-ratio than the power, therefore three engines Hudson and for the Delaware and Raritan canal erful enough even to lift while it pushes ahead, would comprehend a greater proportion of powtrade, as permitting of an extensive communi- and is a combination very useful on the Ohio er to weight, than one or two. cation with the southern waters for if a short in a low state of the water. The resistance sustained by a body moving canal were made in North Carolina from Cape This branch of navigation is becoming too in a fluid, is proportioned to the square of its Fear river to the Waccamaw in South Caroli-extensive and valuable in our country not to velocity, and the area of its section immersed. na, and from Winyaw Bay to the Santee, and have made safety a very important point. Be- Whatever the shape of the vessel, her displacea marsh cut made around Bull's Bay, there sides the shield to glance off an explosion, the ment of water must be a quantity equal to her would be steam navigation inland from New-use of a float, with mechanism to ring a bell weight. In point of draft, or section immersed, York to Georgia. in the boiler itself, when the water gets too nothing is gained by a twin boat; but in point The peculiarity of Blanchard's boat, which low, is another precaution: another, to cause of resistance, something is lost. In his work assures to it great speed, is the combination similar machinery to open valves to give no- on the Steam Engine, Mr. Renwick observes of means to construct a very light hull, having tice by steam: another, a self-regulator of the that "an obvious advantage will be gained by extraordinary vertical strength, so as to be supply: another, to prevent sediment and con-increasing the size of the vessels, for the reable to carry a stern wheel, and much more than cretions on the bottom, (of which I shall give sistances vary as the square of similar diusual power in proportion to size. It may be you a description in a future article.) We mensions, while the tonnage increases with said to combine ship carpentry and house car-have, besides, several improvements in the their cubes." pentry with the principle of the arched bridge. boiler to use anthracite, reducing the quantity It is evident that a boat upon Blanchard's This mode of construction, it will be seen by so as to make it about one-third the expense of plan, as broad and long as Burden's, and 32 the prefixed sketch, distributes the stress over pine wood; so also as to apply the fire without feet wide, would draw but half as much water, the whole fabric. A great vertical force may internal flues. and present no more cross section; and while bear on the arc frames; and if much longitudinal The Allegany boats can use the coal of the the resistance would be the same, minus the impulse is received, it is at their extremities. upper branches of this river, as well as that friction of two sides, she would have the adEven the cylinders of the engine are borne by obtained at Pittsburg. A branch railroad to vantages of not parting the water at so much these are frames; and the action and reaction Buffalo would carry coal to the lake boats. Adepth, and of avoiding by her shape the retardof the power is all included within them. The twin boat would not be so safe for the Alleganying force following or occurring at the stern. shell of the hull buoys up or carries the ma-as a single one. The liability of a twin boat to Burden's are 8 feet diameter. chinery, without being relied on to bear any strike aground, or against another vessel or ob- For these reasons mainly, which are in stacle, suddenly with ove of the hulls, causes their nature, indisputable, I am led to think Suppose two arcs of a circle of which the the momentum of the other (a force equal to that Blanchard's kind of boat with stern and strain. side wheels must be very favorable to the effect of the power, since with that of the stern wheel only, they perform so well. Westward down along the Sus- Canesteo to Angelica 110 "C 20 30 315 280, Thence by the Allegany to Pitts In reference to the commerce of the west, this steam-boat evidently possesses the properties demanded by the rapidity of some parts of the Allegany, and the shallowness of some parts of the Ohio in the summer season. It is of great consequence, indeed, that as the New-burg, Orleans market is not much sought from the descending 2 feet in a mile, in all 630 feet. north at mid-summer, the western trade on The time, at 8 miles an hour on the railroad, the Ohio, the Cumberland and the Tennessee, will be 40 hours. and even the Missouri, may advantageously Down the river 20 66 rely on a direct and cheap way to a northern To Cincinnati, 439 miles, at 12 miles port. an hour 37 97 66 great arc of the Union, from the head of the Allegany to the head of the Tennessee. For this reason an Albany company might commence this operation, if the railroad company should not do it in anticipation of the accomplishment of their work. J. L. SULLIVAN. P. S. There has lately been an improvement in steam boilers, made by Mr. L. Disbrow, and owned by him and Joseph Goddard, Esq., and tested in the steamboat of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, by which there is a saving made, compared with wood, of 45 to 50 per cent. in the expense of fuel. It consists of a number of conical furnaces, the base of which is the grate, the apices connected by a small flue. These all immersed in the water and half full of coal, make a steady and strong fire. They are fed near the top of the cones, by horizontal openings. On the Preservation of Timber, &c. By A. B. Black Rock railroad will answer well. In 1823 I The This route is the more important, since the avowed intention of Pennsylvania, because the hope cherished by some that a canal might be In the spring of the year, when the water is made or allowed by that state along the shore high, the passage down must be even quicker, of the Allegany, cannot be expected, contrary and the merchants are then solicitous to reach to the interest of Philadelphia. home early with their purchases. But it may be said here, as it has been said In the autumn, after the 1st October, the Al[For the American Railroad Journal.] there, in the Quarterly Review, that the rail- legany will be deemed safer than the lake, and SIR,-I will contribute a little of my experiroad from New-York to Allegany river, "become a permanent portion of national There will be two months earlier access to the laid a hemlock plank on the surface of ground, "will the river will be open later than the canal. ence, which satisfies me that the plan of the "wealth, and not only add to the comfort and New-York market for produce from the west "riches of the present generation, but exert an this way than by the lake. corresponding with a grade prepared for a rail"influence upon the remotest posterity. Of It will be important that the boats be power-accumulated so as to be about even with the road. Without grass or vegetation, dirt had "all the sources of national wealth, internal ful. The speed of steam freighting, even commerce is not only the most secure, but on the Hudson, makes up for the cheap-upper surface, except at one end, which had "the most productive. Nations that are ness and slowness of sloop navigation, which become covered with gravel. Last season, afmerely agricultural are proverbially poor. averages four days, while the tow-boats run ter the plank had lain ten years, I had occasion "It is far otherwise when the enterprise of the passage regularly in 24 hours. The navi- to take it up. I expected to find the under side "the industrious is directed to every object." gation of the Allegany will be at least half as and hard as if it had been under cover. rotten, but found the whole plank as sound "All the means which facilitate both per-important to the state as the Hudson itself. "sonal communication, and a cheap and rapid But no time is to be lost in defensive meause of it was to walk upon from the kitchen "interchange of commodities, are of the ut-sures against the vigorous enterprize of Philadoor. A. B. "most value and importance. They have been delphia. She will, if we delay, have accom- RAILWAY BETWEEN AMSTERDAM AND CO"so regarded by all enlightened nations; and plished her works, completed her system of in- LOGNE.-The Prussian journals say that an "in truth, the attention that has been paid to terception, and bound the West to her capital iron railroad will be made between Amsterdam "them is one of the surest criterions by which in fetters of credit. The wishes even of the||and Cologne, that the work will be confided to "to judge of the advance a people has made western people of that state will be frustrated. Lieut. Col. Bake, of the Dutch engineers, and "in civilization. Progress in the Fine Arts is a The expedient that will take least time, is to that a Dutch civil engineer, named Braede, is "far less certain indication of refinement connect Erie canal at Buffalo with the bend of already engaged in the preparatory surveys. "than roads and inland navigation." Such are the opinions entertained in Phila-statesmen think. the Allegany in Cattaraugus, as our leading The plan has already received the sanction of delphia, where practice evinces their accept-and one track might be soon made. The distance is 50 miles, the kings of Prussia and the Netherlands. But to ance throughout the state. wait for a canal to be made from Rochester to mittee, consisting of three officers of artillery, PERCUSSION LOCKS FOR THE ARMY.-A comPermit me now briefly to consider the prac- Olean, however useful the work, involves too is now actively engaged at Woolwich in a tical effect of this navigation of the Allegany much delay as a defensive measure. combined with the use of the railroad from This railroad might be considered a branch course of practical experiments, of which the hence thither, in its way to lake Erie, compared of the main line in reference to the winter object is to ascertain the propriety, or otherwith the useful effect of the railroad without travel, or practically so. To use again wise, of introducing percussion locks for the the language of the Quarterly Review, army, in lieu of the present flint and steel. No till the firing of 24,000 rounds of cartridges A report is, we hear, to be made to government shall have afforded grounds for a decided opinion. The lake being closed in the spring, nearly" populous state, willing to pledge its resources as late at Dunkirk, where the road will ter- for the redemption of loans, can alone comminate, as at Buffalo, about two months more" mand that confidence which will justify inof lake navigation will belong to the commu-"vestment of the property of individuals, or nication through Pennsylvania; but as the" what is of even more importance, will draw Allegany and the Ohio are open earlier than" to our country the wealth of foreign capital-es have recently been carried on in Paris by WATER IN FLOUR.-Most important researchthe Pennsylvania canal can be, unless a very" ists." mild winter, much freight that would have MM. Payen and Persoz, on the several points This remark is applicable and encouraging in the chemical history of bread, flour, and gone by the way of Philadelphia to the central to the southern states. Public investment may grain. Their observations are not yet publishwest, or to the centre of Ohio by the lake, will be compensated in the effects. Erie canal ed in detail; but we select the following as bedescend the Allegany and pass from Cincin- doubled the price of produce in the western ing one of the very highest commercial dietecnati north, in less time, and probably at less counties. When such works are accomplish- tic importance. They have found that 100 expense. The consequence will be that New-ed by public credit, the loans may be paid off parts of flour, sold as dry, and imparting no York retains her full share of the western com- by selling stock to private capitalists, who can moist stain to blotting paper, contain, under merce rather more advantageously than Penn- then buy in, because immediate returns war-atmospheric circumstances, 19 per cent. of sylvania can by her canal, though in a milder rant it. water, and but 89 of dry nutritive matter; that region. The difference between our country and oth-flour exposed to moist air contains as much as Let us consider the distances and time, ers, is, that their resources are swallowed up 23 per cent. of water; that the finest flour emwhich I do with the more confidence from in the necessity of maintaining large standing ployed by the bakers contains 16 per cent. under knowing the ground by observation. armies. Our country only wants cheap trans-ordinary circumstances. In summer these It is most probable that this route will avail portation to be prosperous. It has been well proportions are reduced, but they are remarkaof the Harlem railroad as far as opposite Rock-remarked, that "When a state enters into a bly increased in moist weather. Thus, the land, gaining the shore of Hudson by following" system of internal improvement, if the com- quantity of flour which, by weight, at the rate that of Harlem river, and crossing, pass thence" pletion of the public works shall add to the of 5 per cent. of water, would produce 150 lbs. to Ramapo valley, (unless the Company should" value of individual property as much as they of bread, will produce but 1273 lbs., when the avail of the Paterson railroad to reach the cost, the state is no loser (if they receive no same weight of flour is purchased in long consame point, the ground being favorable; this," revenue;) but if besides, they pay the in- tinued wet weather. The prices of flour should, however, is leaving the state.) consequently, in all seasons, be based on the quantity of dry matter it contains, and which a simple and rapidly performed experiment would exactly indicate. Thus, by placing 100 grains of flour on a plate, and heating them on a new era" in the art, when steamboats will a vessel of boiling water for one hour, the loss conquer the difficulties of rapid rivers, and sustained will denote the precise quantity of Ilcombining the means of safety, traverse the water mixed with the flour.-[Universal Corn Reporter.] P a By all this, we see that if the skull is to be considered as an arch, and the parietal bones as forming that arch, they must be secured at the temporal and sphenoid* bones, the points from which they spring. And, in point of fact, where is it that the skull yields when a man falls, so as to strike the top of his head upon the ground?-in the temples. And yet the joinings are so secure, that the extremity of the bone does not start from its connections. It must be fractured before it is spurred out, and in that case only does the upper part of the arch yield. But the best illustration of the form of the head is the dome. A dome is a vault rising from a circular Apparatus contrived by Dr. Hare for separa- for obtaining carbonic oxide from oxalic or elliptical base; and the human skull is, in ting Carbonic Oxide from Carbonic Acid, acid, by distillation with sulphuric acid in fact, an elliptical surmounted dome, which latter tern means that the dome is higher by means of Lime Water. [From the glass retort. The gaseous product consists Mechanics' Magazine.] than the radius of its base. Taking this of equal volumes of carbonic oxide and carLime water being introduced in suffi- bonic acid, which being received in a bell matter historically, we should presume that the dome was the most difficult piece of cient quantity into the inverted bell glass, glass, communicating as above described by another smaller bell glass, C, is supported a pipe with the bell glass C, may be trans. architecture, since the first dome erected within it, as represented in this figure. Both ferred into the latter, through the pipe, by appears to have been at Rome, in the reign of the bells have perforated necks. The in- opening the cocks. of Augustus-the Pantheon-which is still As the gaseous mixverted bell is furnished with a brass cap, ture enters the bell C, the lime water sub. entire. The dome of St. Sophia, in Conhaving a stuffing-box attached to it, through sides. As soon as As soon as a sufficient quantity of stantinople, built in the time of the emperor Justinian, fell three times during its erection: which the tube D, of copper, slides air-tight. the gas has entered, the gaseous mixture and the dome of the cathedral of Florence About the lower end of this tube, the neck may, by means of the gum elastic bag and stood unfinished 120 years for want of an of the gum elastic bag is tied. The neck of the hand, be subjected to repeated jets of architect. Yet we may, in one sense, say the other bell is furnished with a cap and lime water, and thus depurated of all the cock, surmounted by a gallows screw, by carbonic acid. By raising the water in the that every builder who tried it, as well as means of which a lead pipe, P P, with brass outer bell, A, the purified carbonic oxide every laborer employed, had the most perknob at the end suitably perforated, may be may be propelled, through the cock and lead fect model in his own head. It is obvious fastened to it, or removed at any moment.pipe, into any vessel to which it may be de-enough, that the weight of the upper part of the dome must disengage the stones from Suppose this pipe, by aid of another brass sirable to have it transferred. each other which form the lower circle, and knob at the other extremity, to be attached to the perforated neck of a very tall bell GALWAY.-The population is, we believe, tend to break up their joinings, and conseglass filled with water upon a shelf of the above 40,000; of these a lamentable number quently to press or thrust outwards the cirpneumatic cistern, on opening a communica- is in a state of pauperism. The annals of cular wall on which it rests. No walls can tion between the bells, the water will subside Galway are carefully preserved from the support the weight, or rather, the lateral in the tall bell glass, over the cistern, and year 1280, and afford most interesting details, thrust, unless each stone of the dome be solthe air of the bell glass, C, being drawn It was once a great depot for Spanish wines. dered to another, or the whole hooped toge into it, the lime water will rise into and ocThe Galway females of the peasant class ther and girded. The dome of St. Paul's cupy the whole of the space within the lat- are fond of red petticoats aad flannel or frieze has a very strong double iron chain, linked As soon as this is effected, the cocks jackets. The Wexford ones of blue striped together, at the bottom of the cone; and semust be closed, and the tall bell glass re-linsey. But there is another much more dis. veral other lesser chains between that and placed by a small one filled with water, and tinguishing and important mark between them. the cupola, which may be seen in the section of St. Paul's engraved by Hooker. furnished with a gallows screw and cock. In Galway, the Irish language is in very ter. This bell being attached to the knob of general use; so much so that, in many dis- * In the Greek, sphenoid-in the Latin, cuneiformthe lead pipe, to which the tall bell bad been tricts, English is hardly understood. In like a wedge, because it is wedged among the other bones fastened before, the apparatus is ready for Wexford, Irish is totally unknown.-[Quar- of the head; but these processes, called wedges, are more use. I have employed it in the new process terly Journal.] like dovetails, which enter into the irregularities of the Thones, and hold them locked. The bones of the head are securely boundsion for the security of the brain; and what betwixt the hands from its extremities, it will together, so that the anatomist finds, when is most admirable, there is an entirely differ-resist, notwithstanding it elasticity, and when every thing is gone, save the bone itself, ent principle introduced here; for whereas, it does give way, it will be with a jerk. and there is neither muscle, ligament, nor in the head, the whole aim is firmness in the Such would be the effect on the spine if membrane of any kind to connect the bones, joinings of the bones, in the spine which it stood upright, one bone perpendicular to they are still securely joined, and it requires supports the head the object to be attained is another, for then the weight would bear his art to burst them asunder; and for this mobility or pliancy. In the head, each bone equally; the spine would yield neither to purpose he must employ a force which shall is firmly secured to another; in the spine, one side nor to the other, and consequently produce a uniform pressure from the centre the bones are not permitted to touch; there there would be a resistance from the presoutwards; and all the sutures must receive is interposed a soft and elastic material, sure on all sides being balanced. We, the pressure at one time, and equally, or they which takes off the jar that would result from therefore, see the great advantage resulting will not give way. And now is the time to the contact of the bones. We shall consi- from the human spine being in the form of observe another circumstance, which calls der this subject a little more in detail. an italic f. It is prepared to yield in the difor our admiration. So little of accident is The spinal column, as it is called, serves rection of its curves; the pressure is of nethere in the joining of the bones, that the three purposes: it is the great bond of union cessity more upon one side of the column edge of a bone at the suture lies over the betwixt all the parts of the skeleten; it than on the other; and its elasticity is imadjoining bones at one part, and under it at forms a tube for the lodgment of the spinal mediately in operation without a jerk. another, which, with the dovetailing of the su-marrow, a part of the nervous system as im- yields, recoils, and so forms the most perture, as before described, holds each bone in portant to life as the brain itself; and lastly, fect spring; admirably calculated to carry äts place firmly attached; and it is this which it is a column to sustain the head. the head without jar or injury of any kind. gives security to the dome of the cranium. We now see the importance of the spine, and we shall next explain how the various offices are provided for. It The most unhappy illustration of all this is the condition of old age. The tables of the skull are then consolidated, and the spine If the protection of the spinal marrow had is rigid: if an old man should fall with his been the only object of this structure, it is head upon the carpet, the blow, which would natural to infer that it would have been a be of no consequence to the elastic frame of If we look at the skull in front, we may consider the orbits of the eye as crypts under the greater building. And these under arches are groined, that is to say, there are strong arched spines of bone, which give strength sufficient to permit the interstices strong and unyielding tube of bone; but as a child, may to him prove fatal; and the riit must yield to the inflexions of the body, it gidity of the spine makes every step which cannot be constituted in so strict an analogy he takes vibrate to the interior of the head, with the skull. It must, therefore, bend; and jar on the brain. but it must have no abrupt or considerable We have hinted at a comparison betwixt bending at one part, for the spinal marrow the attachment of the spine to the pelvis and within would in this way suffer. the insertion of the mast of a ship into the of the groinings, if I may so term them, to be very thin. Betwixt the eye and the brain, the bone is as thin as parchment; but if the anterior part of the skull had to rest on this, the foundation would be insufficient. This is the purpose of the strong ridge of bone which runs up like a buttress from the temple to the By this consideration we perceive why hull. The mast goes directly through the lateral part of the frontal bone, whilst the arch there are twenty-four bones in the spine, decks without touching them, and the heel forming the upper part of the orbit is very each bending a little; each articulated or of the mast goes into the step, which is strong; and these ridges of bone, when the making a joint with its fellow; all yielding formed of large solid pieces of oak timber skull is formed with what we call a due re-in a slight degree, and, consequently, per- laid across the keelson. The keelson is an gard to security, give an extension to the mitting in the whole spine that flexibility inner keel, resting upon the floor-timbers of forehead.* necessary to the motions of the body. It the ship, and directly over the proper keel. in. In concluding this survey of the archi. is next to be observed, that whilst the spine These are contrivances for enlarging the tecture of the head, let us suppose it so ex-by this provision moves in every direction, base on which the mast rests as a column: panded that we could look upon it from with-it gains a property which it belongs more to for as, in proportion to the height and width In looking up to the vault we should at our present purpose to understand. The of a column, its base must be enlarged, or it once perceive the application of the groin in bones of the spine are called vertebræ; at would sink into the earth, so, if the mast masonry; for the groin is that projection in each interstice between these bones, there were to bear upon a point, it would break the vault which results from the intersection is a peculiar grisly substance, which is through the bottom of the ship. of two arches running in different directions. squeezed out from betwixt the bones, and, The mast is supported upright by the One rib or groin extends from the centre of therefore, permits them to approach and shrouds and stays. The shrouds secure it the frontal bone to the most projecting part play a little in the motions of the body. against the lateral or rolling motion, and the of the occipital foramen, or opening on the This grisly substance is inclosed in an elas- stays and backstays against the pitching of back of the head; the other rib crosses it tic binding, or membrane of great strength, the ship. These form what is termed the from side to side of the occipital bone. The which passes from the edge or border of one standing rigging. The mast does not bear point of intersection of these two groins is vertebra to the border of the one next it. upon the deck or on the beams of the ship; the thickest and strongest part of the skull, When a weight is upon the body, the soft indeed, there is a space covered with canvas and it is the most exposed, since it is the part gristle is pressed out, and the membrane betwixt the deck and the mast. of the head which would strike upon the yields: the moment the weight is removed, ground when a man falls backwards. the membranes recoil by their elasticity, the gristle is pressed into its place, and the bones resume their position. We often hear of a new ship going to sea to stretch her riggig; that is, to permit the What is termed the base of the skull is shrouds and stays to be stretched by the mostrengthened, if we may so express it, on tion of the ship, after which they are again the same principle: it is like a cylinder We can readily understand how great the braced tight; for if she were overtaken by groin, where the rib of an arch does not ter-influence of these twenty-four joinings must a storm before this operation, and when the minate upon a buttress or pilaster, but is be in giving elasticity to the whole column; stays and shrouds were relaxed, the mast continued round in the completion of the and how much this must tend to the protec- would lean against the upper deck, by which circle. The base of the skull is irregular, tion of the brain. Were it not for this in-it would be sprung or carried away. Inand in many places thin and weak, but these terposition of elastic material, every motion deed, the greater proportion of masts that arched spines or ribs give it strength to bear of the body would produce a jar to the deli-are lost are lost in this manner. There are those shocks to which it is of course liable cate texture of the brain, and we should suf-no boats which keep the sea in such storms at the joining of the skull with the spine. CHAPTER II. fer almost as much in alighting on our feet as those which navigate the Gulf of Finland. as in falling on our head. It is, as we have Their masts are not attached at all to the MECHANISM OF THE SPINE.-The brain thin plates of lead or slate between the dif- step. already remarked, necessary to interpose hull of the ship, but simply rest upon the case is thus a perfect whole, secure on all ferent pieces of a column, to prevent the sides, and strengthened where the exposure edges (technically called arrises) of the cy-blance to the mast, the contrivances of the Although the spine has not a strict resemto injury is the greatest. the column which sustains it, equal provi- would in that case chip or split off. We shall see, in linders from coming in contact, as they ship-builder, however different from the provisions of nature, show what object is to be Although they are solid arches connected with the But there is another very curious provi-attained; and when we are thus made aware building of the cranium, and bear no relation to the sur- sion for the protection of the brain: we of what is necessary to the security of a faces of the brain, the early craniologists would have per suaded us that their forms correspond with the surfaces of mean the curved form of the spine. If a column on a moveable base, we are prethe brain, and indicate particular capacities or talents. steel spring, perfectly straight, be pressed pared to appreciate the superior provisions AGRICULTURE, &c. of nature for giving security to the human spring, it should be passed through a sieve of hay-house, are generally under one roof;; such size as will not let the balls (that contain and the cleanly system, and the admirable ar-spine. the seed) pass through. This will be another rangement, give that comfort and pleasure means of preventing the seed from vegetating which are too often wanting in this country. on the beds. There is a practice very prevaMANAGEMENT OF CALVES IN HOLLAND.-lent with gardeners, to plant lettuce, radishes, and other early vegetables on the beds; this From the fact that Hollanders are distinshould never be done, and particularly with radishes, as they have a long root that extends guished for their dairy husbandry, their manto the roots of the asparagus, and must se-agement of calves is deserving of attention. riously interfere with them. We find the following in the Transactions of the Highland Society of Scotland: A NEW MODE OF REARING ASPARAGUS.The asparagus seed should be sown from the middle of March to the last of April, in a rich spot, (not too mucn exposed to the midday sun,) one inch deep, and the seed one inch apart; after they come up, to be kept clear of I frequently cut asparagus from three to five grass and weeds during the summer, by hand and a half, and once I cut a spire six inches in The most approved method of treating the weeding; to be dug up the next fall or spring-circumference, and from five to eight inches (I prefer the spring, as the roots do not grow long; it could have been cut longer, but it is calf is as follows: It is immediately after its during the winter, if set out in the fall, and are never tender near the root.-[Farmer's Reg.] birth taken from the cow, put in a separate A little salt is liable to be killed by a severe winter,) and set MANURING IN DRILLS.-A friend of mine,|place, and laid on dry straw. in beds prepared as follows: Dig out the size who I hope is now better employed, who was given, and the tongue and mouth rubbed of the beds nine inches deep-cover the bottom a man of general science and a practical and with it. It is also rubbed clean with three inches deep with rich marl, (which has scientific farmer, exerted himself for thirty straw. After the lapse of six or eight been my practice,) though I believe that oyster hours, the first beesting of the mother shells half burned will be as good, as it is in years to improve a poor sandy farm-by the method of manuring which I am about to mentended as a lasting heating manure, to protect tion; he effected mere for it in the five cow, diluted with one-third water, is given the roots in winter, and force the vegetable which preceded his death, than had been ac-to the calf to drink, and this treatment early in the spring: then put three inches deep complished in the other five and twenty. From is continued for some days, the liquid being the shore of a saltwater sound to which the given thrice a-day. Thereafter, during two rich earth. This brings the beds on a level farm was contiguous, he littered his farm with or three weeks, they give the calf the milk with the surface of the earth. Next lay off the beds in rows eighteen by twelve inches sea ware. In the fall, he laid off with a plough as it comes from the cow, diluted with oneapart, and put a single eye or spire in each the field which he intended for the next year's fourth water, in which now and then a small spot where the lines intersect, and cover them crop of corn, in trenches seven feet apart, twelve handful of sand is put; then churn-milk is three inches deep with rich earth. Plank the inches in width and six in depth. The plough of coarse stable manure, then three inches of years sides of the beds, as this prevents grass and traversed the same furrow until the trench was gradually given, and it is supplied with hay; other roots from running into the beds, and al- sufficiently wide and deep-its sides were made at the age of ten weeks it is brought out to so keeps the outside roots from being exposed, by the bar of the plough. Those trenches the meadow, where it is also supplied with by the sides of the beds washing away. The were then filled with sea ware from the farm skimmed milk, churned milk, or whey. In beds should be kept clean by hand weeding, yard, and stable manure; the latter placed in this way each farmer raises the proper num and all the earth and manure used in making the bottom of the trench, and making from a ber of quey calves to fill up vacancies; but them should be perfectly free from grass roots tenth to a sixteenth part of the combination: calves fattened for sale have milk from the and noxious weeds. In the fall of the year, af- the trenches were then covered with the plough, cow three times a day. ter the seeds have matured, cut the tops off and upon the ridges thus formed, the crop of For some days after calving the cow is close to the beds, (being careful that not a sin-corn was drilled the succeeding spring. After gle seed is left to vegetate on the beds,) as the laying by of the corn crop, the field had a milked thrice a day, and they then return to they have already as many roots as the space year of rest, after which the intervals between the usual practice of milking twice a-day. BLACK TONGUE.-We scarcely open a news-they occupy should contain, and if additional the corn rows were treated and used as the roots are suffered to form from year to year rows had been. The advantages of that man-paper from the country, without meeting a paAlmost all the ragraph or a communication respecting a from the falling of the seed every fall, the beds ner of manuring are manifest. will soon be so much clustered with roots that fertilizing properties of the manure which es- disease in horses and cattle called the Black the vegetable must degenerate, at least in size caped whilst becoming decomposed, fed the Tongue or the Burnt Tongue. It is said to and length, as the new roots form near, or on crop-the bed of the manure was not broken prevail chiefly among horses, but is not uncomthe surface. Some prevent this by burning, open, nor was it exposed to evaporation, until mon among cattle. Some respectable physibut I think the best way is to pick them off by the soil had become "seized in its demesne as cians have given their opinion, that if any perhand, before the ball that contains the seed of fee" of all its treasures, save those which son who was taking care of animals afflicted breaks. You then top dress the beds with had already produced food for man and beast. with this distemper, should get any of the matcoarse stable manure, let it lie on all winter, A few manurings in that way will make a very ter of the diseased tongue into an eye or a flesh and in the following spring rake off the coarsest poor field of any susceptibility rich.-[Ameri-||wound, it would be a very serious affair, and part, and fork in the remainder, being careful can Farmer.] might prove fatal. We have heard that several persons in the country are now suffering under an inflammation from this cause.- -[Boston Courier.] that the fork does not touch the roots. Pursue FERMENTED MANURE.-A writer in the this course two falls, and early in the third spring, before the bbes are forked up, put on Northern Farmer gives the following indirect two inches of light well rotted manure-fork proof against his own theory, by stating what BURNT TONGUE.-This disease, which we it with the stable manure, then put on from old experienced farmers believe. Says he,- mentioned in our last, and for which we gave three to four inches deep of clean sand from the "Strange as it may seem, many old farmers recipes, has become very prevalent in this and river shore, and you will cut in the month of yet believe that old rotted manure promotes some other sections of the State. It is undoubt. April the best vegetable we have in Virginia. vegetation better than fresh, or unfermented edly an epidemic, as it attacks those which 1 would not give my beds for the balance of my manure! They appear to be ignorant of the have not been near or exposed to those sufferga den. I think there is much in the kind of fact, that the longer manure remains exposed ing with it. Hogs, horses, and cows, all have it. seed. I obtain my seed from New-York; they to rot, the less nutriment or food for plants it At first, it appears like a blister upon the were marked "giant asparagus." retains; and the more it becomes assimilated tongue, or in black patches upon the lips. The The cover of sand is important on several to mere earth." animals appear sluggish, drool, and eat hay accounts; its being a great absorber of heat and moisture, so soon as the vegetable gets SAVING PEAS AND BEANS FROM MICE.-Chop with difficulty: sometimes, they refuse all nouthrough the soil, it is hastily thrown through up the tops of last year's shoots of furze, and rishment, and seem averse to drinking. Wathe sand to the surface in a bleached tender sow them in the drill.-[Gardener's and Fo-ter, whether cold or warm, when drank, brings on an ague fit, and they tremble and shiver exstate, and the cutting from day to day is more rester's Record, No. 3.] ceedingly. Some of the horses have been at. uniformly of the same tender delicious vegeta- CLEANLINESS OF THE DUTCH.-As to tacked in the feet. A swelling and eruption ble. The sand also prevents grass from grow-cleanliness, every dwelling-house is a model commences at the top of the hoof, accompaing on the beds, which obviates the necessity and a pattern; they seem to vie with cach nied with evident pain and soreness. of so much hand weeding during the season for cutting, by which the beds frequently be other on this point. The cowhouse is pure We have treated one case of this kind suc come trampled, and the vegetable that is about and clean, not a particle of filth being to be cessfully by washing the feet with warm soap to come through the surface mashed down, seen in it; the cows are as clean as if they suds-then by a weak solution of chloride of which not only destroys the spires that are so were in a dining room; the milk and cheese lime, and a bandage soaked in pigs' foot oil. A very weak solution of oil of vitriol, used as a trampled on by the gardener in the process of houses, and in short every part of the house, wash, has been successful in those cases where hand weeding, but (I think) injures the root. are free from dust and dirt of any kind; the it has been tried. Physic of some nature should The sand should be laid in the alleys between the beds, in the fall, when the beds are about manure is placed at a convenient distance be freely used.[Maine Farmer.] from the cowhouse, behind the house, and POKE BERRIES.-Dr. R. R. Harden states, in to receive the top dressing of stable litter to keep them warm through the winter; and every particle is carefully collected together. the Southern Planter, that he has found these n the sand is about to be replaced in the The whole apartments, even the byre and berries to be a certain cure of epilepsy, |