not refrain from recording my sentiments, and conclude with the ardent hope that through the exertions of the British Association our wishes may be realised, and that ere long the southern cross may shine over an expedition sailing to the Polar seas; that cross sung by Dante and Camoens of old, which has served as a banner in a far more sacred cause; that cross, which, by its positions, points out the hour of night to the Indian wandering over the pathless desert of Atacama, or the mariner ploughing the trackless ocean; that cross which brightly shone over Diaz, and Columbus, and Vasco de Gama; and that cross which I earnestly trust will once again shine over the meteor flag of England,' proudly waving over Antarctic land, discovered by the zeal and intrepidity of British seamen."

Sir George Back said-The account you have just heard combines so much of the main points of the most striking events of past enterprises, that little more seems left for me to say, than to acquiesce, which I most cordially do, in the concluding hope expressed by the writer. We have heard, from the testimony of former navigators, that there is no physical impossibility to prevent an approach towards the southern pole; and though M. D'Urville, with the Astrolabe and Zélée, has been compelled to return to the Bay of Conception, after a navigation of fifty-two days among ice; yet, had his crew been in good health, and had his means allowed him to have remained out longer, it is not improbable that some of those extraordinary movements of the ice-which he had himself so lately experienced-might have occurred, and have opened a passage to enable him to put in execution his cherished plan. That it was not so, might have been regretted, had we not an officer,-and why should he not mention his name?-Captain James Ross-who was both ready and willing, and in every way qualified, to command in so patriotic an enterprise. He, too, would accomplish those great objects which science has in view, the establishing of the curves of magnetic dip, intensity, and variation; yet these would form but a part of the advantages which we might expect to derive from a voyage which would seem to be the birthright and the duty of a nation so essentially maritime as Great Britain. I have, therefore, (said the chairman,) only to add my sincere wish that the expression of feeling manifested by this meeting may have its weight in recommending, in the proper quarter, the speedy equipment of an antarctic expedition. Mr. Murchison said, that he gladly embraced the opportunity of expressing his cordial concurrence in the object of the paper which had just been read; and he felt certain, that if the British Association would recommend this subject with all the weight which from their station they were entitled to do, the great object of Antarctic discovery would be no longer delayed.

In the Mechanical Section, the President, Mr. Babbage, observed that the next subject which would be brought before the Section, was on the modes of traversing the ocean by means of vessels propelled by steam: and he hoped that whatever difference of opinion might be found to exist, he should not have to witness a departure from the tone and temper which had characterised their previous discussions. If any opinions had been expressed which subsequent experience had shown to be erroneous, the acknowledgment of that error was a triumph to knowledge.

"On Steam Navigation and a self-recording Steam Journal," by Dr. Lardner. Dr. Lardner said-No one could be more deeply impressed with the importance of the observations which had just fallen from the president than he was; and there was not any member of the Association more willing to admit the error into which he had fallen than he should be found to be. It was, however, a matter of no real importance how far any opinion which he might have formerly expressed on extended steam navigation was right or wrong, except so far as it had been made a personal question. The subject was first broached at the Bristol Meeting of the British Association, when a discussion arose upon it, and he then remarked, that it was a great experiment which had not yet been attended with any satisfactory result. Unquestionably he did express a discouraging or unfavourable opinion as far as regarded the probability of ever maintaining an unbroken intercourse by means of steam navigation between Great Britain and New York. But he had been charged with declaring that the transit by steam navigation between Great Britain and New York was a physical impossibility. He never had given expression to such a statement, or to anything equivalent to it; and, as a proof, he read a passage from the article on Steam Navigation which appeared in the " Edinburgh Review" soon after the Bristol meeting, and which expressed the opinions he then held. He must, however, now acknowledge that the success of the "Great Western" steam-ship

had shaken the opinions he then entertained, and should the same success continue throughout the various seasons of the year, he would be the first to come forward and acknowledge himself in error. Dr. Lardner then proceeded to the proper subject before the Section, namely, the duty of marine engines, for ascertaining which a sum of money had been last year granted by the Association. He had been in communication with many steam navigation companies, and found that it would be a hopeless task to attempt to get the men on board the vessels to register with accuracy all the various facts required to be registered. He had consequently considered how this might be done by machinery, and the result was the construction of the instrument before them, and which he termed a steam journal. By this he proposed to register every five minutes the following varying phenomena, on which the efficiency and performance of steam-engines depend :-the pressure of the steam between the slides and the steam valve-the pressure in the boiler-the vacuum and the quantity of water in the boilers-the saltness of the water in the boilers-the velocity of the paddle-wheels-the draft of the vessel-the trim of the vessel-the rate of the vessel -the course of the vessel-the apparent force of the wind-the apparent direction of the wind. All these, excepting the course of the vessel, it is intended to register by self-acting mechanism. The methods by which this was proposed to be effected he then explained by reference to detailed drawings.

"On Steam Navigation," by Mr. J. Russell.

The object of this communication was to endeavour to point out the means which might be attempted, with the greatest probability of success, for improving steam navigation. It was of importance to consider whether they should look to some new and as yet untried method, or to improved combinations of the means already in common use. The latter was the better course; and these improvements might be in the vessel itself, in the machinery, or in the nature and application of the fuel. Mr. Russell then adverted to the fallacy of maintaining, as some persons did, that the form of the vessel was alone to be considered, while others held the directly contrary opinion, that an increase of power alone was to be considered. Mr. Russell, however, thought that, in the present state of steam navigation, the opinions of the former were most to be attended to. With reference to these questions, two great experiments had, he said, been made. Two fifty-horse-power engines had been taken out of a vessel, and two sixty-horse-power engines put in their place. When the propelling power was two fifties, the velocity of the vessel was ten miles and three-quarters per hour. When it was two sixties, the velocity with which the vessel moved was ten miles and six-tenths per hour. Here then was an increase of power, a greater expenditure of fuel, and the increase of the velocity was only threetenths of a mile. Another experiment was made on two vessels, one of 450 tons and the other of 500 tons burthen. The larger vessel was propelled by two engines of 300 horse power, and the smaller one by two of 150 horse power. The larger vessel, with the double power, proceeded at the rate of nine miles and a-half an hour, whilst the smaller one moved at the rate of nine miles and a quarter an hour. This instance he thought extremely satisfactory; the smaller vessel had the proper form that a vessel should have, and the larger one had not. He was therefore of opinion, that the form of the vessel was the direction in which we should look for improvement. Indeed he thought it probable that ere long we should have vessels of double the length, for a given breadth, that they at present generally are. objection to an increased length, from the danger of what is called " breaking the back," might be in a great measure removed by a proper system of diagonal framing. Another important consideration is, that the linear dimensions of a vessel being doubled, the capacity is increased eight-fold, but the increase in the resistance need not be more than twofold.

A paper was read, on "Methods of Filtering Water," by J. T. Hawkins.

The

In this paper the author detailed the various essentials for a durable and simple filter for obtaining pure water. The charcoal must be perfectly well burnt, and kept from exposure to the atmosphere; a test of good charcoal is, that when pulverised it sinks rapidly in water. The charcoal must be supported on an indestructible material, as a plate of burnt clay perforated with holes. The filter may consist of a common gardenpot, or similar vessel with holes at the bottom. The lower part may be filled with round pebbles, then some smaller pebbles, then some coarse sand, and finally a stratum of pounded charcoal, of about three or four inches in thickness. It is a great mistake to put any material, as sand, above the charcoal, with the view of

arresting the grosser particles of impurity, as the sand will quickly stop up and be impervious to water. A filter thus prepared will render water perfectly clear and sweet for many years.

The Rev. F. W. Hope read a paper "On Noxious Insects occurring in the year 1838, more particularly the Tipula tritici of Kirby."

The author commenced his observations on the apple blight. In this year apple trees have chiefly suffered from the attacks of two insects; one is a beetle (Anth onomus pomomus,) which attacks the blossoms in bud, and prevents the fruit from what is called "setting." It is well known to entomologists, and the author hopes shortly to give its history to the world with illustrations. The second is the Aphis, or plantlouse, which is this year exceedingly abundant. The apple, the hop, and the wheat, have suffered from it. The author would not describe these insects, as they are so well known, but made the following observations:-When vegetation in spring has made considerable advances, and the weather becomes wet and uncongenial, then Aphides appear in greatest abundance. He attributes the great abundance of Aphides this year to the cold. He was anxious to ascertain if Aphides are more abundant in some soils than others, and solicited information on this point. In 1829 the Aphides were succeeded by the Coccinelidæ : is this usual? The Aphides on the wheat this year are more abundant on the spring than the autumn sown wheat, and (near Cheltenham) more numerous on bearded wheat. Tipula tritici is observed to be abundant in some districts. The pupa and chysalides are not so numerous as in former years, but the caterpillars are very abundant; and the wheat appears more damaged by Aphides than Tipulæ. The author then alluded to the kind of information wanted in these inquiries, with regard to soil, atmosphere, cultivation, and varieties of wheat, which might be supplied by the agriculturist; and regretted that there was not an Agricultural Section in the Association. He then hoped botanists would supply information:-1. On the species and varieties of wheat grown in this country; 2. Dis. eases of wheat arising from parasitic fungi and other causes; 3. The provincial and local names of the kinds of wheat. In conclusion, he suggested that a committee of the British Association, consisting of botanists, entomologists, and agriculturists, should be formed, in order to investigate the diseases incident to wheat, and other kinds of agricultural produce.

Prof. Graham observed, that this subject was of great commercial as well as scientific interest. The increase of destructive insects this year had been very great. What was the reason? It could not be the cold winter that produced them on wheat, for the spring-sown wheat had been most affected. We wanted a collection of facts on this subject, in order to deduce something like general principles. He had seen a large collection of drawings formed by Sir Joseph Banks, from the inimitable pencil of Francis Bauer, representing the various insects that destroy or injure plants. He thought this Association could not do better than assist in publishing these drawings, which would greatly promote our knowledge of this subject.-Dr. Greville remarked, that many Aphides which were abundant last year were scarce this, and vice versa.-Sir C. Monk had observed the attacks of certain insects to be periodical, and detailed some facts in illustration.-A member observed, that the rate of growth of a plant affected its liability to the attacks of insects. If they grew fast, the insects could no longer remain on the growing point of the plant, and thus were prevented doing much injury.—Mr. Richard Taylor confirmed this opinion.-The Rev. Mr. Hope thought the weather made little difference in the appearance of these insects. Where vegetation makes sudden strides, the Aphis is frequently abundant. But if, at the same time, the plant was healthy, the Aphis did not prosper.

Dr. Richardson then exhibited four species of Pouch Rats, and he was aware of the existence of two more. They were usually looked upon as the same species. Dr. Bowring communicated some observations on Plague and Quarantine, made during his residence in the East.

Dr. Bowring apologised for coming before the Section, he not being a medical man; but having travelled in the East for the purpose of observation in reference to our commercial relations, his attention had been naturally directed to the subjects of plague and quarantine-subjects the importance of which could hardly be overrated, many millions being annually lost to this country from quarantine regulations. The results of his observation had produced a strong conviction of the non-contagion of plague; and he thought it right, therefore, to lay before this Section a few remarks on the subject. He alluded to the very secondary character of the

facts on which the prevalent opinions were founded. Some were so absurd as not to be worthy of the slightest attention: such as plague being introduced at Leghorn, by the unrolling of a mummy that had been buried for two thousand years,-at Constantinople by the wing of a bird having touched a kite which a boy was flying from a house-top, from a cat having been seen to jump into a basket in which were some clothes, from which the disease was subsequently caught. Dr. Bowring said, that physicians residing in the East were rapidly changing their opinions on the subject, but they were prevented in many instances from freely expressing them by the interested Boards of Health, who neither liked to part with their extensive power, (even of life and death,) nor with their salaries. Clot Bey was a decided anti-contagionist, and that after an experience of eight or ten thousand cases. Dr. Bowring mentioned many cases where facts were distorted, or invented to account for cases of plague from contagion; and in one remarkable instance, where the misrepresentations were exposed, it was denied that the case was plague at all, because they could not maintain their assertion of contact having taken place. The Mussulmans are by their religion non-contagionists, and Dr. B. hoped they might never become otherwise, as the aggravation of the calamity would be tenfold if they did. The opinion as to the contagious nature of the disease prevailed principally amongst the Levantines and Franks; but every other superstition was as readily believed by them. He had collected the most solemnly attested evidence of the appearance of Peris and Genii, and of the intermarriages of the former with mortals; he had collected more strongly-attested facts on these subjects, than on the contagious nature of plague. Dr. Bowring asserted that, from innumerable instances, quarantine appeared to give no security, and was of opinion that these establishments were mere political engines, of great power and convenience in a despotic country. In the lazarettos the whole correspondence of the East was read. The Russians had a most perfect system of quarantine, yet the plague got into Odessa. In 1831 quarantine and lazaretto establishments were introduced into Egypt under the superintendence of the Consuls, yet the plague got into Egypt. In Jaffa it broke out in the house of the Russian Consul spontaneously, and in Jerusalem in a convent, with which there could have been no communication. In the lazarettos a little disease was made a greal of; in one instance a greater number died from dysentery than from plague. Lazarettos, he contended, rather increased than diminished the evil. If a strict separation could insure safety, the Pacha's harem would escape; yet in 1835, seven died there of plague. It appeared at one time in Old Cairo, and not in New, and vice versa, although there was constant communication; the same was true as to Cairo and Alexandria. The disease never penetrated Nubia, though constantly on the borders, and frequent intercourse taking place. In Cairo, on one occasion, four hundred or five hundred houses, whose inhabitants had all perished, were subsequently opened, the linen and clothes in them sold in the marketplace, without any cases of plague resulting. Clot Bey had again and again inoculated himself without producing the disease. Dr. Boulard wore the clothes of a patient, who died of the disease, for twenty-four hours, without catching it. The following information was communicated to Dr. Bowring, by a physician of long experience, in answer to a series of direct queries, viz. that it is indigenous in Egypt, never entirely absent, never imported, that it frequently occurs spontaneously, that cordons afford no security, that contact very frequently did not produce it, and that the most cautious frequently suffered from it, that free ventilation was effective in checking the disease; that it was not produced by linen which had been exposed to the infection, and that when a number of person exposed to its influence removed from the spot, the mortality became much diminished. Dr. Bowring concluded by expressing his own strong conviction on the subject; but he had no object but to promote the discovery of truth, which could only be done by patient and serious inquiry, and by evidence of a primary character.

At the close of the meeting it was arranged that the Association should assemble next year at Birmingham, in the month of August.

THE

METROPOLITAN.

NOVEMBER, 1838.

LITERATURE.

NOTICES OF NEW WORK S.

Notes on Naples and its Environs; and on the Road to it from Rome. By a Traveller.

This is in many respects an uncommon book on a common subject-one much fuller of meaning and real feeling than any work of the kind we have met with, in English, this many a day. Some of the notes-if not the best, delle buone-appeared several months ago in our Magazine, and we felt the pages of the "Metropolitan" enriched and honoured by their insertion. Of the author personally we know nothing; but we do happen to know, step by step, the routes and places which he describes with so much spirit, having lived and wandered for years in the most interesting parts of the Italian Peninsula, which are decidedly Rome, the Campagna, Naples, and the magical regions around it: and if it be any satisfaction for him to know that an old olive and macaroni eater can bear testimony to the vividness of his pictures and the correctness of his general remarks, we can honestly and heartily give him that satisfaction. We indeed consider his descriptions of scenery and all material objects as not only lively and beautiful, but wonderfully correct; his remarks on art original, spirited, and valuable, his strictures on manners and governments generally, liberal and just;-but if he had lived as long at Naples as we have done, we feel assured that he would have spoken far more favourably of the people, and far less favourably of the scirocco wind," quella vampa del forno del diavolo," which, in an odd spirit of contradiction, he seems more than half disposed to praise as a pleasant breeze.

We were born and bred good Protestants-taught, like Roderic Random, to hate and revile the pope and the devil; and when we first saw a pair of scarlet stockings we looked for hoofs at their extremities. We would not, even now, after happy digestion of many a good dinner from Monaco, Arciprete, Monsignore e Cardinale, commend or recommend any such nightmare of a government as the pontifical; nay, we could still, with Alfieri, wish the great fisherman, St. Peter's representative, were back to his nets, and that the light were not stopped by cardinals, but still we cannot help thinking that if our traveller had tarried longer at Rome, if he had investigated the subject more closely, if he had only given a glance into Chateauvieux's Lettres ecrites d'Italie (an admirable and impartial work!) he would have found something to praise even in the civil and earthly doings of the poor old popes-particularly in the matters of

Nov. 1838.-VOL. XXIII.-NO. XCI.

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