IN former numbers of the Scots Magazine, we have in the course of the last five years given some interesting details of the Carr Rock, and the beacon erecting upon it; and we had at length the reasonable prospect of a successful termination to that arduous undertaking. It is, therefore, with no small concern that we have to notice the loss which the shipping of the Firths of Forth and Tay have sustained by the fall of this Beacon. The building was visited by one of the shipmasters in the lighthouse service on the 10th November, and was then found to be in perfect order. But, on the evening of the 14th, a very heavy swell of sea came ashore, and, on the 15th, the ground swell still continued, with foggy weather, and the rock could not be discerned till the afternoon of that day, when the sea was observed to break upon it with great violence, and it was then discovered that a great part of the building . had been thrown down.

The Carr Rock forms the extreme point of that dangerous reef of sunken rocks, extending about two miles from the shore at Fifeness, which has been the cause of many shipwrecks, notwithstanding all the improvements adopted on this part of the coast;-a circumstance which has rendered the erection of a beacon upon it a work of very considerable interest.

The Beacon Rock is 72 feet in length, but its greatest breadth is only 23 feet. At high water of spring tides, the foundation of the building is at least 16 feet under the level of the sea. The Beacon is circular, measuring 18 feet in diameter at the base -the height of the masonry was 36 feet, and from thence to the ball on the top of the cupola, it measured five feet more, or 41 feet in all. The stones of this building were curiously indented into one another, and the several courses were connected by joggels, while the beds of the stones were let into each other in such a manner, that these indentations formed so many girths or bands round the building. For greater safety, and to avoid any weakness in the walls, the beacon was so constructed, that the entrance door was above the balcony, being placed immediately under the cupola, the ascent to which was by means of a trap-ladder. The interior of this tower was designed for a Tide-machine, to be employed in constantly tolling the large bell, which was to form the cupola of the building. By this contrivance the mariner was to be forewarned of his danger under night, and in foggy weather; where a beacon of

the common form would have been comparatively of less use; by this means also the building was to be guarded from accident, by the too near approach of vessels. Upon the whole, there was something in this undertaking which gave it a particular interest with the curious, while it was calculated to render so much benefit to the mariner, that we cannot help again regretting that it had not succeeded to the utmost, as preparations were just making for the construction of the machinery from a model long since made.

This building is understood to have cost about L. 3000, and bade fair to possess all the advantages of a most excellent and complete land-mark. When, therefore, we appreciate its value, either by the inconveniences which shipping must sustain in consequence of its temporary removal, or consider the boldness of the design, and the energy and economy with which it has been pursued for no less than five successive scasons, we still hope that some means or other will be devised for pointing out the place and dangers of the Carr Rock.

The loss of this improvement upon the coast will be severely felt by the shipping interest, especially of the Firths of Forth and Tay; but as we have just learned that several of the courses of the masonry are still quite entire on the rock, and these the most expensive and difficult of erection, having required more than three of the five seasons to complete them; we may yet hope that at least a solid and permanent beacon of stone will be placed on this fatal reef, which would doubtless prove highly useful, though not possessed of all the advantages of the proposed Tide-machine. Along with a solid beacon, the security of the extensive shipping on this coast may be still further promoted, by means of cross or leading lights upon the Island of May, distant about six miles from the Carr Rock; so that the mariner, having these in view, may the better know his position under night, and so be enabled to make free with his course. This may in some degree be considered as stretching a cord or band of light across the Firth, from the Isle of May to the foul grounds at Fifeness; and would be such a direction for the Carr Rock, under night, as is provided and found to answer at the Fern Isles, for the Goldstone Rock, near Holy Island, on the coast of Northumberland.

What may be the ultimate resolution of the Lighthouse Board with regard to the Carr Rock, whether it should be pointed

out to the mariner by a beacon of stone or iron, or by a large floating buoy at or near the place of danger, or by an additional lighthouse upon the Island of May, in the form of a leading light, as has been proposed, we know not; but we apprehend, that where the danger to shipping is so imminent, its place should one way or other be made as obvious as possible to the numerous class of shipping which frequent this part of the coast.

Were any argument of ours necessary to shew the utility of this measure beyond the great exertions already made by the Lighthouse Board in the late works of the beacon, we might refer to the numerous accidents occasioned by this rock, recorded from time to time in the public prints of the day. We have, indeed, learned, that very lately no fewer than fifty-six coasting vessels sailed close past the Carr Rock in the course of a single tide. This was in the day time, and in easy weather; but a sudden gale, or approaching darkness, might have proved fatal to some of them.

Service of Plate presented to Sir H. Davy."—The proprietors of the collieries in the counties of Northumberland and Durham have presented to Sir H. Davy a service of plate, valued, as it is said, at nearly L. 2000. It is a tribute of respect to which he is justly entitled, from the rare union of profound scientific research with the direct application of it to purposes of practical utility, which characterize his inquiries into the properties of the fire-damp, and the methods by which the fatal accidents may be prevented which have so frequently occurred from its explosion.

Patent Malt. There are few patents that promise to be of such great national importance as one lately obtained by D. Wheeler and Co. for a new and improved method of preparing brown malt.

The essential difference between ale and porter is, that the latter liquor is of a much deeper colour than the former, and has besides a peculiar empyreumatic flavour, not easily defined, though universally known. This colour and this flavour were originally obtained by mixing with the pale malt commonly used for brewing ale a certain proportion of malt dried at a somewhat higher temperature, and, in consequence of being

Two other candidates, it would appear, have come forward to claim the merit of inventing similar lamps, viz. Mr Stephenson and Dr Clannie; the former of whom has been patronized by a number of the coalmasters near Newcastle, who have lately held a meeting, and raised a sum by subscription for his remuneration. In an early number we hope to lay before our readers a view of the comparative merits of the several candidates.

thus slightly scorched, capable of communicating to the water in which it is infused a deep tan-brown colour, and a peculiar flavour.

In the composition of the best genuine porter, two parts of brown malt are required to three parts of pale malt. The price of the former is generally about seveneighths of the latter; but the proportion of saccharine matter which it contains does not, according to the highest estimate, exceed one-half of that afforded by the pale malt, and probably on an average scarcely amounts to one-fifth. Taking, however, the proportion of sugar in brown malt even at about one-half, it follows that the porter brewers are paying for the colour and flavour of their liquor one-fifth of the entire cost of their malt. The price of this latter article has of late years increased so enormously, and the mutual competition of the manufacturers has become so active, as to offer temptations, not easily resisted, either of supplying the flavour and colour of porter by the use of Spanish liquorice, burned sugar, and other similar ingredients, which, however innocent in themselves, are prohibited by the Legislature, or of diminishing the strength of the liquor: thus rendering it more liable to become sour or vapid by keeping, and hence bringing on the necessity of using alkaline substances to correct the first, and deleterious narcotics, such as cocculus indicus, to supply the deficiency of alcohol. The result of all this is, that a large quantity of ill-made noxious liquor is forced upon the public, that the diminished strength of such as is made of allowed ingredients drives multitudes of the lower classes to the use of gin and opium, and that the scandalous frequency of frauds on this branch of the revenue has entirely abolished all moral feeling on the subject, and reduced it to a mere calculation of expediency.

It appears that the patentees have discovered that, by exposing common malt to a temperature of about 430° Fahr. in close vessels, it acquires a dark chocolate-brown colour, and is rendered so soluble in water, either hot or cold, that, when mixed with pale malt in the proportion of one-eightieth, it communicates to the liquor the perfect colour and flavour of porter.

From this it follows that the brewer, by employing four parts of pale malt and onetwentieth of a part of patent malt, may obtain a stronger liquor than from his usual proportions of three parts of pale and two parts of brown malt. The saving thus occasioned ought in equity to be divided between the patentees, the brewer, and the public. The revenue will be benefited by the increased consumption which will necessarily result from an improvement in the quality of the porter: and both the revenue and public morals will derive advantage

from the greatly diminished temptation to fraudulent practices.

Aerolite at Paris. We are informed from the French papers, that an aerolite of considerable size fell at Paris, in the Rue de Richlieu, on the morning of Nov. 3. It descended with so much force as to displace part of the pavement, and to sink to some depth into the earth. It was attended by a sulphureous smell, and seemed to have been recently in a state of ignition or combustion.

Mr Hunter of Edinburgh has invented an instrument which is of great importance to the navigator. From two altitudes of the sun, and the interval of time between the observations, he can determine, within five minutes after the second observation, the latitude of the place, the hour from noon, and the variation of the compass. According to the common form of calculation for double altitudes, the latitude by account is supposed to be known, which in the use of this instrument is not necessary. It has been tried in several examples, and the results always found very near the truth. If a vessel was driven from her course by storms or currents, if the reckoning was altogether lost, and the mariner could not get a meridian observation, with this instrument and a chronometer, he could, in a few minutes after the second observation, ascertain his position on the ocean with accuracy. An invention of so much utility in navigation is worthy of encouragement from those concerned in the commerce of the country.

The celebrated Moses of Michael Angelo, a collossal figure of the most exquisite proportions, and finished in a style that to this day is unrivalled, having, by the Pope's permission, been withdrawn from its niche, in St Pietro in Vinculo, in order that Mr Day, an English artist, might take a mould of it to bring to England; it is with pleasure, we inform the public, that it has arrived safe, and is now setting up in company with the Monte-Cavallo figure, in that capacious room in the stableyard, which the Prince of Wales allotted to these exhibitions of collossal sculpture. It is to be followed by the Marcus-Aurelius of the Capitol. When these noble objects are got together, it will be, in the eyes of men of taste and talents, the finest room in the world.

Mr Asbury has invented an instrument for puncturing the drum of the ear, in cases of deafness; and two instances are recorded in which he has operated successfully; the individuals were immediately restored to hearing. Will the operation be permanently beneficial?

John Millington, Esq. Lecturer on Mechanical Subjects in the Royal Institution for the three last seasons, has been appointed Professor of Mechanics, and the various instruments and machines connected with

this department have been placed under his care and superintendence. He has particularly directed his attention to the supply of all those deficiencies which have arisen from the want of sufficient funds, and the want of a permanent person, sufficiently versed in the actual manipulations of art, to instruct and explain them, and bring them into a state of useful activity.

The construction and properties of Bramah's Patent Lock, in which the confidence of the public has so long reposed, having become a subject of discussion at the meetings of the Royal Institution, Mr Bramah attended, and exhibited a large model, explanatory of he principles of his late father's lock, and his own improvements upon it, to the institution; when every one was satisfied with the almost utter impossibility of opening locks upon his construction, their security depending upon the doctrine of combinations or multiplication of numbers into each other, which is known to increase in the most rapid proportion. Thus a lock of five sliders admits of 3000 variations, while one of eight, which are commonly made, will have no less than 1,935,360 changes, or, in other words, that number of attempts at making a key, or at picking it, may be made, before it can be opened. Such was the case in the lifetime of its late ingenious inventor; but, by the simple improvement of his sons, the present manufacturers, this difficulty may be increased an hundred fold, or in a greater proportion, without at all adding to the complication of the lock.

Poonah, or Indian Painting.-This is a method of painting lately introduced from India, by which (with Poonah guides) the ladies of London have been enabled to decorate their dresses, &c. so as to give the appearance of real fruit or flowers. It is also applied to painting landscapes, animals, &c.

We are also informed, that it is not necessary the pupil should be previously acquainted with drawing, and that it is done in less than half the usual time. Mr Middleton has commenced teaching the whole of this elegant art in Edinburgh.

Some additions and corrections to the valuable paper of Professor Jameson's at page 367 of our last number have been supplied by the same eminent naturalist, which we request our readers to introduce.

Under Quadrupeds and Birds, 1. 11., for outside, read inside, and, after the next paragraph, insert the following:

"Eggs.-Collections of eggs of birds form a very interesting and beautiful department of a museum. The fresh eggs should be blown, and carefully packed in cotton, or tow, or moss. Before blowing, it is advisable to make drawings of the eggs, as the abstraction of their contents frequently occasions a considerable change in their colour, delineation of colour, and lustre of the shell.

"Nests. All the remarkable nests of the larger birds ought to be collected, and in every instance those of the smaller species."

Under Molluscous Animals, add the following paragraph:

"As many of the molluscous animals rapidly change, even when put into spirits, it is advisable to make models and drawings of them before immersion."

Under Crustaceous Animals, p. 368. 1. 7. for anus, read mouth.

To Section 3. on Minerals, p. 369. after "wrapping paper," add "When the crystals are very delicate, then the specimen must be glewed to the bottom of a box, and fastened with strings."

Under Section 7. after "blow-pipe," 1. 9. insert and bottle with muriatic acid."

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FRANCE.

The Society for the Encouragement of the Arts at Paris, has proposed the following prizes for the year 1818:

1500 francs for a machine for making pack-thread; 1000 francs for a machine for cutting the fur from the skins used in hatmaking; 6000 francs for the manufacture of steel-wire for needles; 3000 francs for manufacturing articles of cast-iron; 2000 francs for a method of salting meat; 2000 francs for the manufacture of isinglass; 2000 francs for manufacturing enamelled metal vases; 1500 francs for the cultivation of the plants which supply pot-ash; 1000 francs for making pipes without seams; 600 francs for the discovery of stones for lithography; and 1200 francs for their artificial composition.

The Society has deferred until 1819 the distribution of the following prizes:-1200 francs for the manufacture of artificial precious stones; 3000 francs for the discovery of a certain process for drying meat; and 1000 francs for the cultivation of oleaginous plants: the prize for the preservation of woollen cloth, which, in consideration of its importance, has been raised to the sum of 3000 francs; and that of 1000 francs for the construction of a mill for skinning dried vegetables, such as pease, beans, &c. will not be awarded till 1820.

The Society has besides proposed nine others, viz.-1st, One of 2000 francs, to be given in 1819, to the person who shall raise, by the most certair and economical processes, and with the least possible loss, the greatest number of white Chinese silk

worms.

2d, One of 600 francs, in 1818, for the invention of an extremely economical, agreeable, and wholesome fermented drink, which may be prepared by the poorest cultivators, and fit for the use of persons employed in out-door labour.

3d, One of 1200 francs, in 1818, for the manufacture of an unalterable green colour,

of fine quality, and preferable to Scheele's green.

4th, One of 500 francs, in 1818, for the discovery of the best method of grinding oil and water colours, to the degree of tenuity required by artists.

5th, One of 2000 francs, in 1819, for the manufacture of animal charcoal prepared from other substances than bone, and without the employment of pot-ash; and which may be as good and cheap as charcoal prepared from bones.

6th, One of 1200 francs, in 1819, for the manufacture of a new kind of economical floor-cloth, composed of strong paper co

vered with varnish.

7th, One of 2000 francs, in 1819, for the application of the steam-engine to printingpresses.

8th, One of 2000 francs, in 1819, for the discovery of a vegetable substance consisting of natural or prepared leaves, fit to be employed as a substitute for mulberry leaves in feeding silk-worms.

9th, One of 3000 francs, in 1821, for a metal or alloy, which may be substituted for iron and steel, in the construction of machines for grinding vegetables.

M. Teissier has lately been engaged in researches on the period of gestation of the females of several domestic animals. The following is a summary of the results :

Out of 575 cows, 21 calved between the 240th and 270th day: mean term 2594— 544 between the 270th and 299th: mean term 282-10 between the 299th and 321st: mean term 303. Thus, between the shortest and longest gestation, there is a difference of 81 days, that is, more than one-fourth of the mean duration.

Out of 277 mares, 23 foaled between the 322d and 330th day: mean term 326227 between the 330th and 359th: mean term 344-28 between the 361st and 419th: mean term 390. Between the shortest and longest gestation there was an interval of 97 days; as before, more than one-fourth of the mean duration.

Observations were made on two she-asses only one foaled on the 380th, and the other on the 391st day.

Out of 912 ewes, 140 lambed between the 146th and 150th day: mean term 148 -676 between the 150th and 154th: mean term 152-96 between the 154th and 161st: mean term 1574. Here the extreme interval is only 15 days, to a mean duration of 152—that is, only one-tenth.

The mean term of seven female buffaloes was 308 days, and the extreme difference 27 days.

The extreme gestations of 25 sows were 109 and 143 days.

The extreme terms of gestation of 172 rabbits, were 27 and 35 days; difference & In the duration of the incubation of domestic fowls, differences of from 5 to 16