that Baffin's Bay is a part of the ocean, and that the continents of America and Asia are completely detached. Although these points are all uncertain, yet the evidence that we are able to collect is much in their favour; and there are indeed many circumstances respecting the direction of currents, the drifting of wood, and the course which the whales are observed to pursue, that can scarcely be accounted for upon any other hypothesis. But whatever may be the result of the expedition, it is certainly a most favourable opportunity for instituting the experiment, and we can scarcely fail to derive much valuable information from it, not only with respect to the hydrography of the Arctic circle, but on many other topics of natural philosophy. The vessels that are to proceed along the

eastern side of Greenland are named the Dorothea and the Trent, under the command of Captain Buchan and Lieutenant Franklyn; those that are to pass through Davis's Straits are the Isabella and the Alexander, under the command of Captain Ross and Lieutenant Parry.

men.

To this interesting article it may be proper to add, that to each vessel have also been appointed a master and mate, well experienced in the navigation of the Greenland seas and Davis's Straits, who are to act as pilots among the ice. Captain Ross is an active and experienced officer; and Lieutenant Party, who accompanies him, is an excellent navigator, theoretical as well as practical. Captain Buchan is well acquainted with the navigation of the cold seas, in the neighbourhood of Newfoundland; and Lieutenant Franklyn, who is his second, was brought up under the late Capt. Flinders, and is well acquainted with nautical surveying, and the use of astronomical instruments. The junior lieutenants, Hoppner and Beechy, are excellent draughtsThe Isabella, Captain Ross's ship, is a fine roomy vessel, of 350 to 370 tons. The strength of her hull has been increas ed by the addition of a new skin to the outside, and a lining to the inside, each of five or six inches thick, while many beams, of large dimensions, are placed on the bow and stern. Stauncheons are fixed on board for the erection of a roof over the deck, in the event of their being locked up in the ice. The births, or bed-places, are capable of being removed on shore; and canvas and tarpaulins, of large size, are provided to be fixed over them. Coals, to the amount of 150 tons; and flour, for three years, will be carried out; with sour krout, vinegar, and lime-juice, in abundance. new kind of log is fixed, the machinery of which runs from the cabin down the side of the rudder, nearly to the keel, the purpose of which is to show, by a dial in the cabin, the rate of the vessel's sailing.

A

Mr Thomas Gill has communicated to the public, through the medium of Thomson's Annals of Philosophy, the method of constructing a lamp without flame. Sir H. Davy some time since found that a fine platina wire heated red-hot, and held in the vapour of ether, would continue ignited. Upon this principle, if a cylindrical coil of thin platina wire be placed part of it round the cotabove the wick, and the lamp be lighted ton wick of a spirit lamp, and part of it so as to heat the wire to redness; on of the alcohol will keep the upper part the flame being blown out, the vapour of the wire red-hot for any length of time, according to the supply of alcohol, and with little expenditure of it, so as to be in constant readiness to kindle German fungus, or paper prepared with nitre, and thus to light a sulphur match, or any other, at pleasure. The proper size of the platina wire is the 1-100th part of an inch; a larger size will yield only a dull red light, and a smaller is difficult to use. About twelve turns of the wire will be sufficient, coiled round any cylindrical body, suited to the size of the lamp; and four or five coils should be placed on the wick, and the remainder of the wire above it; the latter will be the part ignited. When the wire has become oxided, it will be necessary to uncoil and rub it bright with fine glass-paper, which will cause it to act again with increased effect. This lamp, while it affords a sufficient light to shew the hour of the night by a watch, and to perform many other useful services, does not disturb persons unaccustomed to keep a light burning in their bedroom. From its constantly keeping up be snuffed, like other lamps, it may a uniform heat, and not requiring to prove a valuable acquisition to the chemist, for experiments on a small scale, where a long continuance of a gentle heat is desirable. Its peculiar safety, as not a spark can fall from it, and its being totally free from the unpleasant smoke and smell common to oil lamps, are additional recommendations.

At a late general meeting, the French Academy of Sciences awarded the gold medal, founded by the late M. de Lalande, to Mr Pond, astronomer royal at Greenwich, for his researches relative to the annual parallax of the fixed stars.

One of the prizes offered at the last meeting of the Helvetic Society relates to a question of great general interest. Several men of science have asserted that the climate of the more elevated regions of Switzerland has gradually

become colder. In the absence of direct proof from thermometric observation, the four following circumstances have been urged as facts in support of this opinion.-1. Historical evidence that many parts of the Alps were once pasturage, which are now wholly unproductive. 2. Historical evidence and still remaining traces of the existence of forests above what is now the boundary of the vegetation of trees. 3. The progressive lowering of the line of permanent snow. 4. The progress made by the glaciers in many parts of Switzerland. The importance of this subject has induced the Society to propose the following question: Is it true that the climate of the Upper Alps of Switzerland has become more cold and inclement of late years ?

From the Cambridge University Calendar for the present year, it appears, that the number of members whose names are on the boards amounts to 3444, being 169 more than the preceding year. In 1748 the number was only 1500.

SWEDEN.

M. Broling, a councillor of mines, has published a narrative of his Travels in England, in three 8vo volumes, embellished with 37 plates. The work is represented as peculiarly interesting in whatever relates to our industry, manufactures, and mines. It obtained the premium of the Swedish Academy, for the best work published during the

year.

RUSSIA.

Captain Krusenstern, in a letter to Captain Burney, dated Revel, October 1, 1817, informs him, that letters had a few days before been received from Lieut. Kotzebue. On leaving Kamtschatka, in July 1816, he sailed through Behring's Straits, and succeeded in ranging the coast of America to lat. 67°, where he discovered a large inlet ex tending far to the eastward. He was obliged to quit it without exploring the whole, but intended to resume his examination in the following year. Capt. Krusenstern does not himself believe,

that a communication exists between the North Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean, but remarks, that the discovery of this inlet holds out some probability that one may yet be found.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Dr Mitchell, of New York, in a letter written to a gentleman at Washington, mentions, in farther confirmation of the existence of great oceanic serpents, like the marine monster which appeared in August last in the ocean near the coast of Massachusett's, that he possesses the vertebræ and teeth of one dug out of a hill near Murfreesborough, from the bank of the Meherrin river, in North Carolina, 1816. A single joint of the back bone weighs 124lbs. and the two teeth 1lb. each. The teeth are triangular, having a base of 44 inches, and sides of six inches. These enormous relics are part of a skeleton at least 40 feet long, naturally buried in a gravelly stratum, abounding with the shells of clams and scallops, sixty miles from the ocean, at Currituck, and disinterred by digging away the ground for the construction of a mill. Captain Neville, from whom I received them, says Dr Mitchell, described to me the curious spectacle of the soil overspread with such huge remains of an animal perhaps like the one now alive and sporting in his element, and exciting the admiration of our citizens. A description of this latter has been drawn up by General David Humphreys, who has with great care collected all the evidence that could be procured respecting this extraordinary visitor. A committee appointed by the Linnean Society of New England has published a pamphlet on the same subject, containing numerous depositions of persons by whom this animal was seen. Evidence is also adduced, tending to prove that either this individual, or some other of the like species, has occasionally visited the Bay of Penobscot during the last thirty years. [See an article on the Great Sea Snake in our Number for January, p. 33.]

LONDON.

MR HAZLITT'S Lectures on English Poetry, delivered at the Surry Institution, will appear in a few days.

The first and second numbers of a

topographical work, entitled, "London before the great Fire," are announced for publication, by Messrs Boydell and Company. It will consist of a classical arrangement of plates, with historical

and descriptive accounts of the early state, buildings, monuments, and antiquities, of the metropolis; and will, combined with the letter-press, form a regular history and survey of London, as it existed prior to the year 1666. The prints already finished contain views or various buildings and places never before engraved. It will be continued periodically.

The Civil History of Rome to the Time of Augustus, by Henry Bankes, Esq. M. P. is in the press.

A View of the State of Europe during the middle ages, by Henry Hallam, Esq. is in a state of forwardness for publication.

Mr T. Yeates will shortly publish Indian Church History, or notices relative to the first planting of the Gospel in Syria, Mesopotamia, and India; compiled chiefly from the Syrian Chronicles; with an accurate account of the first Christian missions to China; with some interesting facts, hitherto unknown to the historians of Europe.

In the press, Familiar Lectures on Moral Philosophy; by John Prior Es tlin, LL. D. in 2 vols. 8vo.

A Companion to Mr James's Naval Work on the late American War is in the press, and will speedily be published; containing a full and correct account of the military occurrences of the late war between Great Britain and the United States of America; with an appendix of British and American official letters, and plates; by William James. Details will be given of all the actions fought between the British and American armies, during the late war; also of those operations along the coast, and on the borders of the lakes, creeks, and harbours of the United States, in which the two services acted conjointly.

The publication of the Regent's edition of the Latin Classics will henceforward be prosecuted with vigour, industry, and perseverance. Livy and Sallust are now in the press, under the editorial inspection of Dr J. Carey; to whom the public are already indebted for the Horace, Catullus, Tibullus, Propertius, Martial, Cæsar, Tacitus, and the second edition of the Virgil, with the Opuscula, recently published.

The Commerce of the World, containing a geographical description of the principal cities, sea-port towns, weights, measures, monies, and coins, reduced to the English standard; the courses of exchange, imports, exports, duties, drawbacks, &c.; by the Editor of the Commercial Dictionary, is in a state of forwardness for publication.

Considerations on the Impolicy and Pernicious Tendency of the present Administration of the Poor-laws; with suggestions for improving the condition of the poor; by the Rev. Charles Jerram, M. A.; are in the press, and nearly ready for publication.

Mr Keats will shortly publish Endymion, a poem.

Letters on the West Indies, by James Walker, Esq. late of Berbice, will soon appear.

The Lord of the Bright City; a poem; by H. H. Nielman, author of Fazio, will shortly appear.

In the course of the month will be published, the Fudge Family in Paris, in a series of letters from Phil. Fudge, Esq., Miss Biddy Fudge, &c. edited by J. Brown, the younger.

Mr Dickenson is about to publish the Justice Law of the last Five Years; intended as a Companion to his own work, as well as those of Burn and Wil. liams.

Mr John Matheson is about to publish a new System of Arithmetic, the object of which is to render general the application of decimals to mercan tile purposes, and to enable youth to comprehend the theory when they are learning the practice.

Mr F. W. Cronheim is preparing for the press, a new method of Book-keeping, double entry by single; applicable to all kinds of business, and exemplified in five sets of books; possessing the brevity of single entry, without its defects; and the proof of double entry, without its redundancies; and obtains, by two entries, the same results as the Italian system by four. Its universal applicability is proved, by distinct sets of books for retailers, wholesale dealers, manufacturers, merchants, and bankers; the whole comprising a great diversity of the forms and results of business, an improved arrangement of partnership accounts, and a plan of routine which will prevent fraudulent entries and era sures; comprised in one volume.

EDINBURGH.

New Tales of my Landlord. Collected and arranged by Jedediah Cleishbotham, Schoolmaster and Parish-clerk of Gandercleugh. 4 vols. 12mo.

Historical Account of Discoveries in the Seas and Countries round the North Pole, illustrated by Maps. By Hugh Murray, F. R.S. E. Author of an Historical Account of Africa, &c. One volume 8vo.

Inquiry into the Relation of Cause and Effect. By Thomas Brown, M. D.

branch of education; compiled with a view to save much useless expence to parents, to relieve tutors from perplexity, and to economize the time and labour of students; by the Rev. Joshua Collins, late master of the Grammar School at Newport; corrected to the present time by the Rev. W. Catlow, conductor of an Academy at Wimbledon, in Surrey. 1s.

HISTORY.

History of British India; by James Mill, Esq. with maps by Arrowsmith. 3 vols. 4to. L. 6, 6s.

A History of Europe, from the Treaty of Amiens in 1802, to the Pacification of Paris in 1815; by Charles Coote, LL.D. 8vo. 12s.

An Account of the War in Spain, Portugal, and France, from 1808 to 1814. By Lieut.-Col. J. T. Jones, R. A. 8vo. 15s.

Rogerson's edition of the History of the Wars, from the French Revolution to the Battle of Waterloo, with plates. 2 vols. 8vo. 20s.

HORTICULTURE.

Part II. Vol. VI. of the Transactions of the Horticultural Society of London, with nine engravings. 4to. L. 1, Is.

Sketches of Curvilinear Hot-houses, with a description of the various purposes in horticultural and general architecture, to which a solid iron sash bar, lately invented, is applicable; by J. C. Loudon, F.L.S. &c. 2s.

LAW.

A Treatise on the Game Laws: in which it is fully proved that game is now, and always has been, the property of the occupier of the land on which it is taken, by the law of England; by Edward Christian, Esq. 8vo. 16s.

The Law of Elections: comprising the law up to the present period, and the statutes relating to elections for England, Scotland, and Ireland, to the 58 Geo. III. inclusive; by Wm. T. Roe, Esq.

MEDICINE.

Remarks on the Medical Care of Parochial Poor with a few observations on the improvement of poor-houses, and on the necessity of establishing small infirmaries in populous towns; by J. C. Yeatman, surgeon. Is. 6d.

MISCELLANEOUS.

An Address to the Honourable Committee for the Relief of Distressed Seamen; containing the outline of an effectual plan for that purpose, pointing out defects in the payment of seamen's wages, and in the manner of taking seaapprentices. 2s. 6d.

Anti-Duello, or the Duell's Anatomie: a treatise, in which is discussed

the lawfulness and unlawfulness of single combats: first printed in the year 1632, with a preface by the Editor, and an ap pendix, containing the case of Lord Rae and Mr Ramsey, and James Cluff. 8vo. 28.

Adventures of a Post Captain; by a Naval Officer, with twenty-five plates, by Mr Williams. Royal 8vo. L. 1, 4s.

British Field Sports; by W. H. Scott, with many beautiful engravings, demy 8vo. L. 1, 18s.-royal 8vo. L. 3, 3s.

NOVELS, TALES, &c.

Benignity, or the Ways of Happi. ness: a serious novel, selected (with additional conversations) from the works of Henry Brooke, Esq.; by a Lady.12mo. 5s.

The Steyne: a satirical novel. 3 vols. L. 1, 1s.

The Maid of Killarney, or Albion and Flora: a modern tale, in which are interwoven some cursory remarks on religion and politics. 12mo. 3s. 6d.

Woman, or Minor Maxims: a sketch. 2 vols. 11s.

The Soldiers of Venezuela, a tale. 2 vols. 12mo.

POETRY.

Childe Harold's Pilgrimage to the Dead Sea, Death on the Pale Horse, and other Poems. 8vo. 5s.

Poems written by Somebody; most respectfully dedicated to Nobody, and intended for Everybody who can read. Fcp. 8vo. 3s. 6d.

Beppo, a Venetian Story. 8vo. 3s. 6d. Religio Clerici, a Churchman's Epis tle. 8vo. 3s.

Poems. By Arthur Brooke, Esq. of Canterbury. fc. 8vo. 7s.

Tasso's Jerusalem Delivered. Translated by the Rev. J. H. Hunt. 2 vols. 8vo. L. 1, 10s.

POLITICS AND POLITICAL ECONOMY.

A Complete Analysis or Abridgment of Dr Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations by Jeremiah Joyce. 6s.

Observations on a Bill introduced into Parliament in the Session of 1817, for the Amendment of the Law in respect of Modus for Tythes. By Ralph Barnes. 4s.

The Cries of the People, addressed to the King, the Ministry, and the French Nation. By M. Crevel, late Private Secretary to Prince Talleyrand. 8vo. 3s.

THEOLOGY.

The Protestant Reformation of the Sixteenth Century, briefly celebrated as a motive of national gratitude; by the Rev. C. E. de Coetlogan, A. M. rector of Godstone, Surrey. 8vo. 58.

The Indian Pilgrim; or the Progress of the Pilgrim Nazareenee, formerly