fact that there are four millions of pigs yearly killed
in France, shows of how great importance they are to agriculturists.

_Indian Plaster._

All the fine plaster with which the walls of the houses are covered
in India, and which is so much admired by strangers, is composed of a
mixture of fine lime and soapstone, rubbed down with water: when the
plaster is nearly dry, it is rubbed over with a dry piece of soapstone,
which gives it a polish very much resembling that of well-polished
marble.

_Method of preserving Currants fresh till January or February._

When the fruit is ripe, choose those bushes enjoying a southern aspect,
and which are most convenient in their shape, and most loaded with
fruit, and surround them with thick straw mats, so that they shall be
completely sheltered from atmospheric cold and other changes. By this
simple method it will be found that the fruit may be preserved quite
fresh till after Christmas.

H.B.A.

_Chromate of Iron._

Is used in painting, dyeing, and calico-printing; and its value is so
great, the proprietor of a serpentine tract in Shetland, where chromate
of iron was found by Professor Jameson, cleared, in a few years,
8,000l.--_Dr. Murray_.

_Temperature of Springs._

In those situations where the cold is not sufficient to hinder the
circulation of water, the temperature of perennial springs is almost
identical with the atmosphere. Thus, in the vicinity of Edinburgh, the
temperature of the perennial springs agrees with the mean temperature of
the atmosphere. The same is the case in the whole of Atlantic Europe,
and also to a great extent in Southern Europe. The temperature of
springs in northern regions, when the surface water is frozen, is higher
than the mean temperature of the superincumbent atmosphere; and in the
countries from the south of Europe to the Tropic, the temperature of
springs is lower than that of the medium temperature of the atmosphere.

_Humboldt's Journey to Siberia._

Humboldt, although now past his 60th year, will leave Germany in the
spring, accompanied by Professor G. Rose, for Siberia. He will probably
extend his researches to the high land which separates India from the
Russian empire.

_Egyptian Manuscript relative to the History of Sesostris._

At the sitting of the Aix Academy, on the 3rd of August, M. Sallier read
a report of some very important discoveries in Egyptian history, made at
his house, and amongst his Egypti