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transaction of other general business, the members separated, well satisfied with the success which has continued to attend the operations of the Society.

CHELTENHAM.-Courses of lectures have been commenced, and are fully attended, both at the Literary and Philosophical Institutions and the Athenæum. Among the lecturers engaged are Dr. Lankester, the Rev. H. Christmas, F. R. Bennett, Esq., P. L. Simmonds, Esq., and Mr. Balfour; and gratuitous lectures have also been delivered by Dr. Humphreys, of the Grammar School, and other friends of educational progress.

HUNTINGDON.-A meeting took place at the Literary and Scientific Institution on Friday evening, the 7th inst., for the purpose of elucidating some views tending to advance the education and instruction of the young men of the town in the useful sciences, in order to qualify them to become candidates for the prizes offered by the | Society of Arts. The chair was taken by Michael Foster, Esq., the president, who stated the advantages which were likely to arise to those who would systematically undertake the studies which would enable them to put themselves in competition with those who were desirous to obtain appointments to public situations. He remarked that the system of obtaining places by patronage was now happily on the decrease, and it was by talent alone that for the future men could hope to attain to official situations; the East India Company, amongst others, had thrown their immense patronage open to public competition, and almost one of their first appointments, under the new system, worth £1,200 a year, had been given to the son of a tradesman of Royston. He saw no reason why the young men of Huntingdon should not make the attempt to obtain some of the prizes, which were within the reach of all who had talent and energy to qualify themselves for the ordeal. Mr. Honey, of Cowper's House Academy, explained at length the various branches of study in which young men would have to be examined-such as chemistry, mathematics, natural philosophy, and other sciences, for which the Society of Arts offered prizes varying from £25 to £10, besides giving certificates, which carried with them a recommendation to almost any situation for which the holder might become a candidate. For himself, he was ready on the formation of the classes to give instruction in any branch which came within his power; and he would say further, that where he was not himself competent, he would undertake to find masters at his own expense. He urged the young men to lose no time in taking advantage of the boon now offered to them.-The Rev. R. C. Black thought the scheme deserved encouragement; it was too often the case that when youths left school they thought their education was finished; whereas they had in fact only laid the foundation for that more serious study which was to aid them if they desired to attain distinction in after life.-The Rev. V. H. Millard spoke of the great advantage which the plan held out to young men with any pretensions to ability and perseverance. Some of the most eminent men of the present day had risen from the lower classes, by that systematic attention to any particular study for which their minds seemed to be designed. He instanced Sir Joseph Paxton, who was originally only a labouring lad in the Duke of Devonshire's garden; the late Hugh Miller, the geologist, who for many years worked in a quarry, and obtained his first insight into the depths of that science from the circumstance of being so placed; but then, when the talent in either case displayed itself, these men read and thought and worked hard to attain the proficiency which they subsequently enjoyed. And so it must be with all who desired to excel. They must educate the particular talent with which they were blessed; the muscular arm of the brawny smith could never wield the sledge hammer, if it were not trained to the occupation; and what that training was to the arm, education was to the mind; it formed it, strengthened it, and enabled it to overcome all difficulties that stood in the way of its advancement.

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The Society of Arts, desirous to promote the education of the people, had instituted these prizes, that there might be some incentive to study, and he saw no reason why some of those he saw around him should not participate in them, if with a vigorous determination they set themselves to work to do so.-Some other gentlemen briefly addressed the meeting, and thanks having been voted to the chairman, the meeting broke up.

MASHAM.-The inauguration of the new building to be called the Riddell Memorial Mechanics' Institute, took place on Monday, the 3rd inst. It contains a well proportioned class-room, a library and reading-room, besides a large vestibule, staircase, kitchen, &c., and a lecture-room, forty feet by twenty feet, with an elegantly designed roof and pannelled ceiling, a committee-room, an ante-room, a room intended for a museum, &c. The style is plain Italian, and presents three elevations, that in the centre with a southern aspect being very handsome. The chair was taken by J. Fisher, Esq., who, after having opened the business of the meeting, read the report of the building committee, which congratulates the subscribers on the successful accomplishment of their undertaking, in the completion of the very handsome building in which they were assembled, for the purpose of inaugurating it as a memorial to the memory of their much esteemed vicar, the late Rev. Thomas Riddell, who, for a period of nearly 15 years, had endeared himself to those committed to his charge by his exemplary and pious life. Soon after his sudden and melancholy death, a strong desire was expressed by many of his parishioners and friends to pay some mark of respect to his memory, and at the same time to preserve and hand down to posterity some lasting and useful record of him and his connection with the parish. As he had in his lifetime taken a very lively interest in this Institute from its first establishment until his death, it was determined to erect to his memory a handsome bulding in Masham for a Mechanics' Institute, to be called "The Riddell Memorial Mechanics' Institute." The Master and Fellows of Trinity College, Cambridge, granted the site, and gave a donation of £20 towards the building fund. A subscription was set on foot for the erection of the building, and in a short time it amounted to the sum of £461. The ladies of Masham formed themselves into a committee and got up a fancy fair and bazaar in aid of the building fund. This was held, by the kind_permission of Admiral and Mrs. Danby Vernon Harcourt, in Swinton Park, on the 9th of July last, and realised the sum of £275, which, with the £461 raised by subscription, made the sum of £736 applicable to the erection of the building. In addition to this it should be mentioned, that many of the neighbouring farmers gratuitously led a great portion of the materials for the building. The funds having been thus raised, Messrs. Perkin and Backhouse, architects, of Leeds, kindly volunteered to present the committee with the design of the present edifice. The first stone was laid on the 15th of March last, by Admiral Harcourt, of Swintonpark, in the presence of Timothy Hutton, Esq., of Clifton Castle, the Rev. Thos. Hedley, M.A., Vicar of Masham, William Perkin, Esq. (the architect), the officers and committee of the Institute, and a large concourse of the inhabitants of Masham and its neighbourhood. The Rev. Canon TREVOR, of York, in an address of some length, moved the adoption of the report, which was seconded by the Rev. Thos. Hedley, Vicar of Masham; the Rev. Dr. Whiteside, Vicar of Scarborongh, the Rev. S. H. Atkins, of Studley, Barnett Blake, Esq., lecturer to the Yorkshire Union of Mechanics' Institutes, and the Rev. Phineas Stubbs, Vicar of Well, subsequently addressed the meeting, which separated after passing several votes of thanks.

WAKEFIELD. The Annual Report of the Mechanics' Institution states that the Exhibition and Bazaar held last year, with a view to paying off the debt upon the purchase of the building, realised upwards of £1,000.

2290.

2370.

2459.

PATENT LAW AMENDMENT ACT.

APPLICATIONS FOR PATENTS AND PROTECTION ALLOWED.

[From Gazette, November 14th, 1856.]

Dated 15th September, 1856.

applicable to the tops of omnibuses and other carriages. Dated 1st October, 1856.

Pierre Armand le Comte de Fontaine-Moreau, 39, Rue de

l'Echiquier, Paris-An improved voltaic battery.
munication.)

Dated 3rd October, 1856.

proved lamp oil.

Dated 9th October, 1856.!

(A com

William Stettinius Clark, High Holborn-Improvements in the construction of churns for producing butter. (A communication.)

John Shaw and Edwin Shaw, Glossop, Derby-Certain improvements in pianofortes, organs, harmoniums, and other similar keyed musical instruments.

Dated 11th October, 1856.

Anton Bruno Seithen, 12, Alpha-place, Caledonian-roadImprovements in machinery or apparatus for cutting cork in the process of shaping and making stoppers of cork, and in the treatment of cork to be employed in the said processes, and to be applied to other useful purposes.

Dated October 17th, 1856.

Dated 20th October, 1856.

George Wilson, Glasgow-Improvements in power looms. Robert George Barrow, 15, Wade-street, Poplar-A self-maintaining motive power obtained from water, air, or any other fluid or liquid.

Charles Robert Freeman, Eaton, Norwich, and William Drake

Key, Norwich-Improvements in manufacturing food for animals.

Dated October 22nd, 1856.

The number of members at present on the books is 812, and the average attendance at the Monday evening lectures has been about 300. The lecturers were as follows: -Dr. Cantor, London-The Philosophy of Nutrition; Physionomy and Temperament. T. Brittain, Esq., 2152. Felix Moreau, 39, Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris-Improvements Manchester-The Microscope applied to Animal Physiology. Mr. John Cameron-Cram and Culture; Books, and how to read them, illustrated by Readings and Critical Exposition of Passages; Artistic, Scientific, and Philosophic Culture. Rev. J. G. Miall, Bradford-The History of Transit, Ancient and Modern. Rev. W. H. 2321. Blanche Palmire Mosqueron, Widow Vilcoq, Paris-An im Channing-On American Slavery. E. H. Durden, Esq., F.C.S., Leeds-New Materials for the Manufacture of 2363. Paper. Henry Currer Briggs, Esq.-On the difficulties attending the safe and successful working of Coal Mines. R. M. Milnes, Esq., M.P.-A Reading from his own Poems. S. Wilderspin, Esq.-On Infant Education. Rev. H. V. Palmer, York-Modern Fortification, its principles familiarly explained and illustrated. E. B. 2385. Wheatley, Esq., Hopton-On certain Industrial Schools in France. Frederick Dykes, Esq., Beverley-French Literature in the 12th and 13th Centuries. T. G. Wright, Esq., M.D.-The Magnetic Telegraph. Rev. J. S. Eastmead-The Vicar of Wakefield and its Au-2328. thor. Mr. Edmund Wheeler, London-Electric Tele- 2455. graphs for Printing, Writing, and Copying; Stationary, Marine, and Locomotive Steam Engines, illustrated by Diagrams and Working Models. Mr. Samuel Braithwaite, Whitby-Jet and its Manufacture. Rev. W. R. Bowditch-The Science of Common Things. Dr. William Alexander, Halifax-The Injuries to Health inci- 2479. dent to certain Mining and Manufacturing Processes. Rev. J. H. Ryland-The Early Life and Writings of Milton. Mr. John Newby, Ackworth-The Institution 2486. of the Knights Templars. J. B. Greenwood, Esq., Dewsbury-What are we to do with our Young Thieves? Rev. A. Perry, M.D.-On the Human Brain, considered in some of its relations, physical, intellectual, and moral. Rev. A. Cassels, Batley-On Shoddy, and its Manufacture. In addition to the above, a course of ten lectures was delivered by the Rev. W. R. Bowditch, "On the Scientific Principles of some Common Things," and one by the Rev. A. J. D'Orsey, on "What to learn, and how to learn it." An improvement as to number and quality has taken place in the classes, and the subjects taught are reading, writing, and arithmetic, French, pencil drawing, modelling, chemistry, and natural history. The Practical Art Class, for Free-hand and Mechanical Drawing, Designing, and Modelling, is conducted by Mr. J. White, head master of the Leeds School of Practical Art. This class meets every Tuesday evening, and affords especial advantages to Masons, Builders, Plasterers, Joiners, Cabinet-Makers, Upholsterers, Carvers and Gilders, Painters, Machinists, Ironfounders, and all whose business requires a knowledge of Drawing, Designing, and Modelling. Such members of the class as are sufficiently advanced, will be eligible to compete for the prizes and certificates offered by the Society of Arts, at the Examination which is to be held at Huddersfield next Whitsuntide.

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2508.

2510.

2514.

2515.

2516.

Carl Heinrich Julius Wilhem Maximilian Liebmann, Fartown Huddersfield-An improvement in purifying water. (A communication).

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Benjamin Ferrey, Trinity-place, Charing-cross-An improve ment in producing ornamental plastering or stucco work. John Birkin, West Bridgeford, Nottingham-Improvements in dressing and cleaning wheat and other grain.

2517. Hugo Frederick Forbes, Florence, Tuscany-An improved 2519. Thomas Allen, Adelphi-terrace-Improvements in the perma

2521.

2522.

2523.

2524.

copying press.

nent way of railways.

Philipp Schaffer and Frederick Schaffer, Brewer-street-An improved handle for desks, deed and despatch boxes, bags, furniture, and other articles to which handles are applied. William Edward Newton, 66, Chancery-lane-Improved means of economising the waste heat of furnaces or fire-places. (A Michael Dognin, Lyons, France-Improvements in machinery communication).

for making lace or net.

Dated 28th October, 1856.

William Brodie, Belhaven, East Lothian-Improvements in

the manufacture or production of roofing tiles.
Edward Thornhill Simpson, Calder Soap Works, Wakefield-
Improvements in the manufacture of soap

2525.
2526. Adolphe Ernest Ragon, Bernard-street, Ruesell-square-Im-
provements in apparatus for indicating and recording the
speed of ships. (A communication.)

2527. William Septimus Losh, Wreay Syke, Cumberland-Improve-
ments in the preparation of size, which may also be used as
a waterproof varnish or coating.

2528. Jean Louis Marie, Paris-Improvements in raising, propelling, and forcing water and other fluids, and in obtaining motive power.

2529.

William Armand Gilbee, 4, South-street, Finsbury-Improvements in the construction of smoke-consuming furnaces— (A communication.)

2530. Joseph Armstrong, Normanton-Improvements in the permanent way of railways.

2531. Samuel Russell, 12, Sheaf-gardens, Sheffield-Improvements
in the manufacture of teapot-handles, knobs, door-plates,
finger-plates, razor scales, and knife handles.

2532. James Kinder Cheetham, Rochdale, Lancashire-Improve-
ments in the manufacture of iron and steel.
2533. Adolphe Aubril, Newman-street, Oxford-street-The novel
application of a certain root to the manufacture of starch,
paper, and cardboard.

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2545. Peter Fairbairn, Leeds, and Robert Newton, Liverpool-Im-2586. provements in machinery for dressing waste silk.

2547. John Thomas Way, Welbeck-street-Improvements in obtain- 2587.
ing light by electricity.

2549. John Macallum, Kames Gunpowder Mills, Argyle, N.B.-Im-2588.
provements in the preparation or refining of saltpetre.
Dated 30th October, 1855.

2551. Constantine John Baptist Torassa, Genoa-An apparatus for
calculating the speed of vessels at sea, as well as obtaining
the extent of their destination caused by the side winds.
2553. John Gibbon, Northfleet, Kent-Improvements in chaff-cut-
ting machines.

2589.

2590.

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2563. Edward Joseph Hughes, Manchester-An improved mode, or
method of concentrating the colouring matter of certain
vegetable substances.
2564. Joseph Browne, Liverpool-Improvements in the construction
and working of ships' windlasses and capstans, part of which
improvements are also applicable for steering ships and other
vessels.

2566. Benjamin Stott, Salford, near Manchester-Improvements in
machinery or apparatus for preparing, spinning, and doubling
cotton, wool, flax, or other fibrous materials.
2567. John Young, Wolverhampton-Improvements in flooring cramps
and lifting jacks.

2568. John Parbery, Northampton-Certain improvements in horse
collars.

2569. James Coul Sinclair, Elgin, Moray, N.B.-Improvements in
treating, preparing, and drying agricultural produce.
2570. Thomas Ainsley Cook, Newcastle-on-Tyne-Improvements in
treating manganese ores.

2571. John Warne, Blackfriars-road-Improvements in beer engines.
2572. Josiah Stone, Park Terrace, New Cross, Kent - Improve-
ments in the construction of force pumps.

2595.
2597.

2599.

2601.

2603.

in such or other furnaces or fireplaces, or that escapes from the retorts and other parts of the apparatus used in the manufacture of gas.

Dated 4th November, 1856. Joshua Murgatroyd, Stockport-Improvements in machinery or apparatus for spinning, cleaning, doubling, and throwing silk, part of which improvements are applicable to machinery for roving and doubling cotton and other fibrous substances, Henry Bessemer, Queen-street-place, New Cannon-street-Improvements in the manufacture of rails, or railway bars, and axles.

Ethan Campbell, Boston, U.S.-A new and useful or improved apparatus for propelling a navigable vessel.

William Gray and John Tate, Newcastle-on-Tyne-Improvements in apparatus for washing.

Joseph Jessop, West Gate, Bradford-Improvements in machinery for washing, wringing, and mangleing.

Samuel Cotton, Broughton, near Manchester-An improved mode or method of regulating or governing lift, tilt, or other hammers worked by mechanical power.

William Edward Newton, 66, Chancery-lane-Improved machinery for riming and tapping gas fittings. (A communication.)

William Edward Newton, 66, Chancery-lane-Improved machinery for sweeping floors, streets, and walks. (A com munication.)

Dated 5th November, 1856.

William Weild, Manchester-Improvements in velvet or cut pile fabrics, and in looms or machinery used for weaving such velvet and other loop pile fabrics.

William Edward Wiley, 34, Great Hampton-street, Birming-
ham-Improvements in pen-holders.

James Fernihough, Dukinfield, Chester, and Robert Farrow,
Leek, Stafford-A self-acting apparatus for regulating the
supply of atmospheric air to furnaces, gas stoves, and other
closed vessels used for the consumption of fuel or combustible
gases, by preventing the formation of smoke therefrom, and
thereby economising such fuel or combustible gases.
William Clissold, Dudbridge, Gloucestershire-Improved ap-
paratus for regulating the supply of water to water-wheels.
Henry Hill, Stepney-An improvement in locks for bags and

other like articles.

Robert William Sievier, Upper Holloway-An improvement in the mode of treating saccharine juices in the manufacture of sugar.

WEEKLY LIST OF PATENTS SEALED.

Sealed November 14th, 1856. 1138. Uriah Scott.

1145. William Evans.

1148. William Norris and Robert
King.

1149. James Young Simpson and
Wyville Thomson.
1151. Robert Foulds and William
Bracewell.

1159. William Thistlethwaite.

2573. William Henry Moore, 3, Wenlock-place, City-road-Improve- 1166. Richard Coleman.
ments in railway signals.

2574. William Joseph Curtis, 1, Sebbon-street, Islington-Improve-1171.
ments in lighting and ventilating railway carriages.
Dated 3rd November, 1856.

2575. John Jobson, Litchurch, Derby-Improvements in the manu-
facture of railway chairs.

2576. Samuel Tearne, and George William Richmond, Birmingham
-Certain improvements in producing ornamental designs on
the surfaces of fancy and other goods made of papier mache,
wood, glass, china, earthenware, tin, iron, or other such like
materials, the surfaces of which when made up are usually
finished by staining, varnishing, painting, or japanning.
2577. James Nasmyth and Robert Wilson, Patricroft, near Man-
chester-Improvements in hydraulic pumps and presses for
packing cotton and other articles of the like nature.
2578. Samuel Middleton, 15, Porter-street, Newport-market-Im-
provements in the manufacture of certain articles of leather
without seams.

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1167. David Curwood.
Louis Cornides.
1172. Johan Jacob Meyer.
1175. Richard Knight.
1187. William Maugham.
1225. Germain Barruel.
1261. John Roberts.

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1262. Thomas Charlton and Wil- 1461. George Davies.
liam Turnbull.
1263. James Baird.
1292. Henry Bessemer.
1293. William Gossage.
1308. James Nasmyth.
1507. James Aikman.
1815. Thomas Wicksteed.

3

1605. Henry Page.

1687. Charles Carey.

1807. Constantine John Baptist Torassa.

1

1981. Henry Bessemer.

1987. Charles Carey.

2952. Joseph Crossley and James 2097. John Watson and Charles Frederic Halle.

Bolton.

2579. John White, Glasgow-Improvements in preparing for spinning PATENTS ON WHICH THE THIRD YEAR'S STAMP DUTY HAS BEEN PAID.

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Natal Agricultural and Horticultural Society. The following Schools have been taken into Union since the last announcement :

Birmingham, Bristol-road School.

Making Place Hall (near Halifax) Academy.
The Paper read was :—

INDIAN FIBRES, BEING A SEQUEL TO OBSER-
VATIONS "ON INDIAN FIBRES FIT FOR
TEXTILE FABRICS, OR FOR ROPE AND
PAPER MAKING."*

BY J. FORBES ROYLE, M.D., F.R.S. In proposing to re-introduce the members of the Society to a subject which they so recently discussed, I feel that some apology is necessary, the more particularly as it is not one to which I myself am specially wedded. Indeed, in Paris, I promised our Secretary a Paper on the Oils and Fatty Substances of India, a promise which I hope yet to be able to redeem. An increased supply of materials for cordage, clothing, and paper-making, is, however, not an unimportant one, as I have endeavoured to show; and though my paper on this subject was written at the request of the Council, and that on paper-materials at the call of the Board of Trade, and both in consequence of the anticipated deficiency of the ordinary sources of supply, I had long before endeavoured to have turned to account the true hemp plant which grows in such abundance in some parts of North-Western India, and had, at a still earlier period, thought, like so many others, that as India grows and exports such large quantities of linseed, there must be a corresponding production of flax, and, as none was collected, there must be proportionate waste.

and the marool yield large quantities of white fibres. Among the palms, in addition to cocoa-nut fibre, we have the black Ejoo fibre, remarkable as well for strength as for incorruptibility when exposed to wet. As the lime tree yields Russian bast, so the jute and its congeners of the same family are now equally indispensable to our manufactures. As the leguminous and malvaceous classes of plants include several groups, of which numerous species abound in fibres, so do also the Asclepiads and the nettles; combining to afford us any variety of fineness and of strength which we can expect, or I may almost say wish for in fibres. The climate, moreover, is favourable for the growth of these fibre-yielding plants; for as most of those to which I have to allude belong to the indigenous flora of India, their period of growth is during the rainy season, when there is suitable heat and abundant moisture; thus is secured the rapid growth of the parts of vegetation in which almost entirely these fibre abound. As the rainy season comes to an end after three, or in some parts, four months, there is usually fine weather for the separation and preparation of these fibres. In these operations, however, I believe the natives may very profitably be assisted with some cheap machinery, and be taught improved and yet simple methods of preparing their fibres for market. There is, moreover, great abundance of unoccupied land as well as of cheap labour, and easy accessibility, either by sea or river carriage, to the places where the fibres chiefly abound. It has no doubt been in consequence of the suitableness of all these essentials that the import of fibres from the East has so rapidly increased. Thus, as I have already quoted from McCulloch's Commercial Dictionary :HEMP IMPORTED INTO THE UNITED KINGDOM.

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hemp

QUANTITIES IMPORTED INTO THE UNITED KINGDOM IN THE NINE MONTHS ENDED

30TH SEPTEMBER, 1856.

From British
Territories in the
East Indies,exclu-

sive of Singa

pore and Ceylon.

Ceylon.

Singapore,

Other

Countries.

Aggregate

of the

Importations.

Cwt. 13,618

Cwt.

593 37,777

Cwt. Cwt.

Cwt. 13,025

209 342,165 380,151

10,095 10,095 16,311 546,128

undressed tow, or codilla of

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Jute...... Other vegetable substances of the nature and quality of undressed hemp

My attention has been directed to these fibrous substances in a greater degree than to some other Indian products, because India appears to me to be pre-eminently a country for fibres, and because I believe that a great mass of valuable material, which now yearly runs to waste, may more readily than almost anything else be turned to profitable account. In the first place, the vegetation of the country is characterised by a teeming abundance in species of plants known to abound in fibres. Thus, Office of the Inspector-General of Imports and Exports, without enumerating the gigantic grasses, the plantain

* See Journal of Society of Arts, vol. ii., p. 366.

569,080

1,431 209 383,472 954,192 JOHN A. MESSENGER.

Custom-house, London, Nov. 22nd, 1856.

The soil and climate are also favourable to the other plants which have been introduced from other countries;

thus, the pine-apple now abounds in Assam and in the Indian islands, also in Pegu: the agave or American aloe is quite at home in the comparatively dry climates of the Deccan and of Mysore. The flax plant is itself extensively cultivated in the plains, but only on account of its linseed, as also the true hemp plant; the latter for the intoxicating secretions of its leaves.

By some it may be asked, why, if so favourable to the production of fibre, does not India produce larger quantities, or a better quality of cotton. The question might be answered by stating that cotton is not fibrous but cellular tissue. But a more proper answer would be, that cotton is a production of the fruit and not of the stem or leaves of a plant; and it does not follow that a climate which promotes the growth of certain parts of vegetation is also favourable for the maturation of fruit; indeed, the converse is not unfrequently the case. Therefore, though the seasons may be well suited for all the purposes of indigenous species, they may not be so for those which are foreign to the soil. This is the case with the American cotton plant; for it is not the short-stapled Indian cotton which our manufacturers require, but American cotton grown in India. Though this grows vigorously in most parts of India during the rainy season, it is unable, with its short roots and broad expanded leaves, to bear the transition from the moisture of the rains to the comparative dryness at their conclusion. Failure has therefore ensued in many places, but in others, as the district of Dharwar, there are 60,000 acres under cultivation with American cotton; but there the plant has the advantage of the influence of the two monsoons. I believe it will be possible in other districts, as the irrigation canals come fully into operation, so to moderate the transition from moisture to dryness as to allow of the full ripening of the fruit, and, therefore, of the formation of good stapled cotton.

To return, however, to our subject. I have myself been induced to return to it, because some new fibres of good quality, and old ones from new situations, were sent to the Paris Exhibition. Much additional information has been obtained on some points, and ample confirmation of the views I formerly promulgated. I have been encouraged also to proceed with this subject, from the attention which it has excited, and from the numerous inquiries which continue to be made of me respecting these Indian fibres: likewise from my having been informed from the best sources that in the busy hives where the fibre manufactures are chiefly carried on, they yet require still larger supplies, either of those which are in commerce, or of such as are most like them, and therefore, most easily substituted. I know, also, that several engineers are employed in ascertaining improved methods of separation and of preparation, not only of fibres in general, but of these in particular. And, though last, not the least important result will be, that improved information cannot fail to be useful to some of our fellowsubjects of the East, who are, perhaps, apt to depreciate indigenous products; while some of them may be induced to grow or to use what is valuable in neighbouring districts (for some complain that there is no market even for a valuable product), while a few may perhaps be induced to send theirs in an improved state, in order to realise a higher price in the market.

little or no knowledge of what is of value in the foreign market. Any one of the points of this circle of connections being omitted is sufficient, as has often been experienced, to put a stop to progress in a new course. Such inquiries are, moreover, of especial utility if carried on in connection with a Society like the present, where every subject has the advantage of being submitted to the examination of men who, by their scientific attainments and practical knowledge, are the best qualified to form a correct judgment on the value of unknown products or of the new inventions brought before them. For, as I before stated, it is only by the union of scientific principles with practical knowledge that any great results are, in the present day, to be obtained. For, if we rely upon the latter only, we may, sometime, when apparently proceeding at railway speed, be brought to a sudden, and occasionally disastrous termination by the neglect of some single point; while, if we rely upon scientific principles only, we may often be shunted off, though we can avail ourselves of legitimate modes for returning to the course we were wishing to pursue.

Having on a previous occasion, as well as in a separate
work, dwelt on the great variety of Indian fibres, of
which we now have a very extended display, it is not my
intention either to enumerate or to describe the great
variety of fibres which are, and may be, produced in
India. But I propose rather to dwell upon those which
are at present most worthy of attention, because possessed
of superior qualities, or procurable in larger quantities,
or because they are wanted by manufacturers in Europe
for particular purposes. Therefore, I shall arrange my
observations under the heads of the purposes to which
different fibres are applicable, rather than under the
names of each particular fibre,-thus:—
1. Basts and barks.

2. Platting and mat-making materials.
3. Cordage fibres.
4. Textile fibres.

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Though I commence my observations with basts or barks, it is not because I think them of primary importance, for I am well aware that carriage and freight must operate against their being brought in any large quantities from such great distances; but still, some useful information may be elicited respecting them, and applied to other subjects. The bast now chiefly used is that employed for making Russia mats. Of these about 3 millions were annually exported from Russia, and of them from 500,000 to 800,000 were brought to this country, selling for about £5 per 100; but gardeners have, for some time been in the habit of tying up plants with Cuba bast. The origin of this was, until lately, quite unknown. In describing the basts or inner barks of several trees which had been sent from Assam, &c., I stated, that among the Indian species of Grewia, as well as among the Malvaceæ, there were numerous bast-yielding plants. I specially mentioned, as those used by the natives, the bast of Hibiscus arboreus, or liliaceus, Sterculia Such investigations, though they may not appear prac-villosa, and others. It is curious that Sir W. Hooker, in tical, are, however, of great use in enabling the inquiring a late number of the Journal of Botany, has ascertained and intelligent manufacturer to become acquainted with that Cuba bast is produced by a West India tree named the properties and probable quantities of new substances. Hibiscus elatus,* and which appears to be nothing more The broker is able to say something more respecting than a variety of Hibiscus liliaceus; that is the very same them than that "they are unknown in the market," and species as that I have just mentioned as one of those of therefore of no value. As a further consequence, the which the bast is in use by the natives of India. Dr. local merchant or capitalist abroad is able to purchase, Lindley, in the Gardeners' Chronicle of Nov. 8, hopes or make advances on what there is some probability of" that this useful material may now be prepared in our selling at reasonable prices in foreign markets. Finally, colonies, and sold at a lower price than it bears at the European planter or native cultivator is encouraged present."

to grow or to prepare what appears to him of the greatest value, because it finds a local purchaser; for he has

* Journal of the Society of Arts, Vol. IV., p. 786.

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