rpose
of commercial utility. Mr Rolt has, however, made some interesting
additions to the history of the garden spider, and has obtained the silk
in its natural state, exhibiting all its peculiar lustre; his method,
likewise, of winding the silk directly from the animal is, to say the
least of it, effectual and ingenious."

It should be added that "the Society are of opinion that it will never
be possible to employ spiders' silk, beautiful as it is, in any
profitable manufacture; but have thought proper to confer a reward on
this gentleman for his communication, as forming an interesting addition
to the natural history of the spider."

_Medicinal Employment of Holly Leaves._

Dr. Rousseau has obtained from the Medico-Botanical Society of London
its silver Medal, for an essay on the effects of holly leaves in fever:
he has cured several intermittent fevers by the remedy, whose alkali he
calls Ilicine.--_Gazette of Health._

_Tobacco no security against Cholera._

M. Chevalier proved, from documents, that the assertion made on a former
evening, that tobacco was a preservative against cholera, was erroneous.
He stated that twenty-seven mechanics employed in the tobacco
manufactories had died of the disease.--Ibid.

_Prussic Acid a Poison to Vegetables._

The sensitive plant, when exposed to the vapour of prussic acid,
instantly closes its leaves. The same plant, as well as other tender
plants, such as the garden pea and kidney bean, when subject to the
influence of this acid, quickly wither and die, and the laurel-water has
the same effect upon them. It appears also that plants which naturally
contain the acid, such as the cherry-laurel and almond tree, are not
less susceptible of its poisonous action than others. Seeds, steeped for
some time in the acid, lose their power of germination.--Ibid.

* * * * *

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.

* * * * *

THE COURT OF EGYPT. A SKETCH.

Two or three miles from Cairo, approached by an avenue of sycamores, is
Shubra, a favourite residence of the Pasha of Egypt. The palace, on the
banks of the Nile, is not remarkable for its size or splendour, but the
gardens are extensive and beautiful, and adorned by a Kiosk, which is
one of the most elegant and fanciful creations I can remember.

Emerging from fragrant bowers of orange trees, you suddenly perceive
before you, tall and glittering gates rising fr