Celestial phenomena, for December, 1834

359

Celestial Phenomena, for December.

some of your readers to present them a few remarks concerning its early history. previous to the sixth century, the art of rearing silk worms was unknown in Europe. Some small q u a n t i t y o f silk stufl~ had been brought to the Italian states, from Asia, but only persons of the first rank were able to procure them. Some idea may be formed of their scarcity, and the great estimation in which they were held, from the fact that, in ancient Rome, under Aurelius, A. D. 270, a pound of silk was considered equal in value to a pound of gold. In the sixth century, Justinian introduced the art of rearing silk worms into Greece, which rendered the commodity somewhat more plentiful; yet the supply was greatly inadequate to the demand, and it continued an article of luxur'¢ and magnificence, reserved for persons only of the first order, or for public solemnities. This is the first of its culture in Europe, and it was not until the beginning of the twelfth century that it was carried into the neighbouringcountries--a proof of the averse disposition of mankind to depart from the "beaten track of life." In the year I180, Roger I., king of Sicily, carried off a number of artificers in the silk trade, fi'om Athens, and, settling them in Palermo, introduced the culture of silk into his kingdom, from which it was communicated to other parts of Italy. From this period, silk increased in plentifulness throughout Europe, and, in the sixteenth century, silk worms were introduced into this country. Thus, an article which was originally confined to the half civilized countries of Asia, has at length become diffused over Europe and America, promoting the comfort and prosperity of the people. [Southern Planter. B.

CELESTIAL PHENOMENA, FOR DECEMBER, 1834. Calculaled bff S. C. [lfZalker.

10~]

1011

;/28 ;l 5

SSs, c Ira.

24 ~' Arietis,

,6, ,6,

2e4 o

,5,

0° 318 o

54 ° 13o

(85)

51 Em.

-

I 29 hn. I 54 Era.

135 46 9.0] 1 48 20 I 1 04 ~411 i 46

Arietis, ~ Cancri,

118

o

,6,

I 44 Era. [ 02 hn.

69

o

106 v Piscium,

t 5s/Era.

11|1 : I 20 /Ira.

1111 llJl 11/1 1811 1811

5 841 o

8~o

188 ° 118 °

284 ° 274 ° 164 °

287 °

338 o

N. App. 3) and - - Leon i s, 7, 3 8 . 0 ,¢o¢~ or eont , t. " 9 ~) and 4'2Leonis, 6, 3) N. 2 ' , g hn. 42 i Leonis, ,6, 46 ° 513° Em. 2520 2r9 o Contact ~ and 258 Virginis, 7, or short occult'~n.

36O

New Invention.,.-The proverb realized~ "The Cart before the tlov,e. '~ I tZ~D~L~n% Aug. 15. In the month oi May last~ there was seenin the streets of Manheim~ a horse pushing betbve him a carriage~ guided with much address by Baron Drais~ the author of this invention~ which is attended with great advantages:--1. T h e horse cannot run away. 2. T h e carriage i~ not exposed to the dust and dirt generally thrown up by the horse. 3. The prospect is not k~terrupted by the coachman and the horses. 4. The conversation of the travellers cannot be overheard by the coachman. 5. The travellers are not incommoded by the fumes of the tobacc% &c. T h e coach.box will be placed on the roof or the carriag% behind, ar,d~ by means of a looking-glass, the driver is able to guide the vehicle. This invention is applicable to carriages drawa by four horses.

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Maximuln

,Minimuln 'Yfcan

' r ll~rll/Olllel~l. n t o n t h ~ 8~. o n 7 t h , do. , 3fL o n 3 0 t h . do. 64.05

height d0.ring t h e

| | a l ' o l n c t e r. 30.65 on 5tb. ~9,65on lOth. 29.98