In order to charge the element thus constituted, it is only necessary to fill the lead tube with crystals of sulphate of copper and to pour water into the glass vessel until its level reaches within a centimeter and a half of the upper edge of the zinc. In an hour the copper will have dissolved sufficiently to allow the pile to begin its action. Experience has demonstrated that, whatever be the supply of copper that is put into the lead tube, the saturated solution _will never reach the zinc_, even in an open circuit. In sum, the new arrangement given to the Callaud element presents the following advantages: (1) It permits of the maintenance being confided to anybody, since this consists simply in the introduction into the central tube of crystals of sulphate of copper when it is seen that the blue tint of the lower liquid is disappearing. (2) It permits of proportioning the expense to the work really effected.--_La Nature_. [Illustration: Lodges, Portington Grange, Eastrington. Walter Hanstock, Architect. GROUND PLAN. CHAMBER PLAN. SUGGESTIONS IN ARCHITECTURE.--ENGLISH LODGES.] * * * * * LODGES. The walls of the buildings are best scarlet pressed bricks with white tuck joints; the wood framing is stained brown-black and well varnished; the windows finished white; cement filling, flat cream white; and Broseley strawberry tiles for roof. The buildings are situated in the center of a plantation, and the combination of color is most satisfactory. They are built at the principal entrance to Portington Grange, Eastrington, near Hull, and belong to Thomas Brearley, Esq., J.P. The works have been carried out under the direction of Mr. Walter Hanstock, architect, Batley.--_Building News_. * * * * * THE DECAY OF THE BUILDING STONES.[6] By Dr. A. A. JULIEN. The paper, which will be published in full by the Building Stone Department of the Tenth Census of the United States, considers the building stones employed in New York city and its suburbs, _i. e_., Brooklyn, Staten Island, Jersey City, and Hoboken. I. THE BUILDINGS, THEIR NUMBERS, AND COMMON MATERIALS. The materials of general construction occur in the following percentage proportion to the total number of buildings in the cities stated in the table below: