Note. The reader will easily conclude, from the cause I have assigned, as the means of promoting heat by this application, that the accumulation, is in a ratio to the surface covered. Hence also the danger of healthful persons incorrectly resorting to this coverlet, as several ladies and gentlemen experienced in London, the oil-skin is applicable only in cold weather, or feebleness, &c.

A cloak may be safely used composed of this substance, provided the collar was kept from contact of the person so as to admit air, and the same was used in the body; there should not be any arms, but a lap seul as the hussar cloaks. Several British officers died, in consequence of tight cloaks, during the war on the Peninsula, from the heat excited, which exposed them to the influence of sudden transition.

Envelop. Where great cold is expetienced, or sudden perspiration denoted, would an envelop of flannel, applied to the skin, around which a similar covering of oil-skin may be wrapped, produce the intended effect? My experiments on myself seem to favour this opinion.*

Vapour-Bath. No circumstance harrowed up my feelings more cruelly than the sufferings of patients in the yellowfever hospitals, which I have visited abroad. The fatigue endured by conveying them from their chambers to the vapour bath, seemed to induce aggravated symptoms. This occasioned my proposing the plan of the following portable vapour-bath, formed of oiled silk or

The improper treatment of domesticated animals, seems to pervert their constitution. Gentlemen of the veterinary art, have observed to me the frequent failure of sudorific medicines, given to the horse. Would a covering of oil-skin produce the effect wished, by exciting the cuticular system?-Are not our animals too much confined in houses? I have observed in my travels, that no cattle were so well conditioned as those that never were housed. Where the constitution is sound, no children, no people suffer so little from inclemency of any kind, as those who do not indulge in warm clothing. I fear your readers may suspect me as too much bordering on quackery, too sanguine and extended in my proposals and applications of oil-skin, but the unprejudiced man must perceive, that my recommendations flow from the structure of the skin, and my belief of its functions; as also its perversion of structure by too much covering, by debilitating causes, &c. and the necessity of counteracting this state, by a substance adapted to exclude powerful transitions, and to facilitate the operations of na

Lure.

cloth, or painted cloth. I shall refer to the annexed diagram for conveying a notion of this apparatus.*

In yellow fever, in languid cases, in high temperatures of climate, in low typhus, &c. vapour-bath became the only preparatory means by which I quelled the irritation of the stomach, and thus paved the way for medical application.

I have only to add, that cheapness and durability of an article so extensively useful as the substance, the application of which I have proposed, has become an object of my attention. Mr. John Hargrave has, at his own expense, in a manner equally polite and philanthropic, furnished me with materials, and instituted such experiments as I suggested. This gentleman, therefore, is in possession of my opinions, respecting not only the manner of preparing oiled silk and cloth, but merits my recommending him to public attention and confidence,

In this dreadful malady, so exhausted are the powers of nature occasionally, I have witnessed a patient, in the syncopy of death, from the indiscretion of the nurse permitting him to rise to make water or stool, in place of introducing the bed-pan. I was forced to permit the unhappy victims to remain longer in the squalid linens they wore than cleanliness seemed to dictate, as shifting them, often terminated in fainting, in aggravated symptoms, and even in death.

+ In all cases of irritation or spasm, as asthma, colds, incipient fever, &c. vapour-bath seems denoted as a laudable application; and, if the plan proposed here succeeds, much expense incurred by individuals in the use of public baths will be saved, and invalids can always enjoy their benefit at home at an easier rate. In a future communication, I intend to offer remarks on the cases where cold-bath, warm-bath, and vapour-bath, are peculiarly denoted-where the above mode of vapour-bath proposed, will be recommended in cases of corpulency, by which means, when assisted by bandaging the arms, legs, and trunk, the vessels acquire habitual tone, and the system may be altered. I beg leave to mention another purpose to which oil-skin is applied with happy influence, i. e. In cutaneous affections of the limbs in particular, as this is usually connected with enlarged veins, and a derangement of the structure of the cutis verer, banda ing supports the vessels and restores tone; where itching and heat are accompa niments, this roller ought to be saturated with lime water-mercurial additions seem unnecessary to the water; over the roller apply an oil-skin cover, by which means the moisture is protracted, and indeed, a seeming emolient effect which often produces laudable influence. I recommend bathing the parts in water as warm as can be endured when the bandage is changed, and friction used in the course of the venous circulation.

A, represents a frame, on which a bed or mattress is laid for the reception of the patient. That this mattress or bed may alway be ready for use, it ought to be furnished with an oil-cloth cover, which will repel the vapour to be included. A blanket is placed on the mattress or bed, the patient is to be placed on the same, wrapped up in a blanket. B, is the frame of the vapour-bath, suited to the frame A. In the frame B, longitudinal openings, defended by iron plates, admit iron turning-pins, C, which spring from the frame, B; these being admitted and turned across the frame, the frames A and B will be firmly united. The cloth of the vapour-bath, in shape of a wagon-top, is firmly united to the margin of the frame B. Hoops of whalebone, D cane, or any other bending substance, are passed through loops E, by which means a complete cavity is presented for the effusion of vapour. The end F is drawn carefully around the neck of the patient G like a purse, the head is placed on the pillow H. A tea-kettle I, filled with boiling water,

placed on the fire, has a nozzle K an nexed to it, from which a leather tube L is sent off; this tube is inserted by a similar nozzle into the end of the bath M, which ought to enter at the top, that the vapour may not come too suddenly in contact with the body of the patient. A thermometer O may be inserted into an aperture, by which the temperature is determined.

The nozzle ought to be inserted into a tin plate cylinder, perforated, and traversing the bath in its longitudinal direction, to transmit the vapour-perhaps a tin plate six inches broad, continued along the course of the tube, would be serviceable, in preventing injury of the cloth, from the heated vapour in its first entry to the bath.

If it is required to render the frames more portable, they may be held together by iron in the manner of a parallel ruler, by which means, they fall together, or may be brought to right angles at pleasure.

New-York. Washington-Hall,
Sept. 27th, 1817.

nature as to cause convulsions in the smaller and more sensitive animals, such as birds, mice, &c. He mentioned several instances in which men had been powerfully affected by this effluvium. He had been informed by the late Col. Thomson, of Belle-ville, that whilst riding over his estate, he came suddenly upon a snake of enormous size, at which, the moment he could sufficiently collect himself, he fired. He killed the reptile, but was at the same instant assailed by an overpowering vapour, which so bewildered him that he could scarce

ly guide his horse home-that a deadly sickness at the stomach ensued, and a puking more violent than he had ever experienced from an emetic. He had been told by a lady that the overseer of one of her plantations being missed was sought for by his family, and found in a state of utter insensibility. On recovering, he stated that he was watching for a deer, when he heard the rattle of a snake, and that before he could remove from the threatened danger, he perceived a sickening efluvium, which deprived him instantly of sense. From John Lloyd, Esq. he had learned another case. A negro, working in his field, was seen suddenly to fall, uttering a shriek: on approaching him it was found that he had struck off the head of a very large Rattlesnake, the body of which was still writhing. On recovering, he said that he had shrieked with horror on discovering the snake, and at the same instant had been overpowered by a smell that took away all his senses. Mr. Nathaniel Barnwell, of Beaufort, had a negro who could, from the acuteness of his smell, at all times, discover the rattlesnake, within a distance of 200 feet, when in the exercise of his fascinating power, and when traced by this sense, some object of prey was always found suffering from this influence. To these facts Major Garden added some anecdotes, collected from Valliant's travels and other sources, corroborating his theory. When gorged with food the serpent is supine. It is only when under the stimulous of hunger that he exerts this facinating faculty. The cases mentioned by Mr. Pintard, at the last meeting of the society, are among the many evidences of the existence of the power in the serpent to influence birds to approach it; maugre their dread, and the circumstances related by him do not militate with the hypothesis of Major Garden.

A portrait of the Honourable Robert Morris, Financier of the United States, during the Revolutionary War, copied by J. W. Jarvis, from the original by Stewart, was presented by his son Thomas Morris, Esq. Marshall of the U. S. for the District of New-York.

Sitting of Oct. 7th, 1817.

Samuel L. Mitchill, M. D. laid on the table several teeth of the Mammoth, lately discovered by Judge Haring, of Rockland County, in this State.

A letter was received from his Excellency De Witt Clinton, Chairman of the cominittee for the collection of Manu

scripts, stating that he had been acquainted with an intelligent and well educated young Indian, who has studied the antiquities of his own country, and is preparing a collection of Indian Speeches for the press. The young man asserts that he has in his possession the Manuscript Journal of a French Officer who was with the party that destroyed Schenectady. Gov. Clinton de scribes him as 'a Catechist, Schoolmas ter, and lay-preacher among the Oneidas.'

A letter was received from Mr. Hicks, inclosing some manuscripts, relating to early measures of the revolution in this country, left by his father, Whitehead Hicks, Esq. formerly Mayor of the City of New-York.

A letter was received from Gen. Ebenezer Stevens, accompanying an original portrait of the Marquis de la Fayette, a Major General in the revolutionary armies of the U. S. which he offered to the acceptance of the Society.

The Recording Secretary, J. Pintard, Esq. read a paper, refuting a charge which appears in Chalmer's new 'General Biographical Dictionary,' article Washington, Vol. 31. p. 204. Where it is asserted that Genl. Washington insultingly erected in the view of the unfortunate Major Andre, several days before his execution, the gallows on which he was to be hung, also an allegation that he claimed from Lord Cornwallis his sword at the surrender of YorkTown, contrary to the usages of war. 198

LYCEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY.

Sitting of Sept. 15.

Dr. Mitchill, President of the Society, presented a specimen of a species of Sea Serpent, or marine Snake, from Guadaloupe, also of a new and remarkable species of Crab from Long-Island; a new species of molluscous animal of the genus ascidia, caught in Spermaceti Cove, near Sandy Hook, and a perfect specimen of the Cistus Caradensis, or frost weed, from Queen's County, Long-Island. These specimens were accompanied by a memorandum containing the Presi

dents remarks on them.

In behalf of Dr. Wharry, the Presi dent presented specimens of encrinites and other fossils, from Shawagunk, Ulster County.

The President also read a letter from E. Suffern, Esq. of Rockland, giving information of the discovery of certain teeth of great size, apparently the grind

Mr. Rafinesque made a report on three of the animals referred to him, on the sitting of the 8th of September, which he pronounced to be new species. Mr. Torrey reported in regard to several aquatic insects presented by Mr. Clements at the last meeting, most of which being new species, he described at length.

Dr. Akerly presented specimens of two Corallines of our waters.

Mr. Maxwell presented an animal of the Lizard family from Rockland County.

Mr. Clements presented an aquatic insect, and a specimen of the crustaceous animal called fish louse. Mr. C. also presented a needle found in the gizzard of a fowl, where it had remained surrounded by a Cyst, without causing any apparent injury or inconvenience to the animal. Dr. Akerly observed that Dr. King, present at the meeting, had extracted from the thigh of a lady, a pin which she had swallowed a considerable time before.

Mr. Rafinesque read an interesting paper on the Osage Apple, mentioned by Pursh in his preface, but not described. Mr. R. gave it the name of oxyton pomiferum.

Sitting of Sept. 29. Mr. Rafinesque made a report, in which he described a new species of titurus, or newt presented by Mr. Maxwell, and a new species of Cymothoa, or fish louse, presented by Mr. Clements.

Mr. Baudoine presented several specimens of Sponges and Zoophytes.

Dr. Townsend presented various specimens of minerals from Patterson, and Morris County, New-Jersey.

Dr. Akerly presented specimens of columnar basalt from the Island of St. Thomas, and specimens of load-stone from Patterson, New-Jersey.

Sitting of Oct. 6. The president, in behalf of Mr. L. F. Swift, presented the lapheus gibbus, a fish from Nantucket.

Mr. F. D. Porter presented specimens of petrefaction from Greene County, New-York.

Mr. Paulding presented a specimen of VoL --No. 1.

geode, from Mr. John Van Nostrand of Long-Island.

Dr. Stevenson, from the committee to whom was referred several species of animals from Demarara, made a report describing and classing them.

Mr. Rafinesque presented a new species of grapsus, the grapsus limonus. Mr. Clements read a very important paper on the disease of neat cattle, with the modes of cure.

Sitting of Oct. 13. Dr. Kissam reported that the bird presented at the last meeting by Mr. Cumberland, is the oriolus icterus.

The following specimens were presented. By Dr. Kissam, six species of shells, and a species of tortoise from South America. By Dr. Mitchill, in behalf of Mr. Robinson, the jaws of the delphinus phocana or porpoise, a species of tetradon taken from the belly of a shark, &c. By Mr. Cuming, five species of snakes, a species of lizard, and the larva of the insect which destroys bees, all from Chatham, N. Y. By Dr. B. Akerly, limestone from the Island of St. Thomas, perforated by shells of the genus pholas, illustrating the nature and habits of these animals; also large specimens of the torpedo navalis, and in behalf of Dr. B. A. Akerly, petrified madrepores, and a large petrified oyster from Ontario County. By Mr. Knevels, specimens of three rare aquatic plants from Fishkill, N. Y.; one of them an undetermined species of vallisnania.

The society adopted resolutions, expressing their regret for the loss of their late respected associate Dr. James Mc Bride of Charleston, S. C.

LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SO

CIETY OF NEW-YORK.

Sitting of Oct. 9, 1817. A communication entitled a Third Supplement to the Memoirs of C. S. Rafinesque on the Sturgeons of North America, was read by the author. In this paper, Mr. R. adds to the facts and opinions contained in his former essays, laid before the society, concerning the Sturgeons of the American waters.

Mr. Rafinesque also communicated to the society, an elaborate paper, entitled a Dissertation on the cubic size of organized beings, or animals and plants. Whereupon on motion, the papers of Mr. R. were referred to the counsellors.

The recording secretary communicated to the Society a letter addressed to Dr. Francis, from Olinthus Gregory, L. L. D. of the Royal Military Academy of Woolwich, near London, acknowledging

his deep sense of the honour the society had conferred on him, in electing him an honourary member.

A letter of a similar nature was present ed by Dr. Hosack, from Ashbell Green, D. D. President of Nassau Hall.

Several valuable donations for the library were received by the society from Dr. Albers, of Bremen, through the hand of Vice-President Mitchill.

Dr. Hosack presented to the society, as a donation from Sir James Edward Smith, the distinguished President of the Linnean Society of London, Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis, or an account of the results of experiments on the produce and nutritive qualities of different grasses and

other plants, used as the food of the more valuable domestic animals; this work is in one volume, large folio, and illustrated with dried specimens of the plants, upon which these experiments instituted by the Duke of Bedford were made. Whereupon, on motion of Dr. Francis, it was resolved, that the thanks of this society, be voted to Dr. Smith, for his very valuable and acceptable donation.

At this meeting, C. A. Busby, Esq. architect, and Wm. Marret, mathemati cian, were elected resident members; and, as honourary members, Robert Brown, F. R. S. F. L. S. F. A. S. London, and George Currir, of the Roy al Institute of France, F. R. S. &c. &c.

GREAT BRITAIN.

In the London Gazette some extracts have been published of the journal of Lieut. Kotzebue, dated at Talcaguma on the coast of Chili, the 3d of March, and at Kamschatka the 10th of July, 1816. Lieut. K. is the navigator despatched by Count Romanzoff, to penetrate through Beahring's Straight into Baffins Bay.

Mr. Ogilvie is delivering his orations in London. He is spoken of in terms of commendation.

The late Richard Lovell Edgeworth has left memoirs of his life which will be given to the public,

Professor Jameson of Edinburgh is preparing for publication, in two vols. octavo, a treatise on Geognosy and Mineral Geography.

Miss A. M. Porter, author of the Recluse of Norway, &c. &c. is preparing for publication the Knight of St. John, a Romance.

FRANCE.

The French government is proceeding. in a spirited manner with the Grand Description of Egypt, begun by order of Bonaparte. It is an immensely expensive work.

M. DE LALANDE, one of the directors of the Museum of Natural History, is preparing for a new voyage for the promotion of that science. During a short excursion to Brazil he collected more than 10,000 zoological subjects.

GERMANY.

The Emperor of Austria has availed himself of the occasion of the marriage of his daughter, the Arch-duchess Leopoldine, with the Prince Royal, of Brazil, to despatch a number of scientific persons

and artists, in her suite to that country. Among these gentlemen are DR. MIRON, M. GATTERER, M. ENDUS, M. SCHETT, Professor POHL, &c. M. SCHREIBER director of the Imperial Cabinet of Natural History is appointed to write the history of the voyage. Mess. SPIX and MARTINS, members of the Academy of Sciences at Munich, have joined the expedition.

The Dukes of Saxe-Weimar and SaxeGotha have considerably augmented the revenues of the university of Jena.

FREDERICK BUCHнOLTN edits a monthly publication in Berlin, entitled "Journal for Germany. The contents are historical and political. Its circulation is extensive.

RUSSIA.

The university of Dorpat, in Livonia, contains at this time 300 students. The library of this institution contains 30,000 volumes.

LTALY.

M. MICHELE LEONI has lately translated Goldsmith's Traveller into Italian

verse. Mawe's Travels in Brazil have also lately been translated into Italian.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

C. Wiley and Co. of New-York, have in press, Florula Ludoviciana, or a Flora of the State of Louisiana, translated, revised and improved from the French of C. C. ROBIN, by C. S. RAFINESQUE, member of the Royal Institute of Naples, of the Literary and Philosophical Society of NewYork, &c. &c.

C. Wiley and Co. will soon publish the 'Balance of Comfort,' a novel by the author of 'Paired, not Matched.'

Kirk and Mercuin, of New-York, have