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As Botany is an essential branch of Physic, the study of it is as indispensably necessary, as of Anatomy and Chemistry, to men who are to move in the important sphere of medical practice; and to other persons it will afford not only amusement, but information, worthy a rational being. In 1730, the study of it appears to have been much neglected for want of encouragement in England, which circumstance induced numbers to cultivate the study of it in foreign cli

mates.

In that century, we cannot but regret to find that the Physic garden at Oxford, notwithstanding it was ably and judiciously planned, remained, for many years, unproductive of the benefits expected from it, and wholly on account of the want of adequate support; but, with much pleasure, we have to observe, that afterwards it presented the most successful prospects, which hope had only brightened: and, for this agreeable circumstance, the lovers of this science must be indebted to the extraordinary benefaction of Dr. William Sherrard. We have, likewise, in the same century, to be grateful to Dr. Bradley, for his indefatigable exertions in the furtherance of the knowledge of the science; and we cannot withhold the highest encomiums from persons of the first rank, who shewed their friendship to Dr. Bradley, and directed him to select a suitable piece of ground at Cambridge for a Physic garden. Such a plan could not fail in affording facilities to the study of Botany, and the examination of each respective plant, and observation of all its changes, from its first appearance to the maturation of its seed; by this mode the most complete knowledge will be gained. The knowledge of Botany, in fact, cannot be readily dispensed with, as the mineral, vegetable, and animal kingdoms are relevant to one another, from the harmony existing in all; minerals being auxiliaries to vegetables, and vice versa; and vegetables also being auxiliaries to animals, and vice versa.

Dr. Bradley says, that the same vegetable will prosper

or decline, as the soil happens to be more or less favourable; and it is just so between vegetables and animals; for an animal, as it finds vegetables proper for its nourishment more or less, will be, more or less, improved; and, he observes, experience teaches us, that the juices of animals are always Kelpful to vegetables: for, if we lay the the flesh of an ǎnimal, or the soil derived from it, to the root of a sickly plant, it will certainly promote its growth. He further states, that earths are not always immediately affording proper nourishment to vegetables, instancing the missleto, the mosses, dodder, &c. &c. which will grow only upon the plants themselves, and never in the pure earth, because they are nourished by the excrementitious juices of the plants, upon which they grow; and he also says, that they do in some degree partake of the virtues of the respective plants, where we find them.

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To the Editor.

SIR,

AGREEABLY to the Prospectus of a periodical work, to be published on the 1st of January, entitled "The Monthly Correspondent, &c. &c." I beg to become a Medical Correspondent, for two reasons,-1st, because I consider it right to encourage every laudable undertaking; and, 2dly, it is the duty of every one to be communicative and aiding the cause of knowledge and humanity. I am, &c.

LONDON,

Dec. 27th, 1813.

MEDICUS.

P.S. Should I be thought worthy of any answer, I can receive the favour through the medium of your Magazine, either encouraging a continuance of my correspondence, or requesting a personal communication, either of which will be at all times, with much pleasure, at your service.

OBSERVATIONS ON HEALTH.

Orandum ut mens sana in corpore sano.

JUVENAL.

An healthy Body, and an healthy Mind,

Should be the constant Study of mankind.

THOUGH Health is the unquestionable desideratum of all, yet a variety of circumstances operate in its derangement and irretrievable loss; or the diffusion of its blessings through the system; and this view of the subject presents abundant objects for pity, as well as censure, since it is either made the sacrifice of immoderate indulgence or extreme negligence; or, the possibility of enjoying it is prevented by physical causes. Now it is not an easy task to hold out such rules as are applicable to all cases; the mental and constitutional variety is sufficient to justify me in adopting a way of serving mankind more practicable and effectual; but this piece of service cannot be performed in any other manner than by a periodical continuation of the subject, the limits prescribed to correspondence, and the manifold nature of the design, precluding me from executing it. In our expectations of the enjoyment of health, we are to be guided by reason, as well as in our expectations of riches and preferment. Where the mental and constitutional frame shew an incapacity, from physical causes, to promise health; a sanguine hope of enjoying it is too often the source of evils, surpassing what nature has formed: and attempts made, with the view of producing the sunshine of sanity in certain minds, or establishing vigour in peculiar constitutions, not only betray a waste of time and money, but really are productive of infinite injury.-I, however, beg to be understood clearly; I do not mean to insinuate, that here, nothing is to be done, far from it; a reasonable indulgence in hope, and lenient remedies certainly is laudable, and so far useful, because it is consola

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tory. It therefore becomes highly requisite to ascertain the physical capacity, and physical incapacity, to enjoy Health; the attainment of this knowledge will be the best guide; and should it not hold out the agreeable, it prevents the fallacious, prospect of unattainable blessings.

For Man, perhaps, the moment of his breath,
Receives the lurking principle of Death;

The young disease, which must subdue at length,

Grows with his growth, and strengthens with his strength.

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POPE.

PHILOSOPHICAL DISCOVERY.

[Communicated to the Editor by P.P.P.]

A NEW GAS.

SIR HUMPHRY DAVY has communicated an interesting account to the Royal Society, which was read on Thursday the 20th Jan. of a new Gas, discovered in Paris, by a manufacturer of saltpetre in that capital. It appears, that the discovery was made two years ago; but such is the oppressed state of science in Paris, that it has remained unnoticed till the arrival of the illustrious English philosopher, who has analyzed it with his usual ability, and described the various new and important phenomena which it exhibits. It is prepared from all kinds of sea-weed, after the carbonat of soda has been extracted from it, by simply pouring sulphuric acid on the residuum; and when raised to the temperature of 158° a beautiful violet-coloured gas is disengaged. This gas the French chemists would call Ion gas, from ov, violet; but which Sir Humphry has denominated Violaceous gas: It is the heaviest known aerial fluid, 100 cubic inches, weighing 95.5 grains; it is not inflammable-is not a supporter of combustion is a non-conductor of electricity-is soluble in ether, spirits of wine, and water-has great affinity for muri

atic and hydrogen gases, with the latter it readily combines, and forms Hydroionic gas. It has many properties in common with oxygen and chlorine or oxy-muriatic gas, and also the alkalies; but its chief and most important character is rapidly uniting at a moderate temperature with iron, zinc, tin, lead, and mercury, and converting these metals into salts, which may be called violats, of beautiful yellow, orange, and brown tints, very proper for fine pigments: perhaps they may also be useful in the dye-house. It unites with oxygen, like the alkalies, from which it is easily expelled by heat; at a high temperature the violaceous gas is dissipated; in a moderately low one, it condenses and forms fine violet-coloured crystals. It is a simple or undecomposed gas, which with hydrogen and phosphorus forms muriatic acid; with ammonia it produces a detonating compound. The discovery of these substances confirms the opinion of Sir Humphry, that acids (which are so denominated from the sensation which they excite) and alkalies, do not depend on any acidifying principle, but merely on certain modifications of matter,

THE SCIENTIFIC QUERIST.

To the Editor of the Monthly Correspondent.

SIR,

Dec. 23rd, 1813.

INVITED by the liberal manner in which the Monthly Correspondent is announced to the public, I feel particular pleasure in offering my mite; and, should it be worthy of acceptance, it will give me great pleasure to continue my communications, under the impression that my offering, though trivial, may nevertheless tend to promote the laudable design with which your work is published. Yours,'

PHILALETHES,

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