Several of the diseases now enumerated have been influenced, if not altogether occasioned, by the state of the weather, which has not only been particularly severe, but accompanied by phenomena inimical to health. The frost has continued, with very short intervals of remission, from December to the present time. Fogs of unusual density and long duration have prevailed. Easterly winds have annoyed the healthy, and much affected the sick; in short, a more distressing season has rarely occurred.

Catarrhal and bronchial complaints were observed to be more than usually prevalent the latter end of November; they somewhat declined the beginning, but augmented towards the end, of December, and endured with unabated severity through January; at present they have somewhat subsided. Asthma has proved very violent in some individuals, whilst others, who in general suffer much when the atmosphere is humid, have escaped. Hemiplegia has affected some persons in whom, from their youth and temperate habits, it would not have been expected.

In a case of bilious disease the patient was obliged to take calomel and active purgatives almost daily for a fortnight, before the excretions began to assume a nataral condition. The subject of the complaint was a merchant in extensive business, and of course extremely anxious to recover speedily. This anxiety, so common and natural, is highly prejudicial, and tends to retard recovery. In the case in question the pulse was generally from 100 to 112, though no other indication of febrile diathesis was present. I have seen such cases treated as fevers. The patient was naturally irritable, and tormented himself with suspecting he suffered complaints that did not even threaten him. The only danger was that these feelings should increase so as to become a primary consideration. The state of the liver and intestines, however, improving, every unpleasant symptom disappeared. I have observed similar circumstances on several occasions, and have no doubt that mental derange ment, when the tendency to it begins to be obvious, may sometimes be prevented by attending to the condition of the alvine excretions. SAMUEL FOTHERGILL.

Craven-street, Feb. 25, 1814.

E

CHEMICAL REPORT.

We have seen it stated in a French newspaper, and we believe the statement to have

been confirmed by a letter from Sir Humphry Davy, now in Paris, to Sir Joseph Banks, that the discovery of an important new body has been announced to the French National Institute, by M. Courtois. This substance is obtained from kelp, and at the

temperature

1

1814.]

Monthly Chemical Report.

199

Ox

temperature of 1589 it assumes the state of a gas which is of a deep violet colour. ygen and carbon exert no action on it; but, when combined with hydrogen, it produces muriatic acid; and, it is said, that the same product is also formed by the agency of phosphorus upon it. Its combinations with the metals take place without the evolution of any gas; with the metallic oxides its compounds are soluble in water, and with ammonia a new detonating substance is formed. But to what particular class of bodies this very extraordinary one should be referred, we are at present quite unable to point out, and must wait for the next arrival of the French Philosophical Journals, for more accurate intelligence upon the subject.

A new vegetable principle has been detected in the Cocculus Indicus, or Indian Berry, a substance sufficiently well-known to fishermen, who often use it in their ground bait for the purpose of intoxicating, or otherwise disabling their prey, and thus by causing them to ascend to the surface of the water, rendering their capture more easy. This principle has been denominated Pierotoxine, and is that on which depend the peculiar deleterious properties of the Cocculus Indicus. It is of a white colour when pare, and is crystallizable. It is easily soluble in alcohol, but very sparingly so in water. Strong sulphuric acid, vinegar, and the alkalies, also dissolve it, as does nitric acid, by which, with the agency of heat, it is converted into oxalic acid.

The matter to which saffron owes its beautiful colour, is likewise said by Bouillon, Lagrange, and Vogel, to be a distinct vegetable principle. It is obtained by digesting an aqueous extract of saffron in alcohol, which, upon being evaporated, leaves behind this matter in a state of purity. It is of course easily soluble, both in alcohol and water; and its solution, when exposed to light, or the action of oxymuriatic acid, becomes colourless. But its most distinguishing property, and from which its name Polychroite has originated, is that of being changed, from its deep yellow colour, to an interise blue, by the addition of sulphuric acid, and to a green by nitric acid.

An ingenious bleacher on the continent has lately been enabled to turn out thread of an exquisite degree of whiteness, by simply boiling it with well-burnt charcoal, in the proportion of 1,400 ells of the former, and 3 ounces of the latter: and we are a little sur prized that the many very useful properties possessed by charcoal, as an agent upon dead animal and vegetable matter, are not more extensively made use of in our numerous manufactories at home.

A new vegetable acid has been procured from the boletus pseudo-igniarius, by Braconnot, which he has accordingly called boletic acid, and which in many respects resembles the other vegetable acids, except in being volatile when heated like benzoic acid. Our knowledge of the composition of the various animal fluids, has been much increased by the labours of Professor Berzelius. This accurate and indefatigable chemist has proved, that blood does really contain a notable proportion of iron, but that it is in no degree the cause of its red colour, as has been supposed by Fourcroy and others. He has clearly shown, that the animal fluids owe their distinctive character to substances which are peculiar to them alone. Thus bile contains a principle perfectly different from every thing else which has accordingly been designated by the name of biliary matter; and, in like manner, saliva possesses its peculiar salivary matter. In other respects, most of these fluids are composed of the same ingredients, combined together in different proportions.

A foundation for a most important revolution in the hitherto received doctrines of heat, proposed by Black, Lavoisier, and Irvine, has been afforded by the ingenious and elaborate experiments which were instituted to determine the specific heat of the dif ferent gases, by M. M. Delaroche and Berard. But the apparatus which these gentle men employed, was necessarily so very complicated, and the experiments themselves so very nice and intricate, that we must here be content merely to say, that they completely enabled their ingenious authors to attain the object for which they were undertaken; for, were we to attempt an outline of them, we should unavoidably prove nnintelligible.

To such a prodigious extent has the power of producing artificial cold been lately increased, that we have now the means of freezing even alcohol itself. This, it is said, may be effected by condensing to a great degree the air in the vessel which contains the alcohol to be frozen, and then, having previously exposed it to a strong frigorific mixture, permitting the air to escape from it as suddenly as possible. It has long been known that, during the condensation of air, a considerable quantity of sensible heat is constantly evolved, and it is surprising, that the very simple process, just described, which is naturally suggested by this fact, has never been before employed.

Mr. BRANDE has lately shewn, by experiments before the Royal Society, that the phenomenon of more heat being communicated to the negative ball of two electrified balls, between which a lighted candle is placed, arises from the same cause that the negative end of the voltaic battery attracts combustibles; and that the carbonaceous matter of the flame conveys the heat to the negative ball. It appeared, however, that flames produced by other substances heated the positive all in a higher degree.

A lectureship in mineralogy has been endowed by the Crown, at Oxford, and Mr. BUCKLAND, of Corpus, has been appointed the first lecturer.

MONTHLY

C

MONTHLY COMMERCIAL REPORT.

OTTON.-There continues to be much interest excited as to the prices of Cotton;

in the beginning of last week little business was effected. About Wednesday some forced sales were said to be made, 400 bags; Pernams at 3s., Maranhams and Bahias at 2s. 9d., Surats at 21d. and 22d., and 200 Pernams sold at 3s.; 150 Bengals 18d., several parcels of the latter offering at the same price the following day, and about 1100 bales were purchased; some very ordinary at 162d. and 17d.; there was a renewed demand immediately in the market, and 500 bags were sold at 184d. and 182d.; 400 Pernams 3s., and 300 Bahias 2s. 10d.

Liverpool. During the greater part of the last week there was very little doing in cottons; the market extremely heavy, and some few sales were making privately at low prices; but within the last day or two many of the Manchester dealers have been here, and prices have advanced, particularly Brazils, about itd. per Ib. Nothing is dog, however, on speculation.

Spices. There continues to be considerable interest excited as to the prices likely to be maintained, and some fluctuation continues in the market. Pepper can be stated at little variation. 170 bags Pimento in the sale of last week, the rates realized for the best quality in the sale 164d. and 163d. Mace and Nutmegs lower. Cinnamon in request at our quotations.

Silk.-Bengals may be stated at a premium from 81. to 1 01. on the last sale; the inferior qualities of the thrown more advanced than the better descriptions.

Hemp, Flax, and Tallow. The prices of Hemp and Flax can only be nominally given; the partial sales that are effected are on so very limited a scale that it cannot be mentioned as a market price. Tallow maintains the late rates, and some of the holders demanding so high as 110s. for yellow candle tallow; but the sales have of late been very limited.

Coals. Newcastle-Bishop Main; Hebburn Main 65s. 9d.; Heaton 65s. 6d.; Walls End Bewicke 65s. 6d. to 65s. 9d.; Walls End Manor 63s.; Walls End Temple 65s. 6d.; Willington 65s. to 65s. 3d.; Welsh 70s.

Provisions.-There is much fluctuation in the prices of Provisions. The sales of Beef have been rather considerable at our lowest quotations, yet some of the holders continue very sanguine, and expect an advance on the highest rate.-Pork may be mentioned nearly under the same circumstances.-The Butter market has continued extremely brisk, and the prices advancing.

Sugars. The request for British Plantation Muscovades continued very languid during the last week; the prices could be stated at little variation. The general languor of the London markets may be attributed to several causes, to the high prices preventing the usual consumption and export.

Coffee. There continues to be great fluctuation in the prices of Coffee; the languid demand, and the very considerable depression, occasioned the withdrawing of two very extensive sales which had been previously advertised.

Rum. The demand for Rum has been very steady, though not on an extensive scale; the prices are little varied.

Dye-woods.-The demand for Dye-woods continues.

Tobacco. The exportation of Tobacco continues to be very considerable; the demand is not extensive, the prices unvaried.

A letter from New York to a gentleman at Bristol, dated Nov. 16, 1813, states that "the cotton factories are increasing very much in this country. A manufactory which works by steam twenty thousand spindles, for spinning fine twist up to No. 100, is just opened here, and several more for spinning fine twist are about to be established. It is lighted by the Winsor gas. The woollen factories are also increasing very fast, and the quantity of Merino wool raised in this country is beyond conception. The wool is found not to degenerate, but on the contrary to improve. The attention of the farmers is now so devoted to the raising of Merino wool, that the markets suffer from the want of butter and cheese."

Iron, British, Bars

0

14 0 0

0 2. 10

0 0 per ton.

12 0

0 per cwt.

10 0 0

14 10 0 per ton.

Port, old

£. s. d.

£. s. d.

8 0 0 to 9 0 0

195

per ton.
per half chest.

per ton.

28 0 0

30 0 0

105 O 0

0 0

2 13

2 16

3 12

0

0

9

1 5

0 15 0
6 0

6 3

ditto.

O per lb.

ditto.

O per cwt.

6 16 0

40002011000000000

6 11 0

ditto.

6 2 0

6 16 0

ditto.

8 6 0
0 13

8 18

6

0 12

0 15 0

0 17

.0 1 9

0 3 10

per cwt.
ditto.

Prices of Bullion, per oz.- -Portugal Gold, in coin, 51. 10s.; in bars, 51. 8s.-Silver, in bars, standard, 6s. 11 d.

At Messrs. Wolfe and Co.'s Canal Office, No. 9, Change Alley, Cornhill; Commercial Dock shares fetch 1401. per share.-West India ditto, 1601.-The Grand Junction CANAL shares fetch 2331. per share. The Grand Surry, 801.-And the Lei cester Union, 1101.-The East London WATER-WORKS, 631.-The Grand Junction 501.-And the West Middlesex, 321.-The Albion INSURANCE OFFICE shares fetch 431.-The Globe 1121.-And the Imperial 451.

The 3 per cent. cons. on the 26th were 704; 5 per cent. 974; new omnium, 27.

MONTHLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT.

DURING the intervals of thaw tillage has proceeded upon the light lands; probably

half of it may be finished upon such in most parts of the south. Farmers are anxi ously waiting for the breaking up of the frost, when, with favourable weather, the lands may be expected to work in the most perfect state, and the seeding business to go on with rapidity. The threshing machine has, during a long time, been frequently recurred to, chiefly with the view of employing the labourers. Forward pease look well, and in general all the crops upon the ground. The wheats are a full plant, and although they appear sickly in colour, from the effects of the cold upon undrained and chilled soils, and in greatly exposed situations, there is little doubt of their perfect recovery, in a genial spring, which may be reasonably expected to succeed the present severe season, and, with the blessing of a good blooming time, another large wheat crop may be looked for.

The straw yard in a good state, and the cattle healthy; but turnips short and mostly decayed, from the severity of the weather, even in many instances where the roots were drawn and stored, but with insufficient care. Swedish turnips have generally resisted the frost, with some exceptions. The sheep have lambed very successfully, excepting where exposure to the severity of the frost has destroyed the lambs, and this misfortune has taken place to some extent, though by no means to that of former days. The incessant importunity of writers on husbandry, through so many years, has at length prevailed on a number of the farmers, of all the well-managed districts, both of North and South Britain, to protect their sheep from the rigours of winter; and their example, it is hoped, will become general, with respect to other animals as well as sheep.. Cattle markets, exorbitantly high. Store pigs, said never to have been so scarce and dear, reported to be worth 16s. per stone, of 8lb.; wools, still rising.

Smithfield: Beef 6s. 4d. to 7s. 8d.-Mutton 8s. to 8s. 6d.-Veal 79. to 9s.-Lamb 20s. to 25s. per quarter.-Pork 7s. to 9s. 6d.-Bacon 8s. 8d.-Irish ditto 7s. 4d. to 7s. 3d.-Fat 6s. 8d.-Skins 30s. to 70s.-Oil cake 161. 16s.-Potatoes 41. to 51.-Chat ditto 21. to 21. 10s.

Corn Exchange: Wheat 46s. to 78s.-Barley 30s. to 42s-Oats 14s. to 34s.The quartern loaf 124d.-Hay 41. to 51. 5s.-Clover ditto 51. to 71. 7s.-Straw 11. 12s. to 21. 5s.

METEOROLOGICAL

We have no occasion again to notice the small quantity of rain that is fallen; and though the snow still lies on many parts of the country where it was drifted, or where it was thrown up in ridges to obtain passages for carriages, yet there has been very little fallen during the last month. The weather has not only been dry, but the atmosphere has been very clear; of the thirty-one days, nineteen have been set down as brilliant. On two or three, has been a little rain, and one only is marked as foggy.

The average height of the barometer is 29.6, nearly: that of the thermometer, 33.16, which is exceedingly low. Once, as is noted above the mercury, in the barometer, was under 28o, which is something lower than we ever witnessed it: the fall was rapid, and, as is almost uniformly the case, the rise was equally rapid. At its very low state, it is never long stationary, scarcely, we suspect, an hour; whereas, when it rises gradually to its greatest heights, it will be stationary, or nearly so, for days together.

We have heard the accuracy of the last Report called in question, respecting the lowest degree of cold experienced in this place: we have seen accounts in the Liverpool Mercury, and in other provincial papers, which have stated the thermometer to have been as low as 30, or 33, or 4 degrees below the freezing point, which seems to justify the accounts of those who, in the neighbourhood of the metropolis, have given the lowest points at 5°, 7°, 9, &c. What has happened in the north of England we know not, but in and near London, we still believe it never was so low as what has been stated, unless the instrument were subject to a peculiar degree of moisture and evaporation, by an eddy of winds. Cold winds, in general, without evaporation, produce very little effect on the thermometer. We have enquired at the Royal Society, and find that the lowest degree of cold registered at that place, during the winter, has been 15°, which corresponds with the observations on the south side of Highgate Hill; and we understand, upon good authority, that the thermometer kept at Sir Joseph Banks's house, has been at no time much lower than this.

TO CORRESPONDENTS, &c.

As it may be presumed that the plan of COMMON SENSE, at page 133, &c. will be acted upon more or less, we have printed an extra Number of this Magazine, to meet the desire that is likely to arise for the general perusal and preservation of that Paper. We shall be glad to receive from some of our Mathematical Correspondents, a detailed set of Tables adapted to the use of the Societies therein proposed.

Several enquirers are informed, that we are anxious to receive Drawings of all new Buildings, with appropriate descriptions. We are pleased to find that this new feature of our work has excited so universal an interest.

Our old Friends and Correspondents will be gratified to learn, that the commencement of a New Year has been distinguished by the same augmentation of our sale that we have usually experienced for seventeen years past. This single fact speaks volumes in reply to venal and bigotted calumniators, and is conclusive in regard to the genuine opinions of the intelligent puri of the public.

Mr. PILGRIM's and Mr. LoFFT's papers came to hand too late in this short month.

EVRATA.In the first paragraph of the paper of CoмMMON SENSE, at p. 133, dele the first therefore and in the note, p. 137, dele the words, on any scale,

Mr. Hook desires us to say, that for the chance of drawing 10 black balls, it is neces sary to make 38 or 9 trials, instead of 24.

In Mr. Dick's paper, at page 19, col. 1, for National Institution, read Rational Institution.