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incredible difficulties aud dangers: voluntary exiles from all civilized fociety, they for fake relations and, friends, parents, brethren, and the companions of their early life, to propagate the Gofpel among favages, to extirpate idolatry and inculcate among the Heathens the morality of Chrift, his precepts, and his doctrines. Thele volumes, confidered as mere books of travels, will be confulted as imparting more information concerning the manners, character, and religion of the favages, with whom the Miffi naries refided, than perhaps any other works in the language. As throwing light on the nature of the human mind, they are of great value.

An interefting "Narrative" has juft been published of events that have lately taken place in Ireland among the fociety called Quakers. The harmony of that fociety, which denominates itself the Society of Friends, has recently been disturbed by certain differences in opinion on points both of fpeculation and practice among members of the fociety who live in Ireland. The object of the prefent publica tion is to counteract erroneous reports which have been circulated on the fubject of thefe differences and the confequent proceedings of the fociety, and to gratify the wishes of thofe who are defirous of a correct statement of facts. For that fatement, as it would occupy too much room here, we must refer to the volume itself.

We are indebted to Mr. MYLES for a "Chronological History of the People called Methodists, of the Connection of the late Rev. John Wesley, from their Rife in the Year 1729, to their laft Conference in 1802."

If the Society of Friends is declining in numbers, that of Methodists is very a pidly increasing ; a fociety, whofe religious tenets are of the molt gloomy, dan gerous, and debafing kind. Many individuals of them have already entered the church, and are forming within,its bofom a loud and powerful faction. NATURAL HISTORY, NATURAL PHILOSOPHY, AND PHYSICS.

Under this head we have to notice a very unufual number of valuable works. "Elements of Galvanifm, in Theory and Practice; with a comprehenfive View of its Hifery, from the firft Experiments of Galvani is the prefent Time: containing aljo practical Directions for conftru&ting the Galvanic Apparatus, and plain Syftematic Inftructions for performing all the various Experiments, illuftrated with a great Number of Copper-plates. By C. H. WILKINSON."

Mr. Wilkinson is mafter of the subject

which he has undertaken to explain, and of which he has given a very interesting hiftory. It was in the year 1790, that M. Galvani, of Bologna, while making experiments with a common electrical machine, was infenfibly led to the inveftigation of this fcience: he published his difcovery in the following year, and from this period it has been very affiduously and fuccefsfully cultivated by the philofophers of Europe. The fcience is yet in its infancy, but there seems a strong probability that animal electricity, or Galvanism, as it is now called, may be rendered fubfervient to very important purposes, both in medicine and chemistry. Mr. Wilkinson has devoted a chapter to what he terms Medical Galvanism, as it has fallen under his own obfervation, with fuch directions, illuftrated by plates, as may be understood by others, who are difpofed to make fimilar attempts. In paralytic affections it has often proved of confidera ble advantage, in cafes of deafness alfo relief has been afforded by Galvanism; but Mr. Wilkinson has never fucceeded in being ferviceable in affections of the eye. "In involuntary actions of the mufcles, (ays Mr. Wilkinson,) I know of no remedy fo efficacious as Galvanifm. In a contracted ftate of the fingers of hands, however violently the latter may be clenched, on the application of this principle for the space of a few minutes, it rarely fails to induce a relaxation. In cafes of cramp, if of long continuance, and even of tetanus, or locked jaw, it has afforded relief in a fhort space of time. In contractions of the joints, and in all cafes of rigidity, it will be found a very advantageous ftimulus, which will greatly contribute to the restoration of motion." With regard to the influence of Galvanifin in cafes of mental derangement, Mr. Wilkinfon mentions its good effects in two inftances, by Aldini; he gives Mr. Hallam's theory on the subject, but does not appear to have had any experience himself. The author concludes with giving inftructions for the employment of Galvanisin in cases of suspended animation. Mr. Wilkinson's theory is, that its principles and thofe of electricity are identically the fame that the former is the evolution of electricity from conducting bodies, and difengaged by a chemical proceis; while the latter is the fame principle, rendered apparent to our fenfes by the temporary changes of non-conducting bodies to a conducting ftate.

:

"An Account of the late Improvement in Gaivanism; with a Series of curious and interijling Experiments, performed

before

before the Commiffioners of the French National Inftitute, and repeated lately in London. By JOHN ALDINI, Profelor of Experimental Philofophy in the University of Bologna, Member of the Medical and Galvanic Societies of Paris, &c.; to which is added an Appendix, containing the Author's Experiments on the Body of a Malefactor executed at Newgate, &c. &c. illuftrated with Engravings."

The author of this interefting work, who is a nephew of M. Galvani, came over to this country during the laft fhort interval of peace, and exhibited before feveral perfons of high rank, and of high celebrity for their philofophical acquirements, fome of the more remarkable experiments related in the prefent volume ; alfo before the profeffors and pupils at Guy's and St. Thomas's Hofpitals, by whom the author was prefented with a gold medal as a token of their respect. When Profeffor Aldini left this country, the MS. written in French, together with two Latin differtations, was put into the editor's hands, in order that they might be prepared for the prefs. A tranflation of thefe forms the principal part of the work; and an appendix has been added, containing the author's experiments of a similar kind on the bodies of three criminals, decapitated at Bologna; and an experiment lately made at Calais, which feems to fhew that Galvanifm is fufceptible of being conveyed to a very confiderable dif. tance through the water of the fea. The work is divided into three parts. In the firft, M. Aldini has exhibited the action of Galvanism independently of metals, and explained fome of its general properThe fecond contains experiments on the power of Galvanifm to excite the vital forces. In the third, he has propofed fome ufeful applications of it to medicine, and explained the principles on which the new medical adminiftration of Galvanism is founded. M. Aldini has adopted a mathematical form throughout his work he begins by a feries of general propofitions which he proves or illuftrates by a series of experiments, and from these he deduces corollaries. In all thefe experiments, the object is to produce, by various methods, mufcular motion in different parts of animals recently killed. Many curious facts are adduced to fhew the general relationship between Galvan ifm and Electricity; and as profeffor Volta announced to the public the action of the metallic pile, M. Aldini has exhibited according to the principles of Galvanism, the action of what he terms

ties.

6. It has been

the animal pile. The general corollaries from the experiments reported in the first part are, 1. That there is a real attraction between certain parts of animals; and this tends to confirm the idea of a fort of atmofphere peculiar to parts of animals, as has been fuggefted by Humboldt. 2. The action of Galvanifm on the aëriform fluids may ferve to explain its influence over the animal fluids, by the oxidation of the humours. 3. Fishes and feveral amphibious animals, which live under water, fometimes approach the furface, on certain changes in the atmosphere, which are communicated to the water. 4. Water faturated with falts, particularly muriate of foda, increases the effects of Galvanifm; fishes poffefs a high degree of vitality; hence the wisdom fhewn in abundantly faturating the fea with muriate of foda. 5. As Galvanifin poffeffes great activity in chemical decompofitions, it cannot remain in a state of inaction, but muft produce great changes in the animal fluids and functions, proved, that as there is a metallic arc and a metallic pile in the mineral kingdom, there is also an animal arc and an animal circle in the animal kingdom; which may one day throw a great light in the progrefs of medicine, and be productive of benefit to the human race. In the second part, Profeffor Aldini treats of the influence which Galvanisin has on the vital powers. In this leries of experiments are exhibited its aftonishing effects in producing actions in decapitated trunks, or in the heads of large an mals. On applying it to the head of an ox recently killed, the eyes were feen to open, the ears to fhake, the tongue to be agitated, and the noftrils to fwell in the fame manner as thofe of the living animals when irri. tated. On applying it to the head of a horse, a very fenfible gnashing of the teeth was produced, and all the mufcies performed, in a surprising manner, the same motion as is exerted during the time of maltication. The profeffor obtained permiffion from the government of Bologna to have the bodies of two brigands, who were beheaded in that city in 1802. On fub. jecting these heads to the action of the metallic arc, the fpectators were affrighted to fee the muscles of the face to excited as to produce the moit fhocking grimaces-the eye-balls moved, the teeth gnashed, and in every relped the effect was most horrible. When the extremities of thefe criminals were Galvanized, the hands became clenched, the arms were lifted up even when loaded with weights. 4 P 2

It

It is very remarkable, however, that Profeffor A dini could with the utmoftifficulty excite the heart by Galvanic inAuerce, that mafcle which, according to Haller, is the first to receive life, and the laft to lofe it.

Fron the experiments detailed in the fecond part the following inferences are d duced: 1. That the muscles are affect ed by the action of the pile more power fully when they are laid bare, and when the arc is made to penetrate to a confiderable depth in their fubftarce. a. These convulfons are increased in proportion to the number of the points of contact between the are and the mufcle. 3. In n any cafes, mufcular contra&ions are obtained by forming an arc from one muscle to another. 4. Mufcular contactions are almost always fpeedily obtained by the pile. 5. The heart can with difficulty be made to feel the influence of the Galvanic action, while the other mufcles always retain, a long time after death, that vital force which it has never been found poffible to excite but by the impulse of Galvanism. 6. Galvanifm excites contractions without the aid of other ftimulants, which alter the texture of the mufcular fibre, and destroy its continuity. 7. As the Galvanic apparatus may be applied to the nerves of the animal machine, it may afford to the anatomist an experimental myology, by means of which he can render fenfible to the eye the fixed and moveable points of the mufcles, and the real extent of their action. 8. In purfuing the experiments made on the bodies of perfons who die a natural death, we may hereafter become better acquainted with the character of the vital powers, and the difference of their duration, according to the diverfity of fex, age, temperament, and difeafe, and even according to the diverfity of the climate, and to the nature of the atmosphere. The third part, as we have already ftated, is confined to the medicinal efficacy of Galvanifm: it is fubdivided into five fe&tions; in the first of which are confidered the advantages which the medical administration of Galvanim has over common electricity; in fection 2, the application of Galvanifin to the organs of heating and feeing; in fection 3, its application in cales of afphyxia and drowning; in fection 4, its application to the cure of melancholy madels, where the author relates, that two patients in the lunatic hofpital at Bologna were completely cured by this new remedy. The fifth and last fection con

tains general reflections on the action and influence which Galvanifin, confidered in a medical point of view, exercises on the animal economy.

Thefe experiments and obfervations are followed by two differtations on animal electricity, tranflated from the Latin: they are partly hittorical and partly ex-perimental. Three appendixes follow: the first giving an account of the experi ments on a malefactor hanged at Newgate; the fecond containing a report of fimilar experiments made by Vaffali Eandi, Giulio, and Roffi, on three criminals decapitated at Turin. The last appendix relates an experiment on the tranfmiffion of Galvanim, through a confiderable extent of water in Calais harbour. work is illuftrated by a number of well engraven plates.

This

Mr. CARPUE has published a familiar Introduction to Electricity and Galvanifm, with Cafes fhewing their Effects in the Cure of Difeafes.”

Mr.JOHNSON'S "Hiflory of the Progress and prefent State of Animal Chemistry," will be found a very useful compilation to the young phyfiologift, who, in these volumes will fee collected together fron various fources, the most important facts, experiments, and obfervations, relative to the chemical proceffes which are perpetually going on within the human body.

A Syftem of Theoretical and Practical Chemistry, in two Volumes, with Plates. By FREDERICH ACCUM, Teacher of Practical Chemistry, Pharmacy and Mineralogy, and Chemical Operator in the Royal Inftitution of Great Britain. This will be found a very convenient manual, as well by the lecturer as the ftudent: the experiments are very numerous and well felected.

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British Mineralogy; or, coloured Figures to elucidate the Mineralogy of Great Britain. By JAMES SOWERBY, F. L. S.

In the prefent beautiful volume Mr. Sowerby has perhaps performed as much as it was in the power of any man: but it is impoffible for the most delicate pencil, although it may reprefent the cryftalline and other particular forms of minera.s, together with their colours, to delineate the infinite gradations of luf tre, the play of light, and the still more effential character of fracture."

"Remarks upon Chemical Nomenclature, according to the Principles of the French Neologifts. By RICHARD CHENEVIX. F. R. S. &c."

Mr. Chenevix is a faithful difciple of
Lavoifiers

Lavoisier, but is by no means infenfible to the errors of the Chemical Nomenclature, which was too haftily compiled by that philofopher and his affociates. To point out thofe errors and partly to remedy them, to defend the general principles upon which the whole fytem is founded, and to check the propofal of any other, by-endeavouring to establish the opinion that nothing fhort of abfolute perfection can authorize any confiderable change, are the objects of the prefent work, which difplays profound knowledge, and is executed with a great deal of accuracy and judgment.

Mr. Nicholfon has published in eleven octavo volumes his tranflation of Fourcroy's "General Syftem of Chemical Knowledge, with a Set (which may be had feparately) of twelve Synoptic Tables."

The prefent, though in itself an immenfe work, was, in its original defign, but the first part of one of much greater magnitude and labour. M. Fourcroy has long been collecting materials for a work, which he purpofed to divide into four grand divifions. The first, containing the theory of the fcience; the fecond its hiftory; the third, whatever related to the inftruments or ufual operations of the chemifts; and the fourth, the application, of the fcience to the phenomena of nature and the various procelles of the arts. Feeling, however, that this projected labour would fcarcely be completed within the ordinary limits of human life, and conceiving that the fubjects of each of thefe parts, though relating to one common fcience, might yet be feparately treated of, M. Fourcroy has made the deyelopement of the general theory of the fcience, the primary object of the prefent work; he has intermixed, however, with the expofition of the theory, a concife ketch of the history of the fcience; fuch ideas are alfo given of the manner of uling the inftruments, and of performing the operations of chemistry, as are fufficient to explain in a great degree the practical part; and, lastly, the most important applications of it are defcribed with accuracy. The application which relates to the philofophy of vegetables and animals, is more particularly infifted on, as being most intimately connected with the welfare of the human race.

The fecond part is published of the London Philofophical Tranfactions for 1803." Among other important papers it contains Mr. Chenevix's enquiries con

4

cerning the nature of a metallic substance lately fold in London as a new metal under the title of "Palladium." This ingenious mineralogift has not been able precifely to afcertain the nature of this fubftance by analysis; but as he has fucceeded by a fynthetic procels in forming a metallic body perfectly refembling it, he has fhewn that what was endeavoured to be impofed upon the public as a newlydifcovered fimple body, is in reality a compound.-Dr. Herichel, in a paper giving an account of the changes that have happened during the last twentyfive years in the relative fituation of double tars, has endeavoured to shew that the mott fimple and philofophical mode of explaining the phenomena of double stars is, to fuppofe that the two ftars compofing a double itar, defcribe ellipfes round their common center of gravity.—Major Mudge has a most valuable paper inferted in this part, giving an account of the measurement of an arc of the meridian, extending from Dunnose in the Isle of Wight, lat. 50°. 37'. 8". to Clifton in Yorkshire, lat. 53°. 27'. 31". in the course of the operations carried on for the trignometrical furvey of England, in the years 1800, 1801, 1802.

On a former occafion, we hinted that it was in contemplation to publish an abridg ment of the Philofophical Tranfactions of the Royal Society of London. Several attempts have been made at different times to comprefs the fubftance of this voluminous work; to retain the valuable and difcard the worthless ; but either from fome original error in the plan or fubfequent injudicioufnefs in the execu tion of it, thele abridgements have not anfwered the wishes or expectations of the public. An abridgment is now commenced, and the first volume of it already published under the united aufpices of Drs. Hutton, Shaw, and Pearfon. It differs from all others that have preceded it, in two very material circumstances. Firft, in regard to the explanatory comments, in which errors are corrected, and feveral deficiencies are fupplied, which occur in the early papers of the Tranfactions; and, wherever the subject is particularly important, an acccount is subjoined of the modern improvements and dif coveries relative to it: fecondly, in regard to the biographical notices, which it is intended to continue throughout the remaining volumes, fo as to exhibit, when the work is completed, a view of the lives and writings, (accompanied with critical remarks on their respective merits)

..of

of the most diftinguished scientific characters, whofe works are noticed in the Tranfactions, continued to the beginning of the prefent century. This volume alone comprizes notices of about one hundred of the more early authors. On the whole, there is great reafon to believe, that under the care, judgment, and know. ledge of the three gentlemen whofe names appear at the title-page of this work, it will be carried on to their own honour and the advantage of science.

We must apologize for not having mentioned before," The Natural Hifiory of Oviparous Quaprupeds and Serpents. By the COUNT DE LA CEPEDE, Keeper of the Royal Cabinet, &c.; tranflated by Mr. Kerr: in four octavo Volumes with

Plates."

When the Count de Buffon conceived his plan of writing an extenfive history of nature, he was aware of the impoffibility that it fhould be completed by the efforts of an individual. He was obliged to entruit the execution of feveral of the fubor dinate parts, therefore, to different perfons, in whofe abilities he could confide. To the Count de la Cepede, the materials of the prefent work were entrusted, and by him they have been arranged and aug. mented, fo as to serve as a continuation of the History of viparous Quadrupeds and Birds, which were given by Buffon himfelf. This work, however, is in every refpect extremely inferior to that of which it forms the continuation. The two firft volumes contain the natural hiftory of oviparous quadrupeds and bipeds, preceded by a preliminary difcourfe on their nature, and is followed by a feparate index of thefe animals. The third and fourth volumes contain the natural hiftory of ferpents, an introductory differtation on their nature, with an effay on the nomenclature and arrangement of them preceding the particular hiftory of the feveral fpecies; and the whole concluding with a feparate index of thefe animals. This lat ́ter is the most interesting part of the work, which, however, will not be found to impart much new knowledge to the English naturalift. Many exploded opinions are retained, and the author is too vifionary and hypothetical to rank highly as a fcientific man. The tranflation is executed in a hafty carelets manner, and fome undue liberties are taken with the original.

A new edition is published of " Imijon's Elements of Science and Art, &e."

It is obvioully neceffary that a work of this fort fhould every now and then be

republifhed, with additions and alterations correfponding with the improvements which are daily taking place in fcience.In the prefent inftance, this has been ably executed by Mr. Webster, who was aflitant to the late Dr. Garnet, at the Royal Institution. Mr. Webster has now given a comprehenfive treatise on chemistry, an account of manufacture and arts, fuch as bleaching, dyeing, refining metals, varnifhing, &c.; in which it has been his object to point out the connection of natural philofophy and mechanics, with their application to the improvement and extention of arts.

A fifth volume is imported of the "Tranfactions of the American Philofophical Society."

It is indebted for fome of its moft valuable papers, to the pen of a man who has done inor for fcience and philofophy than any individual, perhaps, in any country of the world; of a man who was the ornament of his age, and who fled, an exile, from the bigotry and perfecuting fpirit of a country which, to is utter dilgrace, feared, and was made ashamed by his virtues, while it was compelled to pay homage to his furpaffing talents. It needs not be added that we allude to Dr. Priestley. He lately paid the debt of nature, in America-fato profugus!—in the bosom of his own family, who had the melancholy fatisfaction to close his dying eyes.*

We have accidentally delayed to notice the publication of the first volume of Count Rumford's "Philofophical Papers ;” most of them have already been printed in the Transactions of the Royal Society, they are now revived and correed, however, and notes and fupplements are annexed to many of them.

The fecond volume, we are informed, will confit chiefly of original letters, written on various fcientifical fubjects, and on ufeful inventions and improvements. "I have it in contemplation, (fays the Count) to publish, at fome future period, a work (printed uniformly with this volume, and with my effays) on original mechanical inventions; which work, together with the continuation of my eflays, and the memoirs of my life, (which lat, it is probable, will not be publifhed till after my death) will be all the publications I have at prefent any intention of giving to the world."

Dr. TURTON (author of the Medical Glofiary) prefented the public, about a

* A brief biographical memoir of Dr. Priestley has appeared in our Magazine, from the pen of Dr, Aikin.

year

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