The most singular of these, and that which constitutes it what it is, and to which the greater part of its very singular phenomena may be ascribed, is urea. By proper treatment it may be obtained in crystals, and its properties examined. It is very prone to decomposition, and to this the very quick putrefaction of urine may be ascribed. Dr. Berzelius has discovered many substances in this fluid, which were not before suspected, such as free lactic acid, fluate of lime, and silex, Phosphate of lime is held in solution by the lactic and uric acids, and when, from any disordered temperament of the body, there is a deficiency of the latter, the former becomes precipitated, and forms one of the kind of concretions so terrible, both from their symptoms and their mode of cure. The ingredients of animal calculi are much less numerous than those of the urine ::-pure uric acid, phosphate of lime, a triple combination arising from the mutual decomposition of the urea, and the earthy and phosphoric salts called ammoniaco magnesian phosphate, oxalate of lime, and silex. To these the cystic oxyd has lately been added by Dr. Wollaston, but this is a very rare production. It is very seldom that any of these are found separate, and they are generally bound together by an animal matter, which acts the part of

a cement.

In cases of the stone arising from a surplus of the acid secretions, alkalies have been administered with success; but much mischief has often been done by the use of these when the disorder has arisen from a precipitation of the earthy salts, arising from a deficiency of their acid solvents.

Mr. William Brande has lately been very successful in some trials which he has made with magnesia, when the disorder has arisen from superfluous uric acid.

In the analysis of bone, our author has shewn the same unwearied accuracy as in other animal productions. Besides the constituent parts, phosphate of lime, and cartilage, he discovered by minute analysis in human bone, fluate of lime and phosphate of magnesia*. The muscles or the flesh have never been submitted to any very accurate chemical investigation. They consist chiefly of a fibrous texture, and a peculiar extract, the nature and use of which is thus ingeniously suggested:

"I have endeavoured to prove that this extract is not a constituent part of the flesh, but that it has belonged to the absorbents, and that it consists principally of the decayed particles which have

* The phosphate of lime and other salts may be dissolved by the action of an acid, when the animal matter will remain, retaining the form of the bone, but sq flexible as to be capable of being tied into a knot.

either been absorbed by them, or were ready to be absorbed when life was extinguished. The fluids of the flesh abound much more in this syrupy extract, and contain more phosphate of soda than the blood; from this I have concluded that those matters which are formed by the decay of the parts, are absorbed and introduced into the blood in order to be discharged with the urine, in which they are again discoverable in a considerable quantity."

The solid muscular flesh as well as the whole series of vessels is interwoven with the cellular texture. This serves to connect and fill up the interstices of the different parts, and prevent any unnecessary vacuity in the body. It is moistened by a humour of the same kind as that which is met with in the cavities of the body, in blisters, dropsy, &c.; and in some places is interspersed with a semifluid fat. The skin, which covers and protects these wonderful organizations of animal mechanism, is likewise an organ of secretion. It differs from all others by presenting an extended surface, from which the greatest part of the secreted matter must be discharged by means of evapora tion. This excretion answers the important purpose of equaliz ing animal temperature, by carrying off all superfluous heat by its evaporation. The matter of perspiration bears a very strong analogy to urine, and it has been proved that when the secretion of the former is most abundant, that of the latter is greatly diminished: a strong instance of the wonderful adaptation of nature to the necessities of different circumstances. The skin likewise performs a kind of respiration over the whole body, for it has been found that if the hand be confined in oxygen, a portion of carbonic acid is generated, besides a considerable degree of moisture, and it is an admitted fact that some inferior animals breathe solely by means of this organ.

We have thus followed our author through some of the prin cipal functions and productions of the animal body; and have laid before our readers a short sketch of the little that is yet known of the processes of animal economy. The treatise before us, from its very nature, cannot be expected to contain those minute details, which are desirable in the narration of experimental investigations; but the lover of science will find in it much new and important information. It contains, indeed, more precision and minuteness than we could have expected from so rapid a view of the subject. The author has done full justice to the discoveries of others, and has recorded the results of his own labours and drawn his conclusions with great diffidence.

This science is yet in its infancy, but from the ardour with which it is now pursued, we may reasonably expect that import

ant results will be the consequence; important not only in physiological disquisitions, but to the sanative art*. The great guides in the investigation of this science are certainly comparative anatomy, and comparative animal chemistry. It is by collating the component parts and productions of different animals, of the same animal at different stages, and different states, and in ascertaining in what particulars they differ from each other, that we may hope to throw light upon the obscurest parts of animal economy. While recommending perseverance in the track in which so many ingenious experimenters are now engaged, we will conclude our observations by introducing a further extract from Dr. Berzelius's sketch, which does great honour to the goodness of his heart, and which may furnish a hint not unworthy of the consideration of those of our own countrymen at present employed in the prosecution of this science.

"I have often determined to examine with a compound microscope the contraction of a naked muscle in a living animal, being convinced that by that means something might be obtained towards a nearer explanation of this highly interesting progress of animal mechanics, but I have always been deterred by an insurmountable aversion to see a wounded animal suffer under the hand of an experimenter, much as I at the same time value the important physiological truths which have been discovered in this way.'

We acknowledge the power which has been given to man over the lives of the brute creation, and we do not affect to have over-nice sensibilities about the expenditure of animal life, when any adequate object of research is thereby attainable. But let the sufferings of a being, as susceptible of pleasurable and painful sensations as ourselves, be, if possible, momentary. Let not the excruciating torments of slow working poisons, or the lingering sufferings of partial mutilation be inflicted, with

*The morbid productions of the body, the contraction of disease, and the diffusion of contagion, are not mere speculative subjects of curious enquiry; they solicit the attention of the learned upon the superior motives of humanity. What is contagion? What constitutes the peculiar aptitude of a body to contract disease more at one time than another? Why is it that an animal which has once been attacked by certain disorders is not again subject to the same? And in what way does the contraction of one disease act as a preventive of another?

The first of these questions has lately appeared to receive some elucidation from an ingenious experiment. Glass balls, filled with some purging mixture, were suspended in places exposed to putrid exhalations and effluvia of hospitals, and it was found that along with the moisture upon their surfaces a considerable portion of animal matters was deposited. This would seem to sanction the sup position of a true solution of purulent matter by the atmosphere; but the experiment still wants confirmation. The whole of this interesting subject is enveloped in the deepest obscurity, but presents a field of research as inviting as it is extensive.

The

out a very high probability of some practical benefit. mere gratification of scientific enquiry can never justify barbarity; and we must own, that however we might be disposed to place discretionary power in the hands of those, who, we are conscious, would not abuse it; yet we dread to see the time, when the advancement of animal chemistry shall be attempted by experiments upon animal sensations, rather than the analysis of animal productions.

ART. XIX. Journal of a Residence in India. By Maria Graham. Illustrated by Engravings. Edinburgh: Printed by George Ramsay and Co., for Archibald Constable and Co.

1812.

THE lady who has betrayed sufficient energies of mind and body for the production of a journal of her own travels in quarto, may be supposed to have forfeited in some degree the claim to leniency of criticism, which even the hardened Reviewer is inclined to concede, in the spirit of gallantry, to the fair sex. Aware, perhaps, of her danger, Mrs. Graham has recovered by the modesty of her pretensions that benefit of sex which she had abdicated by the boldness of her undertakings. In proof of this, we will lay before our readers an extract from her preface, which does credit to the writer's good taste and judgment, as it raises no false expectations with respect to the work, to which it serves as an introduction.

"Almost all our modern publications on the subject of India are entirely occupied with its political and military history, details and suggestions upon its trade and commercial resources, and occasionally with discussions upon the more recondite parts of its literary or mythological antiquities. Notwithstanding the great number of these books, therefore, and the unquestionable excellence of many of them, there still seemed to be room for a more popular work on the subject of this great country, a work which, without entangling its readers in the thorny walk of politics or commercial speculation, should bring before them much of what strikes the eye and the mind of an observant stranger, and addressing itself rather to the general reader than to those who are professionally connected with the regions it describes, should perform the same humble but useful office as to India, which tolerably well written books of travels have done as to most of the other countries of the world.

"This purpose, it has been suggested to the writer of the follow

ing pages, might be accomplished in some degree by their publication, and it is with these, and with no higher pretensions, that they are now offered to the public. They were really and truly written, nearly as they now appear, for the amusement of an intimate friend, and without the remotest view to the destiny they have now to encounter; having been prepared for publication merely by the omission of such private details and trifling anecdotes of individuals as could not with propriety be obtruded on the world. The writer is afraid that she secretly means this statement to be received as a kind of apology for some of their imperfections. But the truth is, that she is extremely doubtful whether she could have made the work much better by digesting it with more labour. Its merit, if it have any, must consist in the fidelity and liveliness of a transcript from new impressions, and this she has found it would have been in great danger of losing, if she had ventured to change the character of her original sketch, by attempting (perhaps after all not very successfully), to reduce its redundancies, or to strengthen its colouring."

Mrs. Graham's movements were too devoid of system, and defined object, to allow of our tracing her steps with any degree of accuracy through her various rambles; but this we reckon no disadvantage, as it allows us the greater freedom in selecting the scenes to which we are most tempted to accompany her. It may be a relief to our readers, to pause awhile in the discussion of more important topics, and make an excursion or two with this lively and intelligent companion, who will not forbid our glancing at subjects of deeper interest, should they fall in our way. Profiting then by the freedom allowed us on this desultory plan, we will at once introduce our readers to the garden of Sir James Mackintosh, in Bombay. It belonged to his country-house, in which the writer spent some time.

"Our garden is delightful; the walks are cut in the wood on the side of the hill, and covered with small sea-shells from the beach of Back Bay, instead of gravel, which, besides the advantage of drying quickly in the rainy season, are said to keep off snakes, whose skins are easily wounded by the sharp edges of the broken shells. On each side of the walks are ledges of brick, chunamed over, to prevent them from being destroyed by the monsoon rains. We are always sheltered from the sun by the fan-like heads of the palmyras, whose tall columnar stems afford a free passage to the air, and serve to support an innumerable variety of parasite and creeping plants, which decorate their rough bark with the gayest hues, vying with the beautiful shrubs which flourish beneath, and affording shelter to birds more beautiful than themselves. Some of these build in the sweet-scented champaka and the mango; and one, small as the humming bird, fixes its curious nest to the pointed tips of the palmyra leaf, to secure its young from the tree-snake, while