But it is generally, perhaps always, considered as a contagious fever, and perhaps not unnaturally, under the neglect of this cause; since amidst such a crowd, it is an easy conclusion that the disease is communicated from one to another. Yet, if it were so, the cleanliness to which I have alluded would not be a prevention; and in which, were it a contagious fever, it would far more often spread to the people on shore, after reaching harbour, than it is found to do. That there are sometimes contagious fevers on shipboard is most certain; but such cases and their consequences must not be allowed to mislead us on so important point as this,—since this would be to deprive us of the means of prevention which are in our power, and which are as simple as they are efficacious.

But not to dwell any longer on this case, important as it is, I cannot help thinking, that when naval surgeons shall have duly considered this subject, they will learn to coincide in the same opinion; and if it should prove so, then may we learn to prevent at sea, that which has been a most grievous evil in more ways than it is necessary to point out. And if ships were to be duly fumigated with sulphurous acid before receiving fresh crews in harbour, with such further precautions as to the people themselves are well understood; and if, in addition, care was taken, daily, to wash the ship, so as that the pump should bring up water as clear as the sea without, it is almost impossible that diseases of this character should ever make their appearance, or impossible, at least, that they should ever again be a cause of serious suffering.

But I must terminate a paper which is rapidly exceeding its stipulated bounds; intending, in a future communication, to complete the subject, by describing what belongs to the propagation of malaria; what relates to the effects of climate; and what further may be done as concerns what is the real object of this paper, the prevention or diminution of disease.

317

Transactions of the Horticultural Society of London, Vol. vi. Part 5.

THIS Part terminates the sixth volume of the Transactions of this Society; it contains the Preface, Index, and other materials for completing the volume, and a few miscellaneous papers, which will be noticed presently.

The Preface acquaints us with the progress of the Society since the termination of the fifth volume, and of the influence which its proceedings have exercised over similar institutions in various districts of the country. We are told that “from an anxious desire to hold out assistance and countenance to the efforts of all such bodies, wherever they may exist, the Council of this Society has lately determined to give annually to each local Horticultural Society whose affairs are directed by a president and council or committee, one of their large silver medals, to be awarded by the local society to some one individual in their own district whose skill in gardening shall appear to them to be most deserving of the distinction." This is a measure which we hope will conduce most materially to the fostering and encouraging of horticulture in every corner of the country. We are also informed, that of the expeditions undertaken at the expense of the Society in foreign countries, one is still in operation and the other has terminated. The former, under the charge of Mr. David Douglas, extracts from whose very curious Journal we laid before our readers in our last number, is expected to produce the most valuable additions to the ornamental plantations of Great Britain; and, to use the words of the preface, "it is hoped that from this expedition our gardens will become as well filled with the beautiful vegetation of the borders of the Columbus and of the Rocky Mountains, as it is already with that of the Ohio and Mississipi." Of that which has terminated under the direction of Mr. James M'Kar, who accompanied the Sandwich Island Chieftains on their return from this country, it is stated that this individual

"successively visited Rio Janeiro and St. Catharine's in Brazil, several ports on the coasts of Chili and the Sandwich Islands. On his return, he landed upon Albemarle Island, one of the Gallipsyos, touched at Chorillo Bay, on the coast of Peru, and revisited Chili, when he found an opportunity of reaching Santiago, and botanizing among the little-known region of the Cordilleras. Upon this occasion, Mr. M'Kar succeeded in procuring a supply of fresh nuts of the highly-prized Araucaria Pine, which arrived in England in a living state, and from which a considerable distribution has already been made by the Society. The collection of

trees and plants of all kinds was very large, and of the greatest value to science. To the Sandwich Islands this expedition has produced advantages which it is hoped that these countries will long continue to enjoy, and which may be no inconsiderable means of hastening the civilization of the natives. In addition to a large supply of European fruits and vegetables, Mr. M'Kar succeeded in transplanting safely most of the valuable productions of the same kind which are found in Brazil."

The Papers are these-

LXIV. Notices of Communications to the Horticultural Society, between Jan. 1, 1823, and Jan. 1, 1824, of which separate accounts have not been published in the Transactions.

This consists, as its title purports, of miscellaneous notices upon a great variety of Horticultural subjects, most of which are quite incapable of abridgement. Mr. Williams finds the Siberian crab the proper stock upon which to graft the much-valued golden pippin. Mr. Gregory represents a mode of preparing temporary protections to fluedwalls, by building into the top of such walls wooden blocks of a particular construction, to which rafters can be easily attached when required. This is a very ingenious and useful plan, and of great importance in our northern counties. Mr. Lambert preserved nuts during the winter by placing them in a large brown earthenware pan, which, when filled, was placed in a deep hole in the garden; the top of the pan being covered with a flat piece of wood on which was put a heavy weight, the hole was filled with earth. By this method, nuts may be kept in a fresh state till the season of their maturity returns. Captain Rainier recommends medlar stocks for grafting pears upon. We suspect, however, that the objection to this is, that the pear will not, as the gardeners say, stand upon such a stock.

LXV. Notice of the Siberian Bittersweet, a new and valuable Cider Apple. By Thomas Andrew Knight, Esq., F.R.S., President. This variety Mr. Knight considers of the greatest importance in cider counties. If the juice is made to evaporate in a moderately low temperature, it affords a large quantity of jelly of intense sweetness, which to my palate is extremely agreeable; and which might be applied to purposes similar to those to which the inspissated juice of the grape is applied in France."

LXVI. An account of two varieties of the Mango Fruit, which ripened in the garden of the Earl of Powis. By Joseph Sabine, Esq. A description of the two mangoes which, as we stated in our last number, were exhibited in the autumn of 1826 by

the Earl of Powis. It is illustrated by beautiful coloured figures of the two varieties.

LXVII. An account of ten varieties of Persian Melons. By Mr. John Lindley, F.L.S., &c. &c.

The varieties described in this paper are said to be for the most part of surpassing excellence, with great delicacy, but at the same time richness of flavour. There appears, however, to be greater difficulty in cultivating the melon of Persia than the less excellent but more robust varieties of Europe. The writer recommends a particular mode of treatment, and describes the ten varieties in detail.

LXVIII. Report on new or remarkable Esculent Vegetables cultivated in the garden of the Horticultural Society, during the year terminating on the 31st of March, 1826.

One of the most striking horticultural features of this age is the high degree of perfection to which esculent vegetables have been brought. The leeks, onions, cabbages, and kail of our forefathers exist, indeed, after their kind, but in so altered and improved a state, that we doubt whether their identity could be easily recognised if opportunities for actual comparison could be found. The object of this Report is to put the public in possession of information upon this head, derived in the garden, from an examination of the numerous collections that are yearly cultivated there. For an account of the numerous varieties mentioned in it, we must refer our readers to the paper itself. It is the first of a series of Reports on the subject, which are intended to be annually published.

On the Effect of certain Exercises on the Form, and their Influence in preventing or curing Distortions of the Spine.

A DISCUSSION on exercise comprehends several questions:first, the necessity of exercise to the preservation of the health and form; secondly, how far those plans at present in fashion are calculated to improve the figure generally; thirdly, whether there is any danger in the performance of some of them; and lastly, how far they are beneficial in cases of distortion.

The importance of well-regulated exercise is acknowledged by all: for it is only by exercise that the several parts of the body

are fully developed, perfected, and preserved from falling into decay. In this climate we cannot enjoy the fresh air unless we, at the same time, keep our bodies in active exercise; and every one knows how much this conduces to the general activity of the frame, and assists in the operations of the digestive organs*. It is also the most effectual remedy for that morbid excess of nervous irritability which is sometimes observed even at an early age.

The works of Locke, of Addison, indeed of all the most eminent writers on education, contain admirable examples of the influences which activity of the body has over the operations of the mind. Even Hippocrates, who wrote a philippic against violent exercises, says, moderate exertion gives firmness and strength to the body, and vigour to the mind; and in Pliny there is an observation to the same effect. "Mirum est ut animus agitatione motuque corporis excitetur." But the most forcible remark is made by Rousseau in his Emilius: “The weaker the body, the more it commands; the stronger it is, the more it obeys; the body must possess vigour to be obedient to the mind; a good servant should be robust."

These views have not always been admitted; for although it has been allowed, that the mental energies of the eastern nations correspond to the inactive and indolent life which they lead, it has been argued that the savage, who possesses bodily strength, agility, health, and all the animal faculties in greater perfection than man in the more advanced state of society, is but little removed above the brutes in regard to intellectual faculties. But this question has been so often and so well met, that it would be almost presuming, and certainly unnecessary,

The following is rather a curious instance of the necessity of exercise; it is in the life of Eumenes, by Cornelius Nepos. "Hine tamen, multis suis amissis, se expedivit, et in castellum Phrygiæ quod Nora appellatur, confugit. In quo cum consederetur, et vereretur ne uno loco manens equos militares perderet, quod spatium non esse agitandi; callidum ejus fuit inventum quemadmodum stans jumentum calefieri exercerique posset, quo libentius et cibo uteretur et a corporis motu non removeretur. Substringebat caput loro altius, quam ut prioribus pedibus plane terram posset attingere; deinde post verberibus cogebat exultare, et calces remittere, qui motus non minus sudorem excutiebat quam si in spatio decurreret. Quo factum est, quod omnibus mirabile est visum, ut jumenta ex castello educeret, quum complures menses in obsidione fuisset, ac si in campestribus ea locis habuisset."