ON THE PROTEUS. ANGUJN US. 



91 



This colour is different therefore froip that of some other 



fruits, as the plum uud cherry, which becomes green on the 



addition of alkalks ; and from that of litmus, which alkalis Differs from 



turn blue: but it appears to have some analogy with that of ^'^^r^*^ j"'c«* 

 ^•^ 1 • f. T 11 of some othef 



the grape, as Imie water turns red wuxe ot a dirty yellow, ,,: it. 



which acids change again to red. ■■ Analogous ti9 



that cf the 

 grapQ. 



Sect. IY. 

 Other properties, and cultivation of the pliytolacca. 



In North America the leaves are boiled, and eaten as spi- 

 nach, and 1 have found them very good*. Thp juice of the jfg leaves es 

 root is a purgative, and may be taken in the dose of a table- lent. 

 spoonful or two ; but must not be used when there is any Juice of ihe 

 inflammation of the viscera. The narcotic virtues, that have ^ «» * 

 been ascribed to it are illusory, as Lemery observed. 



It may be propagated by seed, sown in the spring in light 

 ground, and transplanted to a dry soil, which should be dug '*' 

 very deep. When the plants have taken root, they require 

 no care, but to be kept free from weeds. The stalks die 

 with the first frosts, but the roots are 'perennial, and throw 

 out shoots in the spring for several years. 



III. 



A Memoir on the Proteus Anguinus; by Baron von Zoisf. 



Ji- HE proteus anguinns is found in Carniola, between 



Sittich, an ancient monastery about eight leagues from hi-Aj- Where found* 



bach, on the roud to Neustadt, and a small village called Vir 



in the Sclavonian language, and Weyer in German. 



* Th^ young shoots are said to be as good as asparagus. Tr. 



•f- Translated from the Italian manuscript of Baron Zois by Mr.Siauv'e, 

 commissary at, war; and inserted in tiie Magazin Encyclopedique for 

 January, 1807, p. 59 j whence this article is taken. 



The 



