1811.7, 
the lungs, not only useless, but even 
highly prejudicial to the animal economy, 
has been by the action of the vegetable, 
‘again rendered pure. This is the pros 
cess and, effect of vegetation, not in one 
particular plant, but through the whole 
of nature—Not but.some plants may 
exude effluvia pernicious to the ani. 
mal economy; but fortunately they are 
extremely rare. I have no knowledge 
of any in this kingdom. An instance 
of one is related, said to exist in the 
East Indies, whose baneful effects ex- 
tend to a considerable distance. 
The medicinal properties of plants are 
to be extracted only by different processes, 
such as infusion, distillation, &c. Pro 
ducts often of the most opposite qualities 
are obtained from the same plant by va- 
ryingthetreatment, Thus, froma highly 
dea plant is procured the cassava 
read of the American Indians and the 
tapioca of Commerce. In the communi- 
cation of Dr. Sims last month, is related 
another instance,. The leaves of the stra 
-Monium are unquestionably, as I have 
witnessed, highly usefulin asthma; but it 
‘appears the effect of the seed and wood 
are quite different. The nightshade, a 
well known poison if eaten, I never 
found to affect the air, although growing 
in considerable quantities: the aroma 
er vevetable substance, is little known ; 
it appears generally 'to be obtained in 
the essential oil. 
Tn answer to your correspondent on 
the analysis of soils; I should presume 
in many instances the substitution of ni- 
tro-muriatic acid, for muriatic may be 
found useful; but I submit to that gen- 
tleman’s consideration, whether his an- 
prebensions of a false result being ob- 
tained are not groundless; it appears to 
me that if the iron is already so far satu- 
rated with oxygen as to be insoluble in 
the acid, it cannot gain weight in the 
process of destroying the vegetable mat- 
ter by fire. 
Supposing the steel ball suspended 
in the manner an Amateur in Philo- 
‘sophy describes, its vibrations would be 
stopped from the following causes :— 
4st. Although the magnetic powers might 
at first be adjusted with the greatest 
accuracy, the adjustment from the 
Mature of the attractive fluid would be 
quickly destroyed.—Qdly. Were the 
pe lum suspended according to the 
most approved mechanical principles, 
there would still remain a portion of 
friction sufficient to impede and eyen- 
‘tually stop its action.-3dly. The force 
ff gravity would be greatest, and the 
Facts relating to Admiral Patton. 
515 
tendency of the pendulum to a state of 
inaction, greatest at that point where 
the small power of the magnets would 
be exerted to counteract each other; viz. 
the midway of an arc of a circle, the 
centre of which would be the point of 
the pendulum’s suspension. 
J. Bennetr, 
Greenwich, May 15, 1811. 
a 
For the Monthly Magazine. 
Facts relating to apMiRaL patton, ha- 
ving a reference to the cENsuRES of a 
REVIEW upon his ‘‘ NATURAL DEFENCE 
of an INSULAR EMPIRE.” 
are work of a professional man upon 
a professional subject, where judg- 
ment and opinion are submitted to public 
consideration, may be expected to, pro= 
duce an influence proportioned to the 
professional character of its author. The 
art of depreciating such a work will con- 
sist in the endeavour to lessen the profes= 
sional credit and estimation of its author 
with the public. 
The review opens its censures upon 
the Natural Defence of an Insular Em- 
pire, by ridiculing clubs of old naval offis 
cers meeting frequently together to extol 
the navy of their day, and depreciate the 
present; not one word of which will bear 
the smallest reference to Admiral Pat- 
ton’s habitudes and occupations, 
The reviewer seems to have been sup- 
plied with a list of the naval services in 
which. Admiral P, was engaged, which is 
accurate as far as it goes, but it is not 
complete; and it omits what was mos¢ 
essential to establish the admiral’s claim 
to attention upon the subject of discrie 
minating the views, the wishes, the 
merits, the intentions, and the proper 
management of seamen, which facts will 
specify. Lisi ian 
In thelist given of naval services, where 
Admiral P, was present, the taking of the 
Havannah is omitted,where hawas made 
a lieutenant; and Sir Hyde Parker’s ac- 
tion off the Dogger Bank, where he com+ 
manded a frigate, and discovered one of 
the enemy's ships, which was sunk in the 
night, and brought her pennant to the 
admiral. 
The reviewer states a circumstance to 
prove the impartiality of the adiniralty in 
conferring favours, in an instance which 
had Admiral P. himself for its object, 
when he was in the station of a come 
mander, by. appointing him to the tempo» 
rary command of a ninety gan ship, on a 
service of importance. Chis gertainly 
was the case, and befoye this appoiite 
ment 
