204 
eured, but general combustions never. 10. 
The victims of spontaneous combustion suf- 
fer a very strong internal heat. 11. The 
combustion developes itself at once, and 
consumes the body in a few hours. 12. 
The parts of the body which are not affected 
by combustion, mortify. 13. The bodies 
of those affected by spontaneous combustion 
have a tendency to putridity, immediately 
inducing gangrene. 14. The residue after 
this combustion is composed of fatty cinders, 
and of an unctuous soot, both having a fetid 
odour, which pervades the apartment, im- 
pregnates the furniture, and is perceptible at 
a great distance. Without entering into 
the other theories which have been formed 
to account for this dreadful phenomenon, 
we shall state the causes which M. Julia 
Fontenelle assigns of it. We regard, he 
Says, what are called spontaneous human 
combustions, not as true combustions, but 
as internal and spontaneous re-actions due 
to new products, to which a deprivation of 
the muscles, tendons, entrails, &c. gives 
rise. These products, when uniting, yield 
the same phenomena as combustion, with- 
out depending at all on the induence of 
external agents. It may be objected to this, 
that let the cause which determines the 
Varieties. 
[Aveust, 
combustion be what it may, the caloric dis- 
engaged must be considerable, and conse- 
quently would ignite all the neighbouring 
substances. In answer to this it is replied, 
that all combustible substances are very far 
from disengaging an equal quantity of ca- 
loric by combustion. While from various 
experiments of Davy, it seems probable that 
the products due to the deterioration of the 
body may be very combustible, yet without 
disengaging as much caloric as the other 
combustible bodies known, and without 
leaving a residue like some of the gases; 
and it “would appear that in some subjects, 
particularly women, there exists a particu- 
lar disposition which, united to the weak- 
ness occasioned by age, an inactive life, and 
the abuse of spirituous liquors, may occasion 
a spontaneous combustion. But Mr. L. is 
far from considering either alcohol or hy- 
drogen, or excessiye fat, as a material cause 
of this combustion. If alcohol have much 
to do with this morbid affection, it is in 
contributing to its production, that is to 
say, to produce with the above-mentioned 
causes this deterioration, which gives rise 
to new products very combustible, of which 
the reaction determines the combustion of 
the body. 
WORKS IN THE PRESS AND NEW PUBLICATIONS. 
WORKS IN PREPARATION. 
The last Number (39) of the new edition 
of Stephen’s Greek Thesaurus, containing 
the General Index, &c. will be published 
next month. 
The Delphin and Variorum Classics, 
Nos. 117 to 120, containing Livy, Mani- 
lius, and Panegyrici Veteres, will be pub- 
lished this month. 
Alexander Von Humboldt’s Lectures. on 
Pysical Geography, by Cotta, under the title 
of Entwourf einer Physischen, Wettbes- 
chreibung editions, in French and English, 
in two volumes, vo. ; 
Simplicity of Health; exemplified by 
Hortator, and approved by Mr. Abernethy 
the surgeon. 
Dr. Gordon Smith has in the press a 
small volume, to be entitled Hints to Coun- 
sel, Coroners, and Juries, on the Examina- 
tion of Medical Witnesses. 
Occasional Thoughts on Select Texts of 
Scripture.. By the late John Mason Good, 
Practical Instructions for the Formation 
and Culture of the Tree Rose. 12mo. 
With Cuts. 
Early Impressions; or Moral and In- 
structive Entertainment for Children, in 
Prose and Verse. With Twelve Designs 
by Dighton. 
Sermons. By the Rey. H. Raikes, A.M. 
In one volume, 8vo. 
Sermons. By the Rev. James Proctor, 
A.M., Fellow of Pet. Coll., Cambridge ; 
late Curate of Bentley, Hants, and Assis-— 
tant Minister of Farnham, Surrey. In one 
volume, 8vo. 
A New Translation of the History of He- 
rodotus, intended for the Use of General 
Readers; with short Notes and Maps. By 
Isaac Taylor, Jun. 
The Progress of Learning in England, 
from Wiiliam the Conqueror to the Reign 
of Queen Elizabeth. By the Rev. Samuel 
Burgess, A.M. In one volume, 8yo. 
Leisure Hours: in Prose and Verse. By 
the same Author. In one volume, post 8yo. 
A New Dictionary, French-English and 
English-French, compiled from Boyer and 
Deletanville. By D. Boileau. 
An Essay on the Science of Acting; with 
Instructions for Young Actors, wherein the 
Action, the Utterance of the Stage, the 
Bar, and the Pulpit, are distinctly consi- 
dered. By a Veteran Stager. In one vo- 
lume, price 5s. boards. 
First Principles of Arithmetic ; or, a Sure 
and Easy System of Calculation : translated 
from the French of M. Condorcet. With 
alterations and additions, by Henry Ottley. 
Historical Memoir on the Foreign Policy 
of Great Britain since 1814. By H. Ellis, 
Esq. 
The Life of Miguel de Cervantes Saa- 
vedra. By J. G. Lockhart, LL.B. 
A Summary of the Englirh Language; 
being a Selection of Words im general use, 
which are erroneously pronounced.. Also, 
Remarks on the elegant Prong of 
some Words, &c. 
