1 
1992. letter from Arcticus. 59 
ment on the doctor’s principle. I likewise suggested 
that it might be hung by a twisted catgut; but 
-was afsured that it was firmly held in a slit piece of 
iron or nail, driven into the ceiling, and that it poin- 
ted out the temperature, not the humidity of the ate: 
mosphere ; and that he did not remark any ethics 
kind of thermometer in the whole house. 
If any of your correspondents are acquainted with 
this instrument, they will probably be so kind as to 
give’some description of it, until we can get farther 
information upon what prowises to be of such gene~ 
_. ral use, from its cheapnefsand simple construction, if 
it fhould be found to indicate changes in the atmos~ 
phere with any degree of exactnefs. 
Code, the Japanese merchant mentioned’ by Cox: 
and Lisippe, the French consul, in his journey from 
Kamtchatka, was brought down last. winter by coun-- 
sellor Laxmann, his protector and friend, inspector 
of the Siberian fofsils, who resides at Irkuthk, and re- 
_ mained with us a few months. I had frequently am: 
‘3 opportunity of seeing him, both at the. lodgings of. 
_ that able mineralogist, and.at the house of our cele. 
_ brated naturalist, Dr Pallas. He is a little, tight, well 
made man, with le enk Serine tied behind, a Peete 
aS, 
+ 
TY 
| 
” 
ropean in Petersburgh ; as what he could: have saved 
from the wreck of his-fhip must long ago have been: 
“worn out. We were all surprised at the degree of. 
knowledge he pofsefsed, considering his line of life and’ 
‘country ; for example, in the hot house of my friend: 
Pallas, he pointed out to us the plants that were na- 
