Natural History. 91 



jmrnense mass of evklence in favour of unsusceptibility of 

 small-pox after the cow-pock demoiislrates that ihe failures 

 are more reasonably to be imputed to deceptions and dcti- 

 ciency of knowledge, than to exceptions to the law of the 

 animal economy, that the vaccina produces unsusceptibility 

 of the small-pox." 



ENCOURAGEMENT OF LITKRATUUE AND SCIENCE. 



The emperor of Russia, ^vhiie be attends to the prosperity 

 of the people whoai lie governs, sterns anxious to promote, 

 by his patronage, the cauie of se.ence every where, as being 

 beneficial to the general interests of m.ankind. 

 - Among recent instaaees of his munificence in this re- 

 spect we have to record the following : 



A prize question on gun-shot wounds having been pro- 

 posed bv the fioval College of Surgeons, Mr. Cheralhcr, 

 sur.Teon, gained 'the medal, as the author of the best disser- 

 tation. The Emperor Alexander, in consequence, bestowed 

 on hi-m a diamond ring of considerable vaUie^'*. 



Dr. Thornton, author of the Temple of Flora and Phdo- 

 sophTj of Bofa/ii/, a work now publishing, has also been 

 presented with a diamond ring from tiie Emperor ot Russia, 

 accompanied with the following lett.oi : *' 



" His Imperial Majesty the Emperor 01 Russia having, 

 with much satisfaction, examined into the contents ot your 

 splendid, elaborate, and usej'td botanical work, has directed 

 me to transmit to vou the ring herewith sent, as a mark 01 

 his benevolence, and a proof of his regard for every thing 

 which is of public utility. 



" NOVOSSILZOFF, 



" Pros, of the Lnper. Acad." 

 We have lilcewise learnt that the author of the Costumes 

 t)f, Russia has received a testimony of the mumilcence of 

 the same potentate. 



NATURAL IJISTORY. 



Count von HoffmanscQ-2;, known by his travels througli 

 Portugal for improvinsr miTural history, obtained leave some 

 years a.ro from the Pnncc regent of Portugal to send to 

 Brazil a person named Sieber, well experienced in the 

 science of natural historv and in collecting the productions 

 oi nature, for the purpose of obtaining a series ot observa- 

 tions in regard to that extensive country. Sieber proceeded, 



• Mr. Chuvallier was also appointed surgcyn extmoraiiiary to lus 

 Royal Highness the Prince of Walts. 



under 



