454 Notices respecting New Books. 
how the total want or the diminution of a substance should pro- 
duce the same effect as its accumulation. But this is not the 
only instance where sameness of effect is apparently produced 
by opposite or different causes in the animal ceconomy, and it 
originates, perhaps, in our very limited knowledge of the latter. 
Other phenomena are more difficult to explain, such as the per- 
meability of glass by the electric fluid, Xc. The author, in com- 
mon with most of the electricians in France, seems to have known 
something of the discoveries of the Rev. Mr. Lyon of Dover, 
whose writings and researches on electrical phenomena from 
1767—to 1807 are much better known on the continent than 
they are in England. It is an error of some original writers to 
despise too much contemporary fame, in consequenee of which 
their discoveries are appropriated by others; and foreigners often 
avail themselves of this circumstance to profit by their labours 
without acknowledgement. In justice to the Genoa Professor 
it may be observed, that he has followed the French; and that 
he is extremely careful, in quoting authorities, (such as he finds 
them in French translations of English books,) in assigning to — 
each his true merit and portion of discovery, and in tracing the 
progress of knowledge respecting this still half known science. 
Dr. Crichton has just published An Account of some Experi- 
ments made with the Vapour of Boiling Tar in the Cure of 
Pulmonary Consumption. 
Mr. Accum has in the press a second Edition of his Che- 
mical Amusement, comprising 160 curious and instructive ex- 
periments in chemistry, which may be performed with safety in 
the closet, and the exhibition of which does not require the aid 
of costly and complicated instruments. The work will be illus- 
trated with plates engraved by Lowry. 
The First Part of Mr. William Smith’s Stratigraphical System 
of Organized Fossils, with reference to the Geological Collection 
deposited in the British Museum, showing their use in identily- 
ing the British Strata, has just made its appearance, price 15s. 
To simplify and elucidate Geology, by exciting the attention 
of the curious to numberless new objects i in nature, which may 
call forth the industry, talent, and capital of others, to explore 
and extract the subterraneous wealth of the country, when the 
employment of the people is an object of legislative inquiry, must 
be nationally useful ; nor can any one doubt the utility of such 
minute researches, ‘one considers that bis food, his clothing, and 
every article around him, comes directly or indirectly from the | 
soil.—Part II. which completes Mr. Smith’s work on this branch 
of Geology, will be speedily published, 
The 
