Notices respecting New Books. 461 
of water (at least), whose place is supplied by the substance im- 
mediately under it, communicating a continuance and succes- 
sion of motion and sensation called heat throughout the system. > 
When an organ in the human frame is much debilitated, a blister 
or sudden decomposition on the surface is often more efficaciously 
invigorating to what is beneath it, than internal medicine—from 
the latter being only a spur to an already jaded animal, and giv- 
ing dangerous kicks to its neighbouring organs ; while the for- 
mer is a happier imitation of natural stimulus. I conclude there- 
fore with venturing to submit that heat is an effect of disor- 
ganization, and not an elementary principle. 
I am, sir, very respectfully, yours, &c. 
Claughton-House, Lancaster, S.S. 
Nov. 17, 1818. 
P.S. As we recede from the equator or ecliptic, the decom- 
posing principle acts with less energy ; therefore the atmosphere 
contains less earthy matter; so that what is lightning in a dense 
atmosphere may rationally be aurora borealis at the poles. 
LXXI. Notices respecting New Books. 
Tue Transactions of the Royal Society, Part II. for 1818, just 
published, contain: 
XIV. On the Parallax of certain fixed Stars. By the Rev. John 
Brinkley, D.D. F.R.S. and Andrews Professor of Astronomy in 
the University of Dublin—XV. On the Urinary Organs andS Se- 
cretions of some of the Amphibia. By John Davy, M.D.F.R.S 
Communicated by the Society for the Improvement of Animal 
Chemistry —XVI.—On a Mal-conformation of the Uterine Sy- 
stem in Women; and on some physiological Conclusions to be 
derived from it. Tn a Letter to Sir Everard Home, Bart. V.P.R.S 
from A. B. Granville, M.D. F.R.S. F.L.S. Physician in Ordinary 
to H.R. H. the Duke of Clarence ; Member of the Royal Co!- 
lege of Physicians, and Physician- Actoue heur to the Westminster 
General Dispensary.— XVII. New Experiments on some of the 
Combinations of Phosphorus. By Sir H. Davy, LL.D. F.R.S. 
Vice-Pres. R.I.—XVII!. New experimental Researches on some 
of the leading Doctrines of Caloric ; particularly on the Relation 
between the Elasticity, Temperature, and latent Heat of different 
Vapours; and on thermometric Admeasurement and Ca ’pacity. 
By Andrew Ure, M.D. Communicated by W. H. Wollaston, 
M.D. F.R.S.—XIX. Observations on the Heights of Mountains 
in the North of England. By Thomas Greatorex, Esq. F.L.S. 
In a Letter to Thomas Young, M.D. For. Sec. R.S.—XX. On 
the different Methods of constructing a Catalogue of fixed Stars. 
By J. Pond, Esq. F.R.S. Astronomer Royal.—XXI. A Descrip- 
ticn 
