34 On the influence of certain subsiances 
NERTCHINSK. 
Five hundred miles east of Verchney Udinsk, on the south east 
confines of Siberia, over a rich country abounding in timber and pas- 
tures, is Nertchinsk, on a small river which flows into the Selenga, 
through the Bunat steppe. This city is famous for its metallic and 
mineral treasures. There are within its jurisdiction, thirteen silver 
mines and six founderies, beside an iron foundery, and a considerable 
amount of gold and copper. ‘The silver mines are wrought by con- 
victs, and such is the severity of the discipline and requirements, as 
fully to verify the pathetic details concerning the horrors of -banish- 
ment to Siberia. There are, in these mines, two thousand four hun- 
dred and fifty eight convicts, confined for life. If they desert, they 
are liable to be shot by the wanderers on the Bratskey steppe, if they 
take the high road they can obtain subsistence only at the post houses, 
where they are immediately arrested, returned to their prisons, and 
subjected to additional inflictions. 'They are guarded by five or six 
hundred officers, to prevent their purloming gold and gems. 
the hills, on the river Argoon, east of Nertchinsk, are found 
some of the most splendid minerals and gems. Among them are 
amethyst, topaz, aqua marine, onyx, quartz crystals, and Scotch peb- 
bles of the largest size and of singular beauty. 
In reviewing the discoveries which have been made within and 
near the Arctic circle, it appears that primitive rocks compose the 
shores of the Frozen Ocean, probably forming, in high northern lati- 
tudes, an entire belt around the globe. This circuit has been, in 
part, accurately surveyed, and reasoning from well ascertained geo- 
gical facts, there can scarcely be a doubt that those intervals which 
have not been examined, are continuations of ranges known to exist 
in the same parallels, and in corresponding meridians. 
Arr. [1.—On the influence of certain substances on the Peroxide 
of Hydrogen. 
Columbia, 8. C. June 24th, 1829. 
TO THE EDITOR. j 
Dear Sir,—I take the liberty of sending you the following re- 
marks on a subject, which I presume will not be uninteresting to you.- 
