1314.] Scientific Intelligence. 75 



Herodotus informs us that when the Scythians were inhabitants of 

 Asia they advanced towards Egypt ; but were prevailed upon by 

 Psammetichus, King of that country, to desist. On their return, 

 through Syria they plundered the temple of Urania, in the city of 

 Askalon. In consequence of this, the goddess sent a Jemini/ic 

 disease among tliem. 



Reineggs is the first modern writer who mentions the present 

 existence of this disease among the Nogays, who are at present 

 subjects of the Russian empire. Count Potocki, when travelling 

 along the Kuma, in 17'W? met with an old man who had this 

 disease. He informs us that such persons are called Coss; and that 

 the disea-. is not unknown in Turkey, where those subject to it have 

 received the same appellation. The disease, as far as it has been 

 described by Reineggs and Potocki, is distinguished by the follow- 

 ing symptoms. It only attacks old persons. The skin grows 

 wrinkled, the beard falls off, and the person assumes completely 

 the appearance of a woman. He becomes incapable of propagating 

 his species, and bis sentiments and actions lose their masculine 

 character. In this state he is obliged to shun the company of men, 

 and to associate with women, whom he perfectly resembles. The 

 disease is now rare. 



II. The Caucasus. 



The Caucasus is a well known range of mountains between the 

 Black Sea and the Caspian. According to the account of Julius 

 Von Klaproih, the two highest summits of this range are known by 

 the names of Elbrus and Niquirwari. The former he considers as 

 larger and higher than Mount Blanc, and the latter as fully equal 

 to that mountain in size. Klaproth's account of the structure of 

 these mountains is very remarkable ; but I am not certain that we 

 can rely upon the names of the rocks in the English translation, 

 and I have not had an opportunity of examining the original. 

 Klaproth, who is the son of the most celebrated chemical analyst of 

 the present age, ought to be acquainted with the technical names 

 of rocks ; but the English translation bears very evident marks that 

 the translator was at least unacquainted with the English names 

 commonly given to minerals. 



The external range consists of limestone. As we advance towards 

 the centre, rocks of clay slate make their appearance ; at first 

 brown, but as we proceed they become blue, and acquire a greater 

 degree of hardness. The centre consists of red basaltic porphyry 

 and clay porphyry, intermixed more or less with glassy felspar, and 

 a small portion of mica : tor the chief mass of this porphvry, he 

 observes, seems, in a mineralogical point of view, to be a distinct 

 mineral from basalt ; it is nevertheless very nearly allied to it, and 

 composes one formation with the basaltic porphyry proper, into the 

 principal matter of which it not (infrequently changes. Where the 

 principal mass ceases, a species of hornblende, which appears some- 



