Miscellaneous Facts and Observations. 159 



is ever to be regretted, that the principal cultivators 

 of natural science, in the United- States, are profes- 

 sional characters, who cannot, without essentially in- 

 juring their best interests, devote to these subjects, 

 that sedulous attention which they demand. 



The Editor of this work will gladly receive any 

 facts or observations, that may tend to complete the 

 history of the mammoth. He is far from intending 

 to undertake a regular work on the subject : but he 

 will be happy to make his Medical and Physical Jour- 

 nal the vehicle of information for those who may pos- 

 sess talents and leisure for an investigation so worthy 

 of the attention of philosophers. 



31. The Editor is informed, that very considera- 

 ble quantities of Plaster of Paris have lately been dis- 

 covered in the state of Virginia, upon one of the head- 

 waters of the Staunton (which runs into the Roanoke), 

 and at the distance of about twenty. five miles from 

 Fincastle. It is much to be wished, that this infor- 

 mation may prove to be correct, as the utility of this 

 substance, used as a manure, is more and more ex- 

 perienced in many parts of the United-States, particu- 

 larly, perhaps, in some of the poorer counties of Vir- 

 ginia, such as Loudon, &c. The price of the article, 

 the greater part of which is imported from France and 

 from Nova- Scotia, prevents the more extensive em- 

 ployment of it, in many parts of the country, where 

 its influence is much wanted. 



