398 Life of Sir Staiulord RivlUes. 



other memoirs on the Natural History of the island. One of thesp, 

 entitled " A short account of the Medicinal Plants of Java," 

 comprises the history of the Javaii medicinal plants introduced 

 into the European systems of Materia. Medica, of those which are 

 only mentioned by writers treating exclusively of Indian plants, 

 and of those plants of medicinal utility, discovered or added to 

 the list by the author himself. Another, communicated to Mr. 

 Raffles in 1812, is occupied chiefly by an account of the volcanic 

 ranges of the island, and of the phajiiomena they present ; in- 

 cluding particulars of the eruption and engulphment of the moun- 

 tain Papandayang, in 1772, " an effect of volcanic action," Dr. 

 Daubeny has observed, when quoting Dr. llorsfield's statement, 

 " which, for its extent, seems to exceed almost any that has been 

 hitherto noticed."* 



When authorised, as just narrated, to pursue his researches on 

 account of the East-India Company, Dr. Horslield was established 

 in an extensive and highly cultivated plain, situated nearly in the 

 centre of Java, and elevated about 200 feet above the level of the 

 ocean. Here the collection of insects was carried on with zeal 

 and perseverance, not only by Dr. Horsfield himself, but by va- 

 rious native assistants, who had been properly trained for this 

 purpose. His labours in entomology, as we have noticed, had 

 commenced with the Lepidopteru^ to the metamorphoses of which 

 he devoted so much attention, that he has been ** enabled to bring 

 to the shores of Europe," Mr. W. S. MacLeay has remarked, " a 

 more valuable mass of entomological information, than has ever 



tlie poison from Guiana, called Woorara, that poisons, when applied to wounds, 

 affect the vital organs, by entering the circulation through the divided blood- 

 vessels ; agreeably to the popular opinion on the subject. And like other 

 poisons that are very powerful when applied to wounds, the antshar, by Dr. H's 

 experiments, is much less active when taken internally. 



It has been stated in the text, that Dr. Horsfield's experiments on the 

 Tshellik contradict those of M. Dclile, whicii are quoted by Mr. Brodie: room 

 will not permit us to enter upon the subject here, but Dr. H.'s researches ap- 

 pear to furnish so interesting an addition to Toxicology, that a separate paper 

 on them has been drawn up, and will appear in the Philosophical Magazine 

 for February next 



* Description of Volcanos, p. 316. 



