172 Intelligence and Miscellanies. 



sunk and was succeeded by another, and this by another 

 similar one ; then was darkness a moment, and next follow- 

 ed three successive flashes. We lowered our lantern ; her 

 mizen light again appeared, and all hands were called to 

 execute the order. This is the first time I have introduced 

 to you a night signal: we had two on Saturday night in the 

 midst of the storm : their effect, in rough or calm weather, 

 is always very fine. 



The gale came on soon after ; it brought one complaisant, 

 and this appeared at our mizen royal-mast head : our main- 

 mast has a chain conductor. 



Cum " magno telluris amore." Yours, &c. 



3. The number Jive, the most favorite number of nature. — 

 Prof. Eaton. 



Although lilies and many other plants have the organs 

 of fructification in sixes, also some in threes, others in fours, 

 and the honey-cells of bees have sides in sixes, &c. yet na- 

 ture's favorite number appears to be five. At least, the half 

 of all known plants have the parts of fructification in fives, 

 or in a number which is the product of five. 



On examining the radiated division of animals, we find 

 the sea star and medusa's head (asterias aculeata and ca- 

 put medusae) have their medullary processes incased in five 

 rays. The genus actinia has its rays in fives or in a num- 

 ber produced by some product of five. Every species of 

 the coral rock, called madrepora, also the spongia, flustra, 

 tubularia, sertularia, encrinus, &c. have rays of similar 

 numbers. 



Throughout Cuvier's whole vertebral division, five is the 

 leading number. For example we have five fingers to the 

 hand, and five toes to the foot, in common with most of the 

 mammalia. Hence our numbers five, twice five, (ten,) twen- 

 ty limes five, (one hundred,) &c. We have five principles, 

 constituting the highest order of vprtebral animals, man — 

 to wit. 1, inei-t matter^ 2, the attractive principle^ 3, the 

 livins^ principle, 4, the sentient principle, 5, the intellectual 

 prinrAple. In proof of this we observe them disappearing in 

 an inverted order at death. I will state a case, which has 

 recently passed under my immediate inspection. 



A near and dear relative died of the pulmonary consump- 

 tion. His intellectual faculties were never more brilliant, 

 than at 11 o'clock in the evening of Nov. 13th, (1828.) In 



