180 Miscellanies. 



beauty of texture that of linen, which it is doubtless destined wholly 

 to supersede, as the culture of it requires much less labor and ex- 

 pense than flax, and does not, like that and similar materials, require 

 to be renewed annually, (being a perennial,) and the preparation of 

 it for manufacturing being far more simple than either ; and its great 

 natural affinity for coloring matters, and its requiring no bleaching^ 

 being objects of the highest importance, give it a very decided pre- 

 ference over that manufacture. A kw specimens of the manufac- 

 ture of this material into small fancy articles have been produced, 

 some of which being colored of varied tints present such a beautiful 

 silk-like appearance as to have been actually, in some instances, mis- 

 taken for it ; over which, however, it possesses this decided advan- 

 tage, that it not only sustains the action of water uninjured and un- 

 defaced, (which it is well known silk will not do,) but the repeated 

 action of water rather appears to strengthen and beautify it. It is 

 ascertained to be the opinion at Lowell, where they have offered to 

 make the experiment, that it can be spun upon machinery. 



And while it offers to other branches of manufacture very impor- 

 tant substitutes for those substances hitherto used, it offers a material 

 very superior, in many points, for paper. It is believed, from some 

 specimens already produced, that paper of every description may be 

 manufactured from it, possessing a pearly whiteness, durability, beau- 

 ty of texture, and smoothness of surface, unrivalled by any other 

 ever before manufactured in any country. And it is susceptible of 

 the most brilliant colors, in grain or otherwise. This is believed to 

 be the first material of the kind ever before discovered in this coun- 

 try, that holds out the prospect of a staple commodity, silk, linen 

 and cotton being exotics, and the discoveries of course exotic ; but 

 this material is indigenous, is a native of this country, discovered by 

 a native citizen, one of her own daughters, which circumstances, to- 

 gether with its intrinsic worth, seem peculiarly to enhance its value 

 to us. It is open to any one who may wish to make experiments. 



19. JVotice of the United States Medical and SurgicalJournal. — 

 In the publisher of this work we recognize the former editor of the 

 Medical Recorder, published some years since in Philadelphia, and 

 one of the best medical periodicals that have been published in this 

 country. We observe, also, that he has in this, the first number of 

 the present work, proposed a premium for the best essay on a par- 

 ticular subject. This plan was first adopted, with respect to a med- 



