Inefficiency of the Cathartic Powers of Rhubarbarine. 33 



No fossil remains of the Elephant, that have come to my 

 knowledge, have been found so far north in our country as 

 the one now under consideration, although that circum- 

 stance may be supposed to add but little to the interest of 

 the specimen. Yet it might lead to very important discus- 

 sions, should more remains of the Elephant or other animals 

 of Siberia be found in greater abundance, and still farther to 

 the north and west upon our continent. The consequences 

 of such discoveries would be to force upon us disquisitions 

 into which it is not my intention at present to enter. 

 Yours very truly, 



Jer : Van Rensselaer. 



Prof. Silliman. 



P. S. — Perhaps you are not aware that the fossil remains 

 of a mastodon giganteum were discovered last autumn, 

 by the workmen, while digging the Delaware and Hudson 

 Canal. A considerable portion of the skeleton has arrived 

 in this city, and I have enjoyed an opportunity of examining 

 it. The bones which I saw, are in good preservation, and 

 seem to justify the wishes of the proprietors to set up the 

 entire skeleton. The teeth are in perfect order. One of 

 the tusks has arrived ; it is a beautiful and perfect specimen, 

 nine feet long. When the other parts of the animal are 

 brought to this city, I shall offer you a more detailed ac- 

 count. J. V. R. 



Art. VII. — Observations on the Inefficiency of the Cathar- 

 tic powers of Rhubarbarine, with some Remarks on the 

 different varieties of Rhubarb ; by George W. Carpen- 

 ter, of Philadelphia. 



There is, perhaps, no maxim more generally admitted than 

 that " there is no rule without an exception." Even among 

 the useful discoveries, and important researches in the vari- 

 ous departments of Arts, Science, and manufactures, there 

 is occasionally found one, which (either from being overrated 

 by too hasty a conclusion, or defective from difficulties in 

 manufacture or construction,) fails to support the characters 

 and properties assigned to it either by its inventor, or discov- 

 erer, or by those, who may have described it. When an in- 

 stance is known to exist under these circumstances, any one 

 acquainted with the fact, from ample proof, or careful ex- 



Vol. XIV.— No. 1. 5 



