SCIENTIFIC NEWS. 
287 
form a complete abstract of the science of chemistry. Upon 
this I would remark that tabulated results, in every science, 
form the most useful compendiums as well from the relations 
of things exhibited by their orderly arrangement, as from the 
facility with which every required fact can be recurred to. 
Tables not only shew the fulness of a science but its defects and 
wants ; and from this last advantage the departments open for 
new researches are clearly seen. From the labours of this 
author, added to what has been done and is doing by Dr. 
Thomson, we are intitled to expect great benefits in the acqui- 
ition and cultivation of chemical knowledge. 
Dr. Smith and Mr. Sowerby have determined to finish 
their celebrated work te English Botany,” by a general 
index to the 3 6 volumes, which will be completed on the first 
of January, 1814. It is intended to arrange the names of the 
English plants contained in that work, which will amount to 
nearly 2000, in one part alphabetically, and in another part 
according to the Linnean system, with such improvements as 
have been received during its publication. When English 
botany is completed, Mr. Sowerby hopes to be able to comply 
with the wishes of his numerous friends, in publishing his 
te Mineral Conchology” every month. The British and Entic 
mineralogy will, in all probability, be finished, in the course of 
the next year. 
The learned author of the Theory of the Tides, which was 
concluded in this number, has favoured me w\th the following 
note : 
“ I believe it is not commonly known? that the compass is 
cursorily mentioned as a familiar illustration by Dante, who 
wrote about the time at which it is supposed to have been in- 
troduced, Parad. Cant. 12. 
Si 
