304 
FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS. 
when externally applied as a styptic, from its structure it 
will not act mechanically to the same extent as it does. 
New Speculations respecting Matter. —It is con¬ 
ceivable, says Professor Graham, that the various kinds of 
matter now regarded as elementary substances may possess 
one and the same molecules in different conditions of move¬ 
ment. The essential unity of matter is an hypothesis in 
harmony with the uniform action of the gravity of bodies. 
We may imagine one substance only to exist, viz., ponderable 
matter, and that this is divisible into ultimate atoms, uniform 
in size and weight; if these atoms were at rest, the unifor¬ 
mity of matter would be perfect. But they always possess 
more or less motion due to some original primordial impulse ; 
this motion gives rise to volume, and the more rapid the motion 
the greater the space occupied by the atom. Thus matter of 
different density forms different substances that are usually 
regarded as different incontrovertible elements; and this 
hypothesis may be pursued through the various phases of 
combination, the different states of solid, liquid, and gas, and 
the colloid and crystalline forms of matter. 
A renewed attempt has been made to plant the Cinchona, 
from which quinine is obtained, at Trinidad. It has been 
planted at a height of 2800 feet above the level of the sea. 
The soil is of the richest description. 
Effects of New Oats. —From time immemorial (says 
the Salut Public of Lyons) it has been generally admitted 
that new oats are not given for food until two months in 
store. This would be of no great importance if the previous 
year’s oats were always to be had in sufficient quantity, but 
when scarce there is a difficulty in finding food for horses. 
Experiments just made by order of the Minister of War have 
proved that new oats are not more dangerous to animals than 
new hay; both are, on the contrary, sweeter and more stimu¬ 
lant. It is for the latter reason alone, and to avoid indigestion 
and irritation, that it is thought advisable to mix the new 
corn with a moderate quantity of old. 
