i} 
- 
44d 
desideranovict, place the 2ecent five or fix 
fyllables trom the end of the word; fhall 
we on this account affirm, that their mode 
of accentuation is irrational? ~ By no 
means : for every language is in itfelf ar- 
bitrary, and, in fome degree, different 
from another ; and theoretical deductions 
will often be found luperfeded by prac- 
tice. 
Ravenfionedale, 
May 1, 1800. 
JOHN ROBINSON. 
—— a , 
To the: Editor-of the Monthly Magazine. 
SIR, F 
HE following may be, I truft, con- 
fidered as fatisfactory anfwers to A, 
B.C.’s Queries, in the Monthly Maga- 
zine for March 1800, 
_The earwig (forjficula), is falfely ac- 
cufed of injuring mankind by entering 
the ear; but which, in fact, it has neither 
~the power nor inclination to perferate. 
‘The gardeners, however, have room for 
complaint, and therefore the idea has been 
fiudioufly encouraged ; they are wonder- 
fully numerous, and are found among all 
- flowers, which they deftroy, and feize and 
devour fruits which others have begun 
and left. 
The ufe of the wax, which nature has 
fupplied the ear with, is to defend that 
ergan from cold; and .to deftroy and pre- 
vent the further paflage of any infects, 
that may accidentally or otherwife have 
entered it. An anfwer to his laft Query 
is given in that of his firft; for as neither 
the annals of hiftory, report, nor tra- 
dition, furnifh us with any one inftance of - 
the earwig having entered, no perfon has 
thought it worth their labour, to ftudy the 
means of extracting or enticing it froma 
fituation it has never been known to 
pofiefs. ‘ 
eat T am, Sir, your’s, &c. 
Hatfield, Heris. ENTOLOGUs, 
The Editor begs leave to obferve upon this 
letter, that other correfpondents affert, that 
the earwig has atually been known, in fe- 
veral inflances, to enter the internal cavity 
of the ear, and occafion much pain, which 
is rendered prabable by its propenfity to in- 
finuate itfelf into all narrow pafiages or ori- 
fices. A corref{pondent fuppofes, that dropping 
in the effential oi] of wormwood, or any other 
mild eflential oil, would deftroy the infeét, 
which would then putrify and come out with 
the wax, We believe, that pouring in olive 
oii enough to fill the cavity, would preduce 
the fame effect, and with perfeét eafe and 
iafety, 
z 
Earwig—Water-manure. 
[June 1, 
. Io the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.’ 
SIR, cited 
N pafling two years ago through » 
fome of the cantons of Swifferland, 
I was ftruck with a Gngular mode of ap- 
plying manure, whichis common in that 
country. All the animal and vegetable 
matter, fuch as the cleanings of ftables, 
warehoules, &c. together with boughs and 
Jeaves of trees, weeds, ftubble, &c. that 
can be collected from different parts of a 
farm, are brought together in the fold- 
yard. They are there heaped one upon 
another and kept conftantly wet, the dif- 
ferent parts being from time to time ex- . 
pofed to the air, till the whoie mats is 
decompofed. The water flowing from it 
is then tranfported to the field; either in 
machines fimilar to our water carts, or in 
tubs, where it is fprinkled over the land; 
and its effects are faid to be much more 
rapid, and equally permanent, with the 
common method of applying manure. 
Water in the above ftate is charged 
with the different kinds of gaffes, fo ne- 
ceflary for vegetation ; and what is of more 
importance ftill, with carbonic matter, 
either in a ftate of foiution or fubtle mix- 
ture, nicely adapted therefore to be taken 
up by the tender veyetable fibre; and to 
this, I fuppofe, its fupertor fertilizing qua- 
lity muft be owing, fince carbon can pro- 
duce no. beneficial effeéts, but inafmuch 
as it is foluble in water. 
Exeter, April 23, 1800 
—s - 
To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 
SIR, 
“TW SHE purpofes ef a literary commu- 
nication are fo well anfwered hb 
confining it to the Monthly Magazine, 
that I am induced to requeft the favor of 
your inferting therein the following; 
In a Number of your Mifcellany, pub- 
lifhed fome time fince, one of your cor- 
refpondents has fuggefted a hint for‘a new 
law work ; and, with your permifhon, I 
purpofe to fubmit for confideration a few 
thoughts towards-another.—I think, that 
if -a periodical publication were to be 
brought out, and appropriated to legal 
fubjeéts, as the Medical Fournal is to 
another department of fcience; and to be 
open in like manner to all ufeful commu- 
nications, confiftent with its plan ; fuch 
a work could not tail in the hands of able 
conductors being confidered as an acqui- 
fition in literature, and meeting with a 
very general fupport, not merely. among 
profeffional men and regular ftudents, but 
alfo from others, 
The 
AGRICOLA. 
