90 Monthly Botanical Report. [Feb. 1, 
There is an important difference between the comseguence and the continuance of a diseases 
The poison of syphilis, may be utterly eradicated, and yet leave a greater susceptibility, than 
before existed to the action of other poisons or morbific influences. Rheumatism, for instance, 
in consequence of mercury, is too often regarded as a perpetuation or a renewed develope- 
ment of a clandestine malady. 
Ophthalmia is rarely a local disease. The eye, in its morbid, as well asin its healthy state, 
isan index merely of acertain condition of the constitution ; and is, of course, to be acted - 
upon effectually, only zhrovgh the constitution. 
A number of cases more distinctly marked, the Reporter has not had before an opportu- 
nity of observing, of zerwous fever, as discriminated by the late Dr. Currie, from the true 
typbus. He will, however, defer his remarks with regard to the treatment, until he becomesy 
by the event, better acquainted with its ultimate effect. 
Several patients have recently applied to the Reporter, the origin and continuance of whose 
complaints appeared to arise, if not principally, in part, from a protracted indulgence in the 
hours of repose. A_ species of intemperance, which is almost as debilitating, although not’ 
regarded as so ignominious, as excesses of different descriptions. 
Sleep, perturbed, is for the time, worse thandeath. Dreaming is delirium; and it leaves: 
the mind ina state of morbid vibration during our waking hours. In proportion as slumber 
is continued beyond its natural period, it must be imperfect and unrefreshing. Immioderate 
sleep is not merely a suspension of life, but a gradual destruction of it. Man has been des- 
tined to earn not only his bread, but his health likewise, by the sweat of his brow}; or by the 
persevering exercise of those’powers, which were not given him, for himself alone, and which 
cannot be preserved without a4 useful and vigorous application of them. Inaction is not rest 5 
recumbency is not repose. The luxury of indolence can be procured only through the medi- 
um of exertion. ) 
In one of the cases alluded to, the indisposition was in a great measure, but in tle Repor- 
ter’s opinion erroneously, attributed to the use of tea. A taste for tea, more especially in 
some constitutions, ought to be cultivated and patronized, rather than discouraged and con= 
demned. It has atendency to preclude the more prevalent, and certainly more mischievous 
and malignant passion, for vinous or spirituous stimulation. 
_ Many persons remarkable for longevity have been known regularly toindulge in the use of 
tea. It produces an artificialand merely temporary excitement. Butit is not an ordinary and 
vulgar intoxication. It is an intellectual and cloudless inebriety. ‘Tea excites the faculties 
without dimming their lustre. 
It removes the film from an eye that may have been obscured by grosser and more stupify- 
ing intemperance, and increases the susceptibility to the true refinement of social and sen- 
timental, or purely literary enjoyments 
Different is both the immediate and ultimate effect of alcohol in any of its various, bu€ 
perhaps almost equally cbnoxious modifications. . Whe 
By debauchery, the helplessness of infancy is brought almost in contact with the imbécility 
of age 5 so as to leave scarcely any interval for that period of manly maturity, of mental and 
corporeal vigour, which principally constitute the value, and exhibit the dignity of human 
nature. 
The sun of life, instead of compleating the convexity of its course, almost immediately afs 
ter the first shew ot its light, relapses beneath the verge of the horizon. ; 
Grenwille- street, Brunswick-square, January 26, 1808. Joun REIp, 
See 
MONTHLY BOTANICAL REPORT, 
N the last number of the Botanical Magazine, we find, 1. Drimia a/tissima, or Ornithogalum 
altissimum, of the Species Plant. O. gigantewm of Jacquin. It is strange that the last- 
mentioned author, who first constituted the genus Driiia, should have referred this species 
to Ornithogalam, from which genus Mr. Gawler observes it is as distinct in character and 
habit as any other species of Drimia. It is probably a new plant in this country ; it was ime 
ported from the Cape by Lee and Kennedy. 2. Hamanthus coccimeus. It is here remarked, 
that Hemanthus mu/riforus, betore published in the Botanical Magazine, might, perhaps 
with more propriety, lave been referred to Crinum; and, that H. punicens is a sort of intera 
mediate species. ‘This accords, in some measure, with the observation we ventured to make 
im a former report. Curculigo erchiides8 a genus established by Gertner from the fruit 
alone; which, according to Mr. Gawler’s observations, he seemed not to understand ; the 
singular anomalies, which he fancied he perceived, not having in reality any existence, the 
parts of fructification being in every respect analogous to those of other berry-bearing liliace- 
ous plants. It is a native of the Hast Indies. For the opportunity of giving the account of 
it here published, tie public are indebted to the Right Hon. Mr. Charles Greville’s collection 
at Paddington. - 4. Rosa lutea, B. bicolor. Dr. Sims agrees with most modern botanists in 
considering the two-coloured Austrian Rose as a mere variety of the lutea. It was known itt 
the English gardens as long ago as the time of Parkinson ; and, even on this account, we 
can 
