Retrospect of French Literature—Miscellaneous. 
% After the capture of the city, Ru- 
pilius, astonished at what had been told 
him of the inveterate ‘animosity of the 
slaves, wished that he himself might see 
and interrogate Coma, the butcher of 
Cleon, who had been prevented from 
either flying, or killing himself, relative 
to the character and talents of his 
brother, and of Eunus. But what can- 
not the memory of past injuries, and the 
fear of new suffering 3 effect, even among 
the most degraded beings! Coma, on 
being conducted before the Consul, re- 
phed to his questions as well as_ his 
threats, by tneans of a scornful smile 
alone. Having resolved to perish rather 
than satisfy the curiosity of the conqueror, 
he bent his hody, placed his head be- 
tween his thighs, retained his breath, and 
pressed his breast in such a manner, that 
in the course of a few moments he fell 
down at the feet of Rupilius, without mo- 
tion, and without life.” 
“ Essai historique et littéraive sur la 
Médecine des Arabes; parG. J. Amoreux, 
Médecin de Montpeliier, &c.”—An Histo- 
rical and Literary Essay, relative to; the 
State of Medicine among the Arabians; 
by G. J. AMoreux, a Physician of Mont- 
pelier, and Member of several learned 
Societies. 
M. Amoreux, in this octavo voluine, 
which bears the modest title of an 
<< Essay,” has sketched out the history 
not only of medicine, but also of the 
most famous medical men among the 
Arabians. The anthors of that nation, 
fill up the immense chasm that preceded 
the general revival of learning; forsciences 
and letters, protected by the Caliphs, 
flourished both in Spain and the East, at 
an epoch when Europe was still plunged 
in ignorance and barbarity. We are 
also furnished with several judicious hints 
and observations, relative to the Libraries 
still existing in those days, as well as the 
institutions “whether civil, religious, agri- 
cultural, or medical, for med by the Moors. 
“Flore de Bade et d’Alsace, etc, 
rangée suivant le Systéme de Linnéus, 
avec des Figures dessinées d’apreés Nature ; 
par M. Charles Christian Gmelin, Doc- 
teur en Médecine, &c. &c.”—The Flora 
of Baden and Alsace, arranged according 
to the Linnean System, with Figures de- 
signed after Nature, by M. Cuar.es 
Cueistian Gmetin, &c. 
This, which appears to be a work of 
great labour, has not yet been completed, 
Before he engaged in such a toilsome 
undertaking, M. Gmelin, we are told, 
visited the vallies, the woods, and the 
mountains of Baden, as well as these of 
Montury Mae. No, 159, 
687 
the adjoining territories. In addition to 
this, he consulted all the botanists of the 
neignbour hood, and he now ee their 
opiuoens with oratitude. Yn short, these 
volumes are the result of twenty-five 
years travels, study, and observation, in 
the course of which period, the author 
has caused to be transplanted into the 
electoral garden of plants, at Carlsruhe, 
all the rare indigenous. species which he 
had not hitherto an opportunity of exa- 
mining with attention, in order that be 
might remark the changes which culti- 
vation produces on them. In addition 
to all tmis, M. Gmelin, as a necessary 
preliminary to his botanical pursuits, 
travelled into Switzerland, the Southern 
parts of France, the mountains of the 
Pyrenees, the kimgdoms of Catalonia, 
Valentia, Murcia, Arragon, and the two 
Castilles, to satisfy his curiosity, and add 
to his ‘kn: »wledve. 
After the generic and individual: cha- 
racters, we are presented with the specific 
names, as weil as those unposed by celes 
brated Botanists, to which are added the 
Latin, French, German, English, and 
sometimes the Italian Nomenclature, A 
variety of particulars relative to the 
usual habitation of each plant, its dura- 
tion, its colvur, its time of flowering, its 
properties, and its virtues. whether it be 
of any service in pharmacy, in the arts, 
or ia rural economy, &c. are detailed. 
So attentive has he been, in fine, to ev ery 
thing relative to his subject, that we here 
find a list of the insects hurtful to certain 
descriptions of plants, and an account of 
the best methods of destroying such as are 
noxious to their growth and propagation. 
archive Chapeau de Paille, Poeme di- 
dactique de Marco Lastri, associé de 
Y Academie des Géorgophiles de Florence, 
et de plusieurs autres Academies.”—The 
Straw Bonnet, a Didactic Poem, by 
Marco Lastri, an Associate of the 
Georgophilian Society of Florence, and 
also of séveral other Academies. 
This is a translation from an Italian 
Didactic Poem of six hundred lines, de- 
nominated ‘ Il Capello di Pagilla,” in 
the original. In Florence, it has been 
the custom during many years past, for 
the ladies to cover their heads with a 
manufacture of this kind, which fashion 
has extended to London, Paris, and all 
the great Ciuiesand even Townsof Eur ‘ope. 
The following are the introductory 
lines to the French version: 
‘6 Jadis d’Ascra le chan:re harmonieux 
Fut le premier dont le talent utile 
Nous enscigna cet art ingénieux, 
Par qui Cybéle ouvre un séin plus fertile. 
: Mais 
