of aromatic plants seems to be much stronger here than in the Low-Lands. Of wild cherries and strawberries there is great redundance. The banks of the river are infested by different species of snakes, particularly, the black', rattle2 and copper-head snake3. OF THE SOIL. The surface of the district of Washington is beautifully irregular and diversified; in some parts level, in others undulated or hilly, and intersected by deep vallies. The soil is so various that it is not easy to give an exact idea of its composition. On the level banks of the Potomac there is a deep alluvion formed by the depositions of this river, and containing fragments of primitive mountains, pyrites, gravel and sand, shells, and the remains of vegetable substances. In digging wells, at the city of Washington, trees, in a sound state, have been discovered at different depths, from six to forty-eight feet, near the New-Jersey avenue, and also at the place called the Twenty Buildings. The surface of the wood is of a deep black colour, owing, as has been conjectured, to the action of the sulphuric acid of decomposed pyrites. The Senator Volney1 notices a stratum of black mud, interspersed with wood, thrown up from the depth of eighteen feet from a well made by Mr. Law. Near Bladensburg, there is an extensive vein of carbonated wood. The stone of which the public buildings are constructed is found to inclose leaves of trees and ligneous fragments; and it undergoes a considerable contraction by exposure to the atmosphere. A large tree, with its roots entire, was lately thrown up near the Seven Buildings, and another of the same description in forming the canal. Mr. Godon, in his "Observations to serve for the mineralogical map of the State of Maryland," observes, that Rock Creek separates the primitive from the alluvial soil. In the former gneiss abounds, which is succeeded by the amphibolic rock, or grunstein. The gneiss contains small crystallised cubes 'Tableau du Climat et du Sol des Etats-Unis d'Amé rique, 2 vol, in 8vo. 1803. of magnetic iron, veins of feldspath and quartz of an opaque white colour. The rock of the Great Falls of the Potomac consists chiefly of micaceous schist-mica schistoide of Hauy, or glimmer schiefer of the Germans; and contains grains of iron which attract the magnetic needle. The stone, with which the basons of the Potomac canal are lined, is a species of sandstone (grès) similar to that known by the name of grès des houillières. The rock employed to form the foundation, or base of the houses of Washington, is a species of gneiss, composed of feldspath, quartz and mica, of a leafy texture, owing to the abundance and disposition of the mica. It contains primitive sulphurous iron, and also particles of the same metal, which are attracted by the needle. At Fort-Washington, now Fort-Warburton, there is a ferruginous clay, known by the name of bol, which is employed to dye cloth and thread of a reddish colour. This substance, when heated, attracts the magnetic needle. The moulds of petrified shells of the genus * Sandstone of Coalbeds. 1 arca, weighing several pounds, have been lately dug up at this place. The following is the temperature of the Potomac river and of springs in the district of Washington, taken in the month of July, 1811. ❤ 85 Fahr. Water of the Potomac river • 62 His well, at the depth of 73 feet, 57 OF THE CLIMATE AND DISEASES. It is a prevailing opinion throughout the United States, that the climate of the district of Washington is unhealthy; but this opinion is formed on prejudice, for it is certain, that in no season is it visited by habitual or endemical disease. The best proof of the salubrity of a place is the longevity of its inhabitants; and we recollect to have seen several natives, always residents of this district, whose features and general appearance indicated a very advanced age. Mr. Blodget has, we know not from what data, estimated the annual deaths, in Washington city, at 1 of 48 to 50 persons; in New-York, at 1 of 44 to 50; at Baltimore, 1 of 43 to 49; at Charleston, 1 of 35 to 40: from which it results, that of all these places Washington is the healthiest; and in this respect it has evidently an advantage over the great cities of Europe, where the annual deaths are as one to 23, and in towns as 1 to 28. In a new city where there is a constant influx of inhabitants, it is difficult to keep such registers of deaths as would be necessary to ascertain with precision the mean term of human life. It may be observed, that during autumn, bilious fever sometimes prevails, but, at this season, it is common to other parts of the United States. In winter, chronical diseases of ten occur, occasioned by the sudden changes of weather, which check perspiration; but these are not confined to this city. The rays of the sun reflected from a sandy surface with increased heat, have an injurious effect upon health; but in other places, with a similar soil and situation, this evil is also felt. In July, the heat is often oppressive. On the 4th of this month, the anniversary of Ame B |