culates the effects of several grist and saw mills, in order to know what quantity of water must be thrown into the penstock in a given time; and calculations for this purpose are inserted.

Observations for determining the Latitude and Longitude of the Town of Natchez. By Andrew Ellicott, Esq.-These observations are merely registered and arranged.

Description of a Speedy Elevator. By the Inventor, Nicholas Collin, D.D. With two Drawings from a Model, representing it folded and wound up.This is certainly a very ingenious machine. Four parts shut, one within the other: each part (except the most interior) consists of two rectangular parallelopipeds joined by three pairs of ribs; and by a very simple contrivance, all the parts are raised from their sockets at the same time, and with the same velocity. The chief advantage of this contrivance is the circumstance of its being easily portable: otherwise, a machine consisting of two pieces would answer all the purposes for which it is intended; and an increase of velocity of ascent of the shaft might easily be procured, by altering the windlass. It is, however, fair to state its advantages. as described by its inventor:

This machine combines these advantages:-Ready approach to heights otherwise not accessible without great trouble; speedy ascent and descent; convenient folding for keeping under cover, and for easy conveyance. It can be applied to several useful purposes:Quick hoisting and lowering of things on many occasions, particurarly saving of goods from upper stories in cases of incend; high elevation and speedy exchange of signals; these being light may be raised three hundred feet, and above interjacent hills; elevation of a person for taking views, and quick descent when required; as recon. noitring an enemy within shot: a machine calculated for lifting him at least one hundred feet by eight men can be light enough for carry. ing on a waggon by two horses.'

For this invention, Dr. C. was honoured with the Magil- R.W lanian gold medal.'

A Disquisition on Wool bearing Animals. By Dr. James Anderson, of North Britain.-The 8th volume of the Bath Society's Papers contains a memoir by Dr. Anderson on the subject of wool-bearing animals; which, by the letter of the Secretary, dated Feb. 25, 1795, appears to have been written subsequently to this Disquisition, and to have been enlarged with additional remarks. In the present paper, after having laid down the doctrine of the influence of breed over-ruling that of climate, two general facts are stated: 1st, That the sheep is not necessarily a wool-bearing animal, and that there are only certain breeds of it which can be thus distinguished. 2dly, That there are other animals, some breeds of which carry wool, or

at

at least fleeces which admit of being shorn like the wool of sheep, and of being applied to the same purposes in arts. The practical inference is, that the different breeds of animals preserve in general their distinguishing peculiarities, when the race is not contaminated by an intermixture with others; and that it is a matter of great economical concern, to propagate as many of the wool-bearing breeds of animals as it may be possible to procure, in preference to those of the short-haired kind.

To this paper is added a kind of postscript, containing a later communication by the author on the same subject; with a sample taken from the fleece of a sheep brought from Jamaica to England: which he adduces as a farther proof of the influence of breed over climate.

Memoir on the Subject of a new Plant, growing in Pennsylvania, particularly in the Vicinity of Philadelphia. By Mr. Beauvois.This plant, which is said to have been noticed by Mr. Muhlenberg under the name of Ixia, and sent to England to Mr. Smith (probably Dr. Smith, the President of the Linnæan Society) by the name of Bartonia clandestina, is placed by Mr. Beauvois in the class of Pontederia, and is new christened Heter randra reniformis; on account of its having two different kinds of stamina.-A botanical description is added.

Supplementum Indicis Flore Lancastriensis. Auctore Henrico Muhlenberg. This paper is merely a list of the names of plants, arranged according to the different classes.

An Account of a Kettle for boiling Inflammable Fluids. In a Letter from Thomas Smith to Robert Patterson.-In order to prevent accidents from the boiling over of inflammable fluids, it is here recommended to insert a long open spout in the brim of the kettle, and to apply wet sponges or rags to the bottom. It does not, however, appear that the utility of this invention has been sufficiently ascertained by experiment.

Memoir on the Sand-hills of Cope Henry in Virginia. By B. Henry Latrobe, Engineer.-Also a Supplemental Paper.- Some geogenists make fire, and others water, the principal agent in the formation of the globe, or at least of its present surface: but Mr. Latrobe contends that another element, the wind, has, in certain districts, no inconsiderable share in the operation. The whole of the extensive country of Virginia, from the Falls to the ocean, is evidently factitious; and it is supposed to be generated by the operation of the wind on the fine sand of which the shore, and the bed of the Atlantic near the shore, consist. The daily action of the flood-tide conveys a certain quantity of this sind above high-water mark; and this, being dried by the sun

21

and

and air, is carried farther in-land by the wind. The present state of the sand-hills of Cape Henry, and the fossils obtained in digging wells, may be thought completely to justify this hypothesis. Should these sand-hills advance by the accumulation of sand blown from the shore, and at last swallow up the neighbouring swamp; and should some future philosopher attend the digging of a well an hundred feet deep, at the bottom of which, vegetable and animal exuvia would be discovered; he might, observes Mr. Latrobe, adduce these facts in support of the theory of a deluge sweeping the sand of the upper country, and depositing it along the line of its conflict with the waves of the ocean: when, perhaps, in reality, the stratum of sand was not left by the water, but formed by the action of the

wind.

The Supplemental Paper contains Notices communicated by Dr. Barton in proof of the recess of the sea.

Account of Crystallized Basaltes found in Pennsylvania. By Thomas P.Smith.-Basaltes are found on the Conewaga hills in great quantities, both crystallized and amorphous. The crystals are generally tetraedal, and of a very fine grain. Mr. S. is of opinion that these basaltes have a Neptunian origin, since they are interspersed with large masses of brechia composed of siliceous pebbles evidently rounded by friction, imbedded in red free-stone.

Philological Views of some very ancient Words in several Languages. By the Rev. Nicholas Collin, D. D. Rector of the Swedish Churches in Pennsylvania.-This ingenious and elaborate dissertation is replete with matter for the amusement of the etymologist and the philosopher. Dr. Collin makes the following general remarks:

6

To trace the early rudiments of languages is important in several respects:-Words made for new objects prove the previous want of them.-If their etymology can be ascertained, it shews the relation of these objects with other previous things.-The similarity and diversity of primitive terms point out the early distinctions of tribes; and guard against the historical errors, so common, of tracing whole nations from the same stock, by whatever similarity of languages, without discriminating what results from the mingling of different flocks. Among the great part of mankind, that has neither writings, nor other monuments, a contemplation of their languages will yet discover many things otherwise inscrutable.-Nations that have authentic ancient records, and other monuments, will yet derive knowledge of greater antiquity from a critical study of their language, because their ancestors spoke on many things before they could write history, compose fables, or form any significant and lasting specimens of arts. Though languages change from various causes, and sometimes from whim, yet mankind in general do not make sudden and great

great alterations: old words will for a long period retain their essen-
tial features; and when dismissed from general use, remain for aget
in local districts, or among the simple classes of society: when finally
lost, they often leave kindred words behind, that convey at least a
part of their signification.' The classical languages are edifices,
whose ground-works were laid in a wilderness, on materials brought
from diverse quarries of barbarous tongues: the roots of many classic
words may therefore grow in Tartary and Ethiopia; many etymons
and coæval words may be found in the ancient European languages,
and even in their modern descendants. The classics therefore do not
merit the excessive praise for antiquity, so generally bestowed on
them (especially on the Hebrew); but they are very valuable for their
ample writings, by which their affinities with each other, and with
many other languages can be known: the Greek, as both copious
and ancient, is of particular importance.' Those European lan
guages which are commonly considered as entirely derived from others,
will be found, on closer inspection, to possess words that are not found
in these, and also roots of corresponding words in them. Thus the
whole of the English cannot be accounted for from the Anglo-Saxon,
Danish, Norman, French, and British: the French, Italian, Spa-
nish, and Portuguese have relations beyond the wide circle of Latin,
Teutonic, and Gothic, Greck, Hebrew, Celtic, and Arabian.'

After having premised these general observations, the author
proceeds to illustrate them by considering, 1st, what knowlege
is to be obtained from existing words, respecting the early State
of Mankind; and, 2dly, respecting the early Condition of the
Earth, Animals and Vegetables.

We have not space for Dr. Collin's learned and numerous
illustrations of his hypothesis relative to the light which is
to be derived from comparing the families of words: but we
shall insert his brief general view of the subject:

Languages are widely scattered and jumbled fragments of a mir-
tor, which, when skilfully joined and polished, will present instructive
pictures of men and things in pristine times.
True philology is
therefore so far from being a mere amusement, as to deserve the ap-
plication of individual talents, and the cherishing care of nations.'
Several parts of this paper evince that the author is an amiable
man; and the whole certainly manifests much deep research
and profound disquisition.

Here we are now to close our concise view of this very bulky publication; and if we were to speak generally of its value and importance, we confess that we should say that they are not commensurate with its size. We would offer to our American Gr.2. brethren the advice which has frequently been addressed to European societies; viz. to exemplify a greater degree of selec tion in the choice of their materials, and an anxiety to produce a good volume of transactions rather than a large one.

Moy

See p.251.

Ακτ.

ART. IV. An Inquiry into the antient Greek Game, supposed to have been invented by Palamedes, antecedent to the Siege of Troy; with Reasons for believing the same to have been known from remote Antiquity in China, and progressively improved into the Chinese, Indian, Persian, and European Chess. Also, Two Dissertations: I. On the Athenian Skirophoria. II. On the Mystical Meaning of the Bough and Umbrella, in the Skiran Rites. 4to. pp. 190. 14s. Boards. Becket. 1801.

A CAREFUL investigation of the customs and institutions of the Antients, however it may be derided by some persons, is attended with many beneficial effects to the cause of litera ture since, while it gratifies a laudable curiosity, it serves in the mean time to elucidate and unfold many collateral doubts and difficulties; opens a variety of new sources of information; and answers the important purpose either of removing illiberal prejudice, or introducing a greater certainty and more intimate knowlege of the truth.

Though the subject of the present Inquiry may at first appear trivial, the author will be found deserving of no slight commendation for the ingenuity and learning which he has displayed, and for the curious and able disquisitions which he has here presented to the public. He shews himself throughout to be possessed of no common share of clas sical knowlege, and to have a peculiarly happy talent for that species of criticism which forms the basis of this work. He modestly withholds his name from the title-page: but we learn that the volume is the production of Mr. Christie, junior, son of the well-known Mr. C. of Pall Mall; and it reflects equal credit on the parent who has given so good an education to his son, and on the son who has made so good an use of it.

The chief matter proposed to be elucidated in this Inquiry is the origin of the antient and well-known game of chess; whether it be more natural to conceive the game to have been invented by an effort of the mind of one person, and devised, formed, and perfected at one instant of time; or whether it may not be considered probable that some rude materials existed, which, falling into the hands of ingenious and able workmen, at different periods, were variously fashioned by them, and united at last in the elegant structure of the modern game.

In order to ascertain the truth of this point, the author enters on his subject with a discussion of the Greek games, the TETTA and Tρiodion, or game of merrils; and he combats, with much ingenuity, an opinion sanctioned by Sophocles and Euripides, that Palamedes was the inventor of the TETTE. He next passes to the consideration of the Ludus Latrunculorum of the Romans;