twelve hours. He describes its operations as rapid and certain in their effect, as conveniently arranged, as not liable to get out of order, and easily understood and managed by ordinary workmen.

Reaping machine.-It is somewhat extraordinary, that in the opinion of the best English agriculturalists, the most useful and expeditious machine for reaping is one which was used by the ancient Gauls. It is thus described by Palladius Omilianus.

"In that part of Gaul were there are plains, the inhabitants have a method of reaping, which greatly economizes the labour of men, and by which a single ox can get in all the harvest.-For this purpose they make use of a machine drawn upon two small wheels, the square surface of which is furnished with inclining planks outward in such a manner that they render the upper part much larger than the lower. The plank in front is not so high as the others. On this board are placed in one row, a number of teeth, the distance of which is regulated by the size of the car, and of which the upper extremities are secured.

"At the back of this car are two short pieces of wood like the poles of a litter. An ox is here harnessed with his head turned towards the car sufficiently broken in to obey the driver.

"As soon as the latter directs the carriage amongst the corn; the ears become entangled between the teeth, and are collected in the receptacle, being separated from the straw, which remains upon the field. The driver who follows the ox, regulates the degree of elevation of the machine according to the height of the wheat. In this manner, in a few hours by going and returning a few times, the harvest is soon finished."

Mr. Dow, Boston, has a machine invented and constructed by himself and Mr. Treadwell, for cutting and finishing wood screws. The only manual labour required is that of coiling the wire, from which the screws are to be made, upon a reel and applying one end to the machine. The machine, which may be driven by water, steam, or a horse power, will then continue to supply itself until the whole of the wire which may be of any indefinite length, shall be converted into complete and highly finished screws. The wire is cut and headed, the thread of the screw cut, the head grooved and polished, and the finished screw delivered

simply by the operation of the machine-ten of these screws are thus made in a minute.-Many ingenious and accomplished artists and mechanics have examined it thoroughly and given ample testimony to the merits of it.

PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED INSTITUTIONS.

The New York Historical Society, at their meeting 11th ult. with the view of extending the utility of the New York Institution, resolved to establish lectureships on zoology and geology-botany and vegetable physiology-mineralogy-chemistry and natural philosophy, and the following gentlemen were appointed lecturers.

Samuel L. Mitchell, M. D. on zoology and geology.

David Hosack,

George Gibbs,

John Griscom,

M. D.

botany and vegetable physiology.
mineralogy.

chemistry and natural philosophy.

A committee was directed to make a report on the best means of promoting the study of zoology. The first object being the formation of a cabinet, they have suggested some of the leading subjects of inquiry to those who may feel disposed to promote their laudable views.

From the class of Polypes, inhabiting the depths of the ocean, are derived the productions called Zoophytes and Lithophytes. Every article belonging to the Gorgonias and Corals, to the Madrepores and Flustras,, and to each of the kindred families, is worthy of a place in the museum.

The Radiary animals furnish productions no less interesting. In particular, the Asterias with its constellation of sea-stars, and the Echinus with its brood of sea urchins, will furnish many species, easy to be gathered, transmitted and preserved.

So little has hitherto been done in relation to our insects, that almost the whole field of ENTOMOLOGY remains to be cultivated. In an effort to form a collection of these numerous swarms, all hands may be employed. There being no particular difficulty either in procuring or preserving these creatures, it may be expected, that in a few years, all the larger animals of this class may be possessed by the society and disposed according to the most approved of the modern systems.

The Crustaceous class will also furnish specimens, easy to be preserved and transported. From the extensive families of Crabs, Lobsters, and their congeners, a becoming diligence will gather abundant supplies.

Molluscous animals make important and elegent contributions to naturalists. Their univalve, bivalve, and multivalve shells, commonly survive their authors. Their arrangement into genera, and species, forms

the science of CONCHOLOGY. It recommended that early and persevering pains be bestowed upon this subject, and that these beautiful productions be methodized after the most excellent of the plans that have been proposed.

Considering the facility with which fishes may be preserved, by drying their half skins on a board, it is desirable that at least all new species should be brought forward for examination and description. Important additions may thus be made to our ICHTHYOLOGY. To a people, who already consider their FISHERIES of the utmost importance, both to the States and to the nation, no additional recommendation is necessary, further than to ask of our fellow-citizens all manner of communications.

Among the amphibious orders, tortoises, frogs, serpents, and lizards, are so easily preserved, that individuals of these kinds are solicited from such persons as feel a generous ardour to favour the views of the Society.

Contributions toward the history of the Mammalia, may be expected, from the fur merchants, furriers, and hunters. Almost every thing, known under the titles of FURS and PELTRIES, passes through our city, or is contained within it. By application to the proper sources of intelligence, there is a confident expectation of a rich return of all the matters comprised in their respective provinces. It is not generally understood, what extensive and important knowledge, on these subjects is in store within a great city, ready to be imparted to those who seek it.

Anatomy is the basis of improved Zoology. The classification of animals is founded upon their organization. This can be ascertained only by dissection. The use of the knife is recommended for the purpose of acquiring an acquaintance with the structure of animals. It is proposed, that the members avail themselves of all opportunities to cultivate COMPARATIVE ANATOMY, and to communicate the result of their labours and researches to the Society. There is, perhaps, no department of the science more replete with novelty and instruction, and with the means of conferring wide and lasting reputation to those who skilfully engage in it.

Be

To exhibit and perpetuate the researches of the gentlemen who undertake the arduous task of anatomical examination, the accomplishment of SKETCHING and DRAWING is an indispensable qualification. yond the representation of internal appearances, whether healthy or morbid, this art applies to all outward forms that stand in need of delineation. It is recommended to the members to procure plates and pictures of natural objects, and bring them for safe keeping and popular utility, to be placed in the port folios of the Society.

There would be an inexcusable omission in passing over unnoticed, the VETERINARY ART or PROFESSION. The diseases of domestic animals are deeply and intimately connected with the property and comfort of man. Every thing that can illustrate or cure the distempers of sheep, neat cattle, horses, swine, dogs, poultry, and of quadrupeds and birds generally, will be highly acceptable. This valuable branch of knowledge, known by the name of Epizootic, deserves more particular cultivation than it has hitherto received among us.

Books on the various branches of Natural History, are eminently desirable. They will constitute the Library which the Society intends to form. There can be no doubt that many important volumes, from Aristotle up to Lamarck, might be collected from their scattered sources, if proper pains were taken. It is recommended, that every exertion be made to effectuate this object. Proprietors and authors may be frequently found, willing to be liberal, as soon as they are satisfied that a worthy occasion presents.

FOSSILS ought to be collected with particular care. The organic remains of vegetables and animals, imbedded in stone, or buried in the other strata of the earth, are frequent in our region. Some of them resemble living species; while others are not known, at present, to be inhabitants of this globe. From the Ocean to the Lakes, they present themselves to the eye of the Geologist. Let them be gathered into one body. Let the Mastodons, Crocodiles, Encrinites, Pectinites, Ammonites, Belemnites, and other reliques of the extinct races, be assembled and classed: and then let the philosopher survey the whole, and draw wise and pious conclusions. The city of New York may be considered as a centre surrounded by wonders of this sort; and the great Lakes, with their tributary streams, exhibit testimonials no less surprising and characteristic.

Zoological research is promoted in several ways by foreign commerce. Living animals are frequently imported; and these, whenever, circumstances are favourable, ought to be examined, and if necessary to be described and figured. Cargoes, and even ballast, often contain excellent specimens, both of the animal and fossil kind. Peculiar creatures are known to inhabit the outer bottoms of vessels, where they may be seen before they are disturbed for the purpose of cleaning and repairing. Sometimes too, fishes, not usually visitors of our harbour, follow the tracks of ships from the ocean, and offer themselves to the curiosity of the Naturalist. All these sources of knowledge deserve to be carefully explored.

Remarks on the more elaborate and expensive preparations of Zoology, are reserved for a future report. In the meantime, it is supposed the

matters herein suggested, will, for a season, occupy all the industry of the members and their friends.

The Committee close, with an earnest recommendation to the study of MAN. The migrations of human beings from Tartary, Scandinavia, and Polynesia, to the north-western, north-eastern, and south-western regions of America, merit extraordinary attention. There is nothing extravagant in the belief, that colonies, or bands of adventurers by way of the Aleutian Islands, the shores of Greenland, and the Pacific Ocean, penetrated our Continent at an early day; and that their descendants settled, by bloodshed and exterminating wars, their respective claims to the country situated south of the middle Lakes, four or five hundred years before the voyage of Columbus.

The Medical Society of Philadelphia desirous of promoting, by experiment, the cultivation of Medicine, offer as a premium, A GOLD MEDAL, of the value of one hundred dollars, for such a dissertation as they may approve, to any one of the questions annexed.

1st. The Nutrition of the foetus in utero, and the mutual relations which subsist between it and the mother.

2d. On the process which nature employs in the re-union of divided parts.

3d. The influence of the Brain on the functions of respiration-the circulation and animal heat.

4th. On the best means of resuscitation in cases of suspended animation from drowning-from the irrespirable gases or from other causes.

Each dissertation shall be transmitted to the corresponding secretary of the Society, (Dr. John Barnes, No. 275 North Second street) on or before the 1st of January 1818, having on it some motto as a mark of designation, with a letter enclosed containing the name and address of the author. All dissertations, the successful one excepted, will be returned, if desired with the accompanying letter unopened.

DOMESTIC ECONOMY.

On the loss of weight which takes place in the cooking of meat, both boiled and roasted.

IN whatever way the flesh of animals is cooked as an article of food, a considerable diminution takes place in its weight. It is singular, that no experiments have been made for the benefit of the public on this subject, for it is evident they would be of