(as is the case in the specimen here figured) is so lax an appearance as hardly to be distinguishable from those of the former Mr. Andrews' Latin translation of "Native of Greece," is Habitat in Magna Græcia ;" and instead of describing the plant, he enters into a very complete description of the Convent of the Virgin of Amorgos, which, from some strange mistranslation, as we suppose, he compares to a Chest of Drawers !"

Proeta Abrotanifelia, minar. A handsome variety with trifurcated pointed leaves and small terminal head of flowers.

The last Number of the PARADISUS LONDINENSIS, a double one, having that of the preceding month united with it, contains Primula sedifolia, the P. or Aretia Vitaliana of other botanists, of which a very pleasing figure is given. If Decandolle had a right to take up this plant among his plantes grasses, Mr. Salisbury may be thought equally right in calling it sedifolia: but both these gentlemen seem to have been led astray by Father Gregory's stupidity, who sent the plant in question to Columella, as a new species of Sedum, to which not any one part of it has the smallest resemblance.

Erodendrum turbinifiorum. A singular nearly stemless Protea from Mr. Hibbert's collection. The bearded awns of the corollas, we are told, are frizzled into as impenetrable a fence, as the wigs of our bishops, and these (the floral wigs, we suppose) must effectually put a stop to any such adulterous intercourse as the late Peter Collinson reported to have taken place between the flowers of two apple-trees, in a letter read, by Dr. I. E. Smith, to the Linnean Society. Had such a comparison been introduced, either to illustrate the inflorescence of this plant, or even merely with a view of giving to foreign botanists an opportunity, through the medium of Mr. Hooker's figure, of becoming acquainted with a nondescript species of wigs, indigenous only to this country, we should not have blamed Mr. Salisbury even if he had incorporated it in the specific character of his plant; but we were sorry to find it only preparatory to another attack upon the President of the Linnean Society, who is informed, that after having publicly blamed Mr. S. for indecorous allusions, it would have been more consistent in him to suppress a passage of that nature! What a wretched apology for quarreling, and how unskilfully introduced!

Although to a certain class of readers, we doubt not but that it is amusing enough to find the dull sameness of botanical description now and then enlivened by these polemical episodes, we own that it excites in us a melancholy reflection, when two fellow labourers in the field of a science, generally supposed rather to harmonize than exasperate the mind, are seen to fill with squibe and abuse, the pages destined to convey to posterity the vast ais coveries they daily make, and thus to render the memory of their unhappy strife, as eternal as the works they compose !

The next figure, and one of the best we have seen, is Lachnæa buxifolia, which is here called L. glaucs. The disgression which Mr. Salisbury makes in the text to this plate, is far more to the purpose than that of the preceding; it is on the diversity of opinion among botanists, whether the flower in the natural order of the Thymelææ, should be styled calyx or corolla; his reasons are decidedly in favour of corolla.

Orchis bracteata, changed here into bractealit: The dissections, if we mistake not, are drawn by the describer himself, and well executed.

The last plate, a double one, represents Embothrium speciosissimum of Dr. Smith, which, not being considered by Mr. S. as of superlative beauty, is by him called speciosum. His observation on the division of the corolla, is the same as that of Dr. Sims, and he also remarks, that what was called the back of the flower, is really the trout; but this is surely disputing about words merely. We think the Figure given of the Waratah, in the Botanical Maga zine, is both more correct and better coloured than this. In some native specimens that we have seen, the bractes are both larger and more numerous.

THE same sultry weather with which the last month concluded, continue at intervals till the middle of the present. On the first, the thermometer in the shade stood as high as 70°; on the thisteenth it was the same; and on the fourteenth it was as high as 79°. This was certainly by far the hottest day we have had this year. On the 14th and 15th, we had thunder; and in the nights, lightning from the south and south west was remarkably vivid. On the 224, in the morning, there were some gentle showers; and from the 26th to the conclusion or the monthi sufficient ram fell to render the country once more green and pleasant.

It

-It is the remark of a Swedish naturalist, that after the summer solstice, no species of trees are known to grow much ;. and therefore that hedges should then be clipped.

July 1. The corn-cockle (agrostemma githago), red eyebright (Bartsia odontites of Dr. Smith), Blue bottle (Centaurea cyanus), round-leaved snap-dragon (Antirrhinum spurium), calve's-snout snap-dragon (Antirrhinum orentium), common toad-flax (Antiribinum linaria), yellow stone-crop (Sedum reflexum), tufted vetch (Vicia craxa), and hare's foot treloji (Trifolium arvense), are all in flower.

July 9 A few mackrel were caught this evening, but by no means sufficient to afford any recompence for the hitherto general want of success which the fishermen have had.

July 12. On attentively observing a hillock formed by horse-ants, I remarked that seve tal of the winged individuals had begun to come abroad.

The harsh cry of the land rail or corn-crake, as it is called in some counties (Rallus crex), has excited no inconsiderable alarm amongst the common people near Emswortb, in the south-east corner of Hampshire. This bird, which is very uncommon throughout the seacoast districts of the county, was heard in the fields one evening, in the early part of the present month. As it runs rapidly along amongst the grass and corn, and emits its cry, after short intervals, in different and sometimes distant parts, the persons who heard it, believed it to proceed from some supernatural being, and absurdly represented it as such amongst their neighbours.

July 19. The day was cloudy, and I was somewhat surprized, on searching the boggy ground of an extensive common for insects and plants, to remark that the flowers of the round and the long-leaved sundaw, (Diosera rotundifolia and longifolia) were fully expanded. observed them in this state before.

I never July 21. Sand-launces or wreckle, (Ammodytes tolianus of Linnæus) are now upon the shores, and, at low water of the spring-tides, are dog out of the sand in great numbers.

The following hardy garden plants and shrubs are in flower:-Yellow jasmine (Jasminum fruticans), greater honey-wort (Cerinthe major), white phlox (Phlox suaveolens), spotted stalk phlox (Phlox maculata), common marvel of Peru (Mirabilis jalapa), tobacco (Niestiana tabacum), tutsan (Hypericum androsæmum), and garden chrysanthemumi (Chrysanthemum coronarium).

July 25. The caterpillars of the puss moth (Phalæna vinula), began to spin their cases previously to their change into chrysalids.

The

Some chrysalids of that interesting but destructive insect, the lacquey-moth (Phalane neus tria), this day changed to their perfect state in a box in my room. These moths lay their eggs in the autumn, with great regularity, in rings round the tender shoots of apple trees. caterpillars are produced from the eggs when the ensuing leaves are putting forth, and, in some orchards, they become a great nuisance, by devouring the foliage, and occasionally almost covering the trees with their webs.

Towards the end of the month, great numbers of the large magpie-moth (Phalana glossularara), the caterpillar of which commits so much havoc amongst the leaves of the gooseberry and currant trees, were flying about the hedges and lanes. They are much more numerous this year than I have remarked them for several seasons past. Some of them are on wing not only all day, but during the greatest part of the night

July 30. So many mackrel were caught last night, that to day they are selling for six pence a dozen

Hampshire.

MONTHLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT.

IN the southern parts of the island the harvest work has been chiefly finished, and the grain mostly well secured; and in the more northern districts this sort of field labour is in an unusual state of forwardness; a fortnight will, probably, if the season continues fine, put a pe-, ried to their work. In both parts of the kingdom the crops are very fine, and in general full; but in the former, the wheats have been more injured by the smut and mildew, than in the latter. There can, however, be no doubt of there being generally a very good harvest.

The turnip crops, especially those put in at a late period, have come on better than could have been supposed; and if the weather should be droppy, they will probably be good crops. Those which were early sown, are, in general, excellent.

A great extent of land has been well prepared fer wheat in both the above parts of the kingdom, and will be sown as soon as seed can be provided.

The potatoes in all the more northern parts of the country have the most promising appearance.

The prices of grain continue rather stationary.-Wheat ferches from 603. to 84s. per quarter Barley, from 40s. to 46s;-and Oats, from 36s. to 40s.

The live stock, both of the fat and lean kind, are somewhat on the decline.-In Smithfield

market,

market, Beef fetches from 4s. 6d. to 5s. 6d. per stone;-Mutton, 4s. 6d. to 5s. 8d. ;-Veal, 59. to 6s. and Pork, 58. to 63.

The prices of hay and straw are much as in our last.-1lay fetches from 51. to 6l. 18s.j Straw, from 11. 19s. to 21. 5s.;—and Clover, from 61. 49. to 71. 16s.

Hops continue promising in most places.

METEOROLOGICAL REPORT.

Observations on the State of the Weather, from the 24th of July, to the 24th of August, 1803, inclusive, Two Miles N.W. of St. Paul's.

Barometer.

The quantity of rain fallen this month, is equal to 4.67 inches in depth. The average height of the barometer is 29.893; and that of the thermometer 64.67. The changes in tem perature and density of the atmosphere, have been but trifling. The quantity of rain, which much above the average quantity for a month, fell almost all in the early part of the month; there have been however eleven days in which there has been rain; but on the whole, there was probably never known a more favourable season for the harvest. The wind has been variable, and sometimes it has blown cold for the season.

Astronomical Anticipations.

We have a full moon on the 4th instant, about eleven in the evening; and new moo on the 20th at half past seven in the morning. The full moon happening so early in the month, it will not be the true harvest-moon. This is always the full moun nearest to the autumnal equinox, or that which happens nearest to the 22d of September. It is denominated the harvest-moon, because it rises about the full for several successive nights, with but a small difference in the times of her rising, and happening about the harvest-season, is supposed to be particularly favourable, by lengthening day light, to the getting in the fruits of the earth. This small difference, which is on the average about fifteen or twenty minutes only, while at other times in the month it is sometimes more than an hour and a quarter, occurs every month, but as it does not happen at the full, no notice is taken of it. For this year the full moon for the present, and that for the next, are almost equally favourable, and might be both denominated harvest moons. We shall now, for an evening or two, trace the moon's course; on the 9th she rises four minutes after eight: she is then in about the 13 of Leo, and nearly in the ecliptic as she rises in the heavens, she will be found about mid way between the star Alpha in the Ram's head, and Menkar in Cetus. At nine she is 53 from Markab in the Pegasus. On the 10th she rises soon after the Pleiades, passing shortly after an imaginary line drawn from these stars to the Menkar; and at nine she will be 65° nearly from Markab, having in twenty-four hours travelled about 19° in her course. On the 12th, she rises a little before, and above Aldebaran, and as she mounts in the heavens, Orion seeth) to follow her with great splendour.

Mercury is a morning star till the 11th. Jupiter will be a fine object for the telescope. on the 6th, 13th, 15th, 22d, and 29th.

Venus is an evening star, but not yet visible.
Eclipses of his first satellite will take place,

The dial, and well regulated clocks and watches should, at the beginning of the month be. together, but on the last day the clocks will be more than ten minutes after the sun.

** Persons who reside Abroad, and who wish to be supplied with this Work every Mouth, as published, may have it sent to them, FREE OF POSTAGE, to New York, Halifax, Quebec, and every part of the West Indies, at Tao Guineus per Annum, by Mr. THORNHILL, of the General Post Office, at No. 21, Sherbornelane; to Hamburgh, Lisbon, Gibraltar, or any Part of the Mediterranean, at Two Guineus per Annum, by Mr. Bishop, of the General Post Office, at No. 22, Sher-, borne-lane; to the Cape of Good Hope, or any part of the East Indies, at Thirty Shillings per Annum, by Mr. Guy, at the East India House; and to any part of Ireland, at One Guines and a Half per Annum, by Mr. SMITH, of the General Post Office, at No. 3. Sherborne-lane. It may also be had of all Persons who deal in Books, at those Pluces, and also in every Part of the World.

THE

MONTHLY MAGAZINE.

No. 176.]

OCTOBER 1, 1808.

[3 of VOL. 26.

"As long as thefe who write are ambitious of making Converts, and of giving to their Opinions & Maximum of "Insuence and Celebrity, the most extenfively circulated Mifcellany will repay with the greatest £ffect the "Curiosity of those who read either for Amusement or Inftruction." JOHNSON,

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

For the Monthly Magazine.

LETTER III.

ON TEA.

Nequicquam Deus abscidit
Prudens oceano dissociabile
Terras, si tamen impiæ

THE

Non tangenda rates transiliunt vada. Hor. HE different products of different countries occasion a powerful excitement to commercial intercourse, which affording at the same time reciprocal in

terests, forms a bond of union between nations; and by multiplying wants and enjoyments, promotes industry, civilization, morals, and wealth. These effects are the result of trade, by whatever medium it may be maintained, whether by that of gold, silver, rough materials, or manufactures; and the prices and profits of which, will in a great measure depend upon the value or facility of labour.

pro

Your correspondents G. N. and Phytophilus, seem to have imbibed the common opinion, that we lose by trade with China, in consequence of, and in portion to, the quantity of the precious metals exported thither for the purchase of tea; whilst I would consider them in the same point of view with other products of labour, employed in barter and traffic. 66 In China, and Indostan, the extent and variety of inland navigation save the greater part of labour by land carriage, (used in most parts of Europe,) and consequently of the money price of their manufactures, which must naturally be much lower in these great empires, than it is any where in Europe. Upon these accounts, the precious metals are a commodity, which it always has been, and still continues to be, extremely advantageous to carry from Europe to India, There is scarce any commodity which brings a better price there; or which, in proportion to the quantity of labour and commodities, which it costs in Europe, will purchase or command a greater quantity of labour and commodities in India." Smith's Wealth of Nations. B. 1. ch. xi. (and the subsequent remarks on silver, as an article of trade.)

From every consideration, therefore, respecting product and labour, the cultivation MONTHLY MAG. No. 176.

of tea in China will be infinitely cheaper to us, than in any of our colonies where the price of labour, and of food, is so much dearer; whilst the same labour bestowed on colonial product might afford a surplus of profit or money adequate to purchase tea in China and other articles elsewhere,

An important consideration in the trade is the employment of shipping, and consequently the increase of seamen. I am not well acquainted with the nature and extent of our exports to China; independently, however, of the precious metals, considerable quantities of tin, copper, and red cloth, are exported thither; besides watches, and various articles of mechanism; and of late, as I have been informed, English china; but as Adam Smith justly observes, our most profitable article of export is silver.

About thirty million pounds of tea are annually imported into England; it is hence exported to a considerable extent to the colonies, and to the European states, and thus encreases the navigation, commerce, and profit of this kingdom, besides the direct duties drawn from its import.

In a moral point of view, it is not an inactive agent. It affords a cheap repast, and is a grateful menstruum of the food taken with it. Like many other infusions of vegetables, it is not nutritious, but is rendered so by the addition of sugar and cream, or milk; and if not taken too hot, or drawn from superfine tea, it is innoxious, whilst it leads very much to the exclusion of spirits, or potent liquors, to which even the higher ranks of both sexes were accustomed, as accompaniments to breakfast, before the introduction of tea.

* Simon Pauli, who took a pleasure in with the irony of the following lines: opposing the use of tea, indulges himself

Drinct wiin and warff
Drinct beer and verdarff,
Drinct waater and starff.
Or,

Drink wine and profit,
Drink beer and grow thin,
Drink water and die.