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considerable alarm at the sight of it; as a general opinion or prejudice exists amongst the inhabitants of the western isles, that it is extremely unlucky to meet with or look upon such animals at sea, or to point them out to the rest of the crew, unless they observe it themselves. Signed, Neil McIntosh; Robert Brown, Factor for Clanrannald, Witness; Donald M'Neil of Canna, Witness; William Campbell, W. S. Edinburgh, Witness; James Gillespie, Architect, Edinburgh, Witness.

Portree, 2d Oct. 1809.-That what is above written is a true copy of the original.

Attested, MALCOLM WRIGHT, M. P. A young man, named John M'Isaac, of Corphine, in Kintyre, in Scotland, made oath on examination, at Campbeltown, before the sheriff-substitute of Kintyre, that he saw on the afternoon of the 13th of October, 1813, on a black rock on the sea-coast, an animal, of the particulars of which he gives a long and curious detail, answering in general to the description commonly given of the supposed amphibious animal called a Mermaid. He states that the upper half of it was white, and of the shape of a human body; the other half, towards the tail, of a brindled or redish gray colour, apparently covered with scales; but the extremity of the tail itself was of a greenish red shining colour; that the head was covered with long hair; sometimes it would put back the hair on both sides of its head, it would also spread its tail like a fan; and while so extended, the tail continued in tremulous motion, and when drawn together again, it remained motionless; and appeared to the deponent to be about twelve or fourteen inches broad; that the hair was long and light brown; that the animal was between four and five feet long; that it had a head, hair, arms, and body, down to the middle, like a human being; that the arms were short in proportion to the body, which appeared to be about the thickness of that of a young lad, and tapering gradually to the point of the tail; that when stroking its head, as above mentioned, the fingers were kept close together, so that he cannot say whether they were webbed or not; that he saw it for near two hours, the rock on which it lay being dry; that after the sea had so far retired, as to leave the rock dry to the height of five feet above the water, it tumbled clumsily into the sea; a minute after he observed the animal above water, and then he saw every feature of its

face, having all the appearance of a hu man being, with very hollow eyes. The cheeks were of the same colour with the rest of the face; the neck seemed short; and it was constantly with both hands stroking and washing its breast, which was half immersed in the water. He therefore cannot say whether its bosom was formed like a woman's or not. He saw no other fins or feet upon it but as described. It continued above water for a few minutes, and then disappeared. He was informed that some boys in a neighbouring farm saw a similar creature in the sea, close to the shore, on the same day. The minister of Campbeltown, and the chamberlain of Mull, attest his examination, and declare they know no reason why his veracity should be questioned.

Extraordinary Phenomenon. At Sandside, in the parish of Reay, in the county of Caithness, there was seen, in October, 1813, an animal supposed to be the Mermaid. The head and the chest, being all that was visible, exactly resembled those of a full-grown young woman. The mammæ were perfectly formed; the arms longer than in the human body, and the eyes somewhat smaller. When the waves dashed the hair, which was of a sea-green shade, over the face, the hands were immediately employed to replace it. The skin was of a pink colour. Though observed by several persons within the distance of twenty yards, for about an hour and half, it discovered no symptoms of alarm. It was seen by four or five individuals of unquestionable veracity at the same time. Something of the same kind was observed in the same neighbourhood, about seven years ago, by a gentleman then residing near the spot.

The design of inserting this notice is to excite the attention of inquiring naturalists, and if possible, through this, or some other medium, to obtain a more satisfactory account of an animal, the existence of which has been long reckoned a mere matter of fabulous representation.

A Merman. A letter from Monmouth, dated the 13th November, 1810, says,

"About eight o'clock yesterday morn ing, two fishermen, in their truckles, fishing for salmon, found their net much heavier than usual; and which, on coming to shore, contained a huge monster, the upper part bearing exact resemblance to a man, the middle to a beast, spotted like the leopard, and a tail like a fish; the hair on his head green-he had red eyes, and tusks five inches and a half in length,

and he measured, from head to tail, thirteen feet and three quarters. He is now deposited in the Town-hall for the inspection of the curious."

Merman. A letter from Douglas, dated December, 1810, contains a curious account of two Merchildren lately discovered by three respectable tradesmen during an excursion on the Calf of Man. Attracted by a sound resembling the cries of a kitten, they found amongst the rocks two small marine animals, exactly resembling that species of creature, known by the name of Merman. One of them was dead, and much lacerated by the violence with which it had been driven on shore during a violent gale on the preceding night; the other was conveyed to Doug las, where it seems likely to do well. It is one foot eleven and three quarter inches in length, from the crown of its head to the extremity of its tail; five inches across the shoulders; its skin is pale brown, and the scales on its tail are tinged with violet; the hair on its head is light green; it is attached to the crown of the head only, hanging loose about the face, about four inches in length, very gelatinous to the touch, and resembling the green sea-weed, growing on rocks; its mouth is small, and has no appearance of teeth. It delights much in swimming in a tub of sea-water, and feeds chiefly on muscles and other shell-fish, which it devours with great avidity; it also now and then swallows small portions of milk and water, when given to it in a quill.

Mermaid. The many extraordinary tales that have been mentioned respecting the existence of the mermaid, have given such an air of absurdity to the fact, that there is little wonder at the incredulity of the generality of people in doubting the existence of such a creature in toto. The several instances lately occurring of such an object as that which generally passes under the name of the mermaid, having been seen by persons who may be supposed little likely to be imposed upon by an imaginary appearance, has shaken the opinion of many, and led them at least to hesitate before they condemned the opinion as monstrous and improbable. The appearances of these creatures have generally been confined within those places where positive proof was somewhat hard to be obtained, or at least where the fact had lain so long in obscurity, as to prevent an immediate inquiry into the truth of the circumstances. A short time since a Mermaid was seen in the north of Scot

land, and various statements have been published by people who averred having seen similar appearances on the coasts of Norway, but we never, before the present instance, heard of them being seen on our coasts. Last week, however, whilst a sloop belonging to Beverley was at anchor in Hawk roads, near Grimsby, a boy on board saw the appearance of a woman at some distance, whom he supposed by some accident had unfortunateÎy fallen overboard a vessel. Anxious to save her, he hauled the sloop's boat to him, and called to the master and another person on board to assist; but the lady, as he called her, having disappeared, they looked anxiously towards the spot, expecting she might again be buoyed up by the water, and thus enable them to render her the assistance she might want. In a short time she appeared again, when they were immediately sensible, from her appearance, that it was a creature of the Mermaid species. She came so near the vessel that they could not be deceiv ed, for they perceived her shake herself, and put up her hands to shade back her hair, which was very long, and quite black. Her appearance they describe as that of a blooming country girl. The above is, as nearly as we have been able to learn, an accurate account of the appearance of this singular phenomenon, a phenomenon which has afforded a subject of much disputation, but has never yet, as far as we learn, been positively decided as existing. Hull Chronicle.

The altitude of Ascutney Mountain in Vermont, and Moose-Hillock in NewHampshire, ascertained barometrically, by Alden Partridge, Esq. Capt. of Engineers stationed at Governors-Istand. Sept. 24th, 1817, and addressed to the hon. Sam. L. Mitchill. DEAR SIR,

I take the liberty to transmit on the opposite page, several altitudes which I calculated when absent during vacation in the month of August last. Ascutney is a beautiful insulated, conical mountain, situated in the State of Vermont, in the towns of Windsor and Weathersfieldthe summit about five miles southwest from the village of Windsor, and about the same distance west from Connecticut river. Moose-Hillock is the most elevated peak of a long range of mountains, which commences about three miles from New Haven, in the State of Connecticut, at a rocky precipice called East-rock. From this place the range takes a northeasterly direction, crossing

Connecticut river, below North-Hampton in the State of Massachusetts, thence taking a more northerly direction, it passes into the State of New-Hampshire, forming for a considerable distance the height of land, between Connecticut river on the west, and Merrimack river on the east. This range, I believe, is joined, previous to crossing the New-Hampshire boundary, by another range commencing near Lyme in the State of Connecticut, and called the Lyme range of mountains, but which does not attain any considerable elevation. The celebrated White Mountains are a spur from this range, branching off to the north-east. MooseHillock is situated about forty-five miles, a little to east of north, from Dartmouth College, and about fifteen miles east from the village of Haverhill, which adjoins Connecticut river. It is so called in consequence of formerly having been much frequented by Moose. The rocks, and also the fallen trees on the sides of the mountains, are covered with a thick bed of moss. Hard timber, such as Beech, Maple, and Birch, intermixed with a few Evergreens, grow around the foot of the mountain, but as we ascend, the Evergreens, Hemlock, Spruce, and Firs, wholly prevail; these as we approach the summit dwindle into mere shrubs, about three feet in height. Their branches are so interlocked that it is almost impossible to get through them: the suminit of the north peak was burned over a few years ago, and is now entirely bald; a mere mass of bare granite rocks. A silver mine is reported to have been discovered many years ago by some hunters, on the side of the mountain. The position of this reported mine, however, is not now known, though much vain search has been made to ascertain it. In haste, with the greatest respect, yours, sincerely,

A. PARTRIDge.

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Note. The north peak of Moose-Hillock is rather higher than the south peak. At the time I was on the south peak the weather was so extremely thick and inclement as to prevent my passing to the north peak. From my own observations, however, and from the best information I could obtain, I think the difference between the two peaks does not exceed one hundred feet. I presume, therefore, that four thousand six hundred and thirty-six feet may be taken for the altitude of the north peak, without essential error; this is, undoubtedly, the highest mountain) except the White Mountains) in the northern States, if not on this side the Mississippi. The prospect from the top of Ascutney is very fine. I have witnessed more extensive ones, but never a more beautiful one: the foregoing altitudes were caleulated from barometrical, and thermomet rical observations in the month of August, 1817.

A. PARTRIDGE, Capt. of Eng. 1961 Observations on the application of Oiled silk, or Oil-skin, to the surface of the Human Body; by ALEXANDER ŘAMSAY, M. D. Lecturer on Anatomy and Physiology, &c. &c.

In the year 1796 I was induced to draw deductions respecting the treatment of the human skin, where the vessels become enfeebled or inert, from the following circumstances: When I was a student of anatomy, the frequent occurrence of wounds from the scalpel, occasioned my adoption of finger cases formed of oilskin, which, being impervious to moisture, prevented the danger accruing from the contact of wounded parts with putrid matter. This impervious substance, equally precluded the escape of vapour from the finger, retained the heat, and

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occasionally the perspiration appeared in a condensed state on the oil-skin. Observing this local influence, I was in the use of recommending to my pupils, in my lectures in Surgeon's-square, in Edinburgh, in 1796, and subsequent years, the application of oil-skin in all cases where an artificial atmosphere was denoted, in a partial or general manner to the surface.

Whether the universal use of this substance took its rise from those hints I have mentioned, is of little consequence to the public or to me; the proper application of it, however, is of importance to invalids; and on my late return to Europe, in 1810, I find it hurtful in some cases, from an ignorance of the rationale of its operation. I therefore trust, that a liberal public will forgive my obtruding on their attention this subject, so long familiar to me, and so often productive of the most unexpected happy conse quences; nor should this surprise us when we consider the highly vascular and nervous economy of the structure of the skin, a diagram of which I had the pleasure of offering, (No. 184, June, 1814, in the London Physical Journal,) prepared with the cold injection which I have recommended in America, and find now frequent in Europe.* I shall first enumerate a few general circumstances; and then the particular applica- tions of oil-skin.

General Observations. In all cases, the oil-skin ought to be lined with woolly cotton or flannel; this at once prevents the coldness of the silk being perceived when first applied, absorbs perspiration, and has the effect of obviating the chilling sensation experienced after the ceasing of copious perspiration.

I shall be particular, in pointing out, where an outside covering is denoted to prevent friction, because the influence of the substance is lost, whenever the surface is abraded. I should be apt to suppose, that when coarse oiled linen is adopted in place of silk, that the rough side should be exposed to the human skin, as less conduction takes place than from the smooth surface. The linings, in all cases, ought to be loose, so as to be removed, and dried or washed daily, the surface of the silk ought to be sponged with a slight soap-lather; when the

See No. 184 of this Journal, alluded to. Excepting, however, on this account I must prefer the smooth side toward the skin, as its abrasion is thus lessened, and it admits of being more easily sponged and cleaned.

linings are stitched in, and left over night in foot-socks, &c. they become damp in the morning, and partially overthrow the purposes intended.

Gloves. From what has been said, the reader will conclude, that a cotton or flannel glove, distinct from the oil-skin, is to be used, over which the oil-skin glove is to be drawn: when they are separated they can be dried, resume their entire purposes; and, by drawing a common glove over the oil-skin, the heat is increased, and the surface of the silk preserved. The lining and outer glove may be adapted to the state of the patient, in their fabric of cotton or worsted, &c. For children and old people, in gout, rheumatic affections, palsy, &c. these applications seem highly useful.*

Waistcoats, &c. Waistcoats, or breastpieces, I have known to banish hæmoptosis, and alleviate asthma: they often excite blisters if a lining is not added; drawers, stockings, and foot socks, are now frequently in use; and local affeetions of partial organs, as the throat, joints, or surfaces of the skin, &c. are relieved by this application. All these require linings only, as the cloathing and stocking preserve the outer surface. A complete envelope in a desperate case of dropsy abroad, not only excited sensible perspiration, but occasioned much alleviation of symptoms.

Bed covers. I find, by several experiments on myself, and some on patients, that oil-skin forms a powerful substitute for bed clothes; indeed, a few bed clothes are necessary as interposing substances, to lesson the over accumulation of heat. The sudden condensation of the perspired matter, by the oil-skin in cold weather, reflects the extricated heat so abundantly, as to induce, occasionally, copious perspiration seemingly in a short period. I, therefore, lay the silk over the blankets, with a woolly cotton interposed, as an absorbent, as the oil-skin is usually in a profuse wet state in the morning, and thus injures the blankets. In my own case, I find, that covering from the feet up to the knees sufficiently excites the system; a weighty coverlet spread over the oil-skin, occasions a regular application to the surface of the body, and thus produces a rapid and equal excitement of the external vessels.

I have known even cutaneous eruptions corrected by this plan of precluding atmospheric influence, and the use of oil-skin in Europe and America, seems now very general.

Note. The reader will easily conclude, from the cause I have assigned, as the means of promoting heat by this application, that the accumulation, is in a ratio to the surface covered. Hence also the danger of healthful persons incorrectly resorting to this coverlet, as several la dies and gentlemen experienced in London, the oil-skin is applicable only in cold weather, or feebleness, &c.

A cloak may be safely used composed of this substance, provided the collar was kept from contact of the person so as to admit air, and the same was used in the body; there should not be any arms, but a lap seul as the hussar cloaks. Several British officers died, in consequence of tight cloaks, during the war on the Peninsula, from the heat excited, which exposed them to the influence of sudden transition.

Envelop. Where great cold is experienced, or sudden perspiration denoted, would an envelop of flannel, applied to the skin, around which a similar covering of oil-skin may be wrapped, produce the intended effect? My experiments on myself seem to favour this opinion.*

Vapour-Bath. No circumstance harrowed up my feelings more cruelly than the sufferings of patients in the yellowfever hospitals, which I have visited abroad. The fatigue endured by conveying them from their chambers to the vapour bath, seemed to induce aggravated symptoms. This occasioned my proposing the plan of the following portable vapour-bath, formed of oiled silk or

The improper treatment of domesticated animals, seems to pervert their constitution. Gentlemen of the veterinary art, have observed to me the frequent failure of sudorific medicines, given to the horse. Would a covering of oil-skin produce the effect wished, by exciting the cuticular system?-Are not our animals too much confined in houses? I have observed in my travels, that no cattle were so well conditioned as those that never were housed. Where the constitution is sound, no children, no people suffer so little from inclemency of any kind, as those who do not indulge in warm clothing. I fear your readers inay suspect me as too much bordering on quackery, too sanguine and extended in my proposals and applications of oil-skin, but the unprejudiced man must perceive, that my recommendations Bow from the structure of the skin, and any belief of its functions; as also its perversion of structure by too much covering, by debilitating causes, &c. and the necessity of counteracting this state, by a substance adapted to exclude powerful transitions, and to facilitate the operations of na

ture.

cloth, or painted cloth. I shall refer to the annexed diagram for conveying a notion of this apparatus.*

In yellow fever, in languid cases, in high temperatures of climate, in low ty phus, &c. vapour-bath became the only preparatory means by which I quelled the irritation of the stomach, and thus paved the way for medical application.

I have only to add, that cheapness and durability of an article so extensively useful as the substance, the application of which I have proposed, has become an object of my attention. Mr. John Hargrave has, at his own expense, in a manner equally polite and philanthropic, furnished me with materials, and instituted such experiments as I suggested. This gentleman, therefore, is in possession of my opinions, respecting not only the manner of preparing oiled silk and cloth, but merits my recommending him to public attention and confidence.

In this dreadful malady, so exhausted are the powers of nature occasionally, I have witnessed a patient, in the syncopy of death, from the indiscretion of the nurse permitting him to rise to make water or stool, in place of introducing the bed-pan. I was forced to permit the unhappy victims to remain longer in the squalid linens they wore than cleanliness seemed to dictate, as shifting them, often terminated in fainting, in aggravated symptoms, and even in death.

+ In all cases of irritation or spasm, as asthma, colds, incipient fever, &c. vapour-bath seems denoted as a laudable application; and, if the plan proposed here succeeds, much expense incurred by individuals in the use of public baths will be saved, and inva lids can always enjoy their benefit at home at an easier rate. In a future communica tion, I intend to offer remarks on the cases where cold-bath, warm-bath, and vapour-bath, are peculiarly denoted-where the above mode of vapour-bath proposed, will be recommended in cases of corpulency, by which means, when assisted by bandaging the arms, legs, and trunk, the vessels acquire habitual tone, and the system may be altered. I beg leave to mention another purpose to which oil-skin is applied with happy influence, i. e. In cutaneous affections of the limbs in particular, as this is usually connected with enlarged veins, and a derangement of the structure of the cutis verer, bandaging supports the vessels and restores tone; where itching and heat are accompa niments, this roller ought to be saturated with lime water-mercurial additions seem unnecessary to the water; over the roller apply an oil-skin cover, by which means the moisture is protracted, and indeed, a seeming emolient effect which often produces laudable influence. I recommend bathing the parts in water as warm as can be endured when the bandage is changed, and friction used in the course of the venous circulation:

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