To the Editors of the American Monthly Magazine.

I noticed in your number of May, an article respecting the salivation of horses and neat-cattle, and believing the cause there assigned not to be, if correct, the only one, I have thought proper to express to you a few observations which I have made on the subject. The disagreeable salivation to which horses are subject in this country, usually commences about the close of July or the beginning of August, and continues six or eight weeks: it is within this period that the Lobelia Inflata flourishes; this plant is peculiarly acrid and directly stimulating to the salivary glands of horses. It is to this plant that we must attribute the evil, for except in those pastures where it may be found, horses are not subject to this complaint. Any person may discover its effects by feeding it to horses; a single plant will generally excite salivation for several hours. It is much to be regretted that a plant which holds so high a rank in the Materia Medica, as does the Lobelia, should prove so great an evil to the noblest of brute animals, and could any means be devised to prevent its farther spread, or ameliorate its baneful effects, it would be a circumstance truly fortunate. S. W. G.

surprising increase of its population and produce, present a subject of inquiry highly interesting, not only as affording a basis for a correct calculation of the future advance of our interior settlements to the west, where land and the titles to it are good, and thus affording a glimpse of the scene our country is one day, we may hope, destined to present, but it has opened to the observation of the geographer and the geologist, a number of very curious particulars in its general topography, which do not to my knowledge exist, at least in so remarkable a degree, or to so great an extent, in any other part of the United States. To collect facts relative to these, and by comparing these facts with each other, and judging by the rules of analogy drawn from similar appearances in other parts of the globe, to endeavour to discover the probable cause of the singular features I have mentioned, has induced me to take the liberty of addressing you, and to beg the favour of you to answer the queries inclosed, as far as your knowledge extends, and as much in detail as you conveniently can. But before proceeding to the queries I will add some conjectures of my own, drawn from the very limited means of information I at present possess.

It is well known that there are at the Little Falls of the Mohawk River, evident marks of the rocks having been formerly washed by the waves, or by a current of water one hundred feet above the present surface at the head of the falls. Now it appears, by the levels taken by the surveyors employed by the Commissioners on the Grand Canal, that the surface of the water at that place, is less than sixty feet lower than at Rome, therefore it seems to me there can be no doubt, that when the waters washed the top of the hill at the falls, the country above, along the valley of the river as far as (and much farther than) Rome, must once have been the bottom of a large lake, bounded on each side at no great distance by the uplands, and presenting in shape a long narrow arm, similar to the present lakes Cayuga and Seneca; and as there is a gradual descent in the country west of Rome, as far as Three-River Point, and the elevation from that Point to the falls of the Seneca river near Scawyace, is very inconsiderable, it seems to me equally undoubted, that the waters once reached so far, including the present Cayuga, Cross, Onondaga, and Oneida lakes, the last of which I imagine was near the centre. I suppose this great lake to have been bounded on the east by the hill at

ver.

the falls, on the south by the uplands giving rise to the head waters of the Susquehannah, on the north by the elevation of the great step from the lower falls on Gennesee to Oswego Falls, and on the east by the uplands between the head waters of Mud Creek and Gennesee RiIts extent up the valley of Mud Creek I dont pretend to conjecture, but suppose its length from east to west may have been about a hundred and twenty miles, and its breadth in general about twenty-all the country within these limits is a flat, surrounded by much higher land, and its soil, and likewise its small and almost imperceptible horizontal inclination is, I believe, precisely similar to the muddy bottoms of the lakes I have mentioned.-But the circumstance which seems to me most strongly to corroborate my opinion, is the known decrease in the waters of these lakes, and, of course, diminution in their extent, and the time probably is approaching when they will be entirely drained, and when the land left by the water is covered with timber, (which would soon be the case if left to nature,) it will present a country similar in appearance to that on the south side of Oneida Lake, the Cayuga marshes, &c. with creeks meandering through it like the Seneca River, Oneida, Cowaselon and Wood Creeks, &c. &c.

Please favour me with your ideas on the subject, when convenient, and send me by mail, as far as may be in your power, answers to the following queries.

JOHN H. EDDY.. No. 220 William-street. 1st. Do you know of any additional circumstances confirming the above supposition, such as traces of water at other places much above its present level, and near the supposed boundary I have sketched out?

2d. Are there any traditions among the Indians, that the country was formerly covered with water?

3d. Do you know how far the ridge, on which the ridge road is constructed from Lewistown to the lower falls of Gennesee, extends to the eastward of Gennesee River, and do you know of any other remarkable ridge or steps, similar to that which occasions the falls of Niagara and Oswego? state its height, direction, extent and composition.

4th. What is the composition of rocks in your neighbourhood and how do they lie?-in strata or otherwise? inclined or horizontal?

6th. What shells are found? on the surface or what depth? are they similar to the shell-fish at present existing in the adjoining waters, or are they of unknown species? are they found in the hills, or in the valleys, or in both?

7th. Have any bones of animals been found?-of what kind?-in the hills, or in the valleys, or in both?

8th. Do you know of any petrifactions in your neighbourhood?-of what kind? and do they resemble things now existing, or are they of unknown substances, are they found in the hills, or in the valleys, or in both?

9th. What trees or plants are peculiar to the respective soils of the valley of the lake I have supposed, and the uplands? (Note, the botanical names of trees and plants should be mentioned, if in your power, the English names being applied to very different species in different parts of the country.)

10th. Do you know of any means of ascertaining, or estimating, the age of the forest trees which grow on the old Indian fortifications?

11th. Do you know at what rate per annum the lakes in your neighbourhood decrease? or how much have they decreased within your knowledge, or that of creditable people?

12th. Are there any Indian hieroglyphics extant in your neighbourhood? can you send me a copy, with the meaning if it can be obtained-or drawings and plans of any Indian antiquities?

13th. I have heard that the Indians on the Mississippi, whose language is totally different, can yet understand cach other very correctly by means of signs; is it so with those in your neighbourhood, and can you describe their method?

14th. What effect has the clearing and settling the country had on the climatedo the streams diminish, and in what degree?

15th. What is the present variation of the magnetic needle with you, and what has it been formerly, and at what places observed?

16th. It has been remarked in Europe that the variation was affected by an earthquake, can you recollect about the time of the late earthquakes, which extended (I believe) northeasterly from the Mississippi, about two years ago, that there was any change in the variation, and how much?

17th. Have you ever observed the Aurora Borealis, or northern lights, in

and describe the phenomena-can you re

collect any change in the variation at the time? this has been observed in Europe. 18th. What do you suppose may be the average elevation of the hills in your neighbourhood above their base?

19th. Send me a description, and (if convenient) a drawing of any singular and unaccountable natural feature in the country, or of any extraordinary phenomena. 20th. How far can the great step, which occasions the fails of Niagara, be traced into Canada, and in what direction-the same of the ledge, which occasions the rapids at Black Rock.

21st. Latitudes and longitudes of any part of the country will be very important in constructing a correct map of the state, and if you can furnish me with any useful observations, they will be highly acceptable,-please to describe the observation, and the instruments used.

The Columbian Printing-Press. While the United States are not inferior to any other nation in original inventions, they undoubtedly far surpass many of them in those improvements which are calculated to become truly useful. Our pin and card factories, which heretofore in Europe required the labour of so many workmen, in this country, under the guidance of genius, not only attract the man of business, but have become the resort of the inquisitive and the curious. The use of steam, as applied to vessels, and the great number of patents annually issued, speak so loudly in proof of the assertion, that it would be superfluous to enlarge on this subject. These remarks were intended to introduce an eulogium, which it seems experienced printers have seen fit to pronounce on the Columbian printing press; and it is sincerely hoped it may prove a benefit to all concerned. It may not be amiss, previous to giving this article, to take a compara

tive view of those now in use.

Many new models of printing presses have been produced in this country-but most of them have failed: and some may have been condemned prematurely. In England, the Stanhope press has generally been preferred, and the profession, in this country, duly appreciate its merits. In Scotland, what is called the Ruthven press is in considerable use, and some have been imported, one of which is in operation in Philadelphia. The power is given by a compound lever; and instead of acting above the platen, it is fixed beneath the bed. An objection to this is, that the platen traverses, instead of what

in other presses is called the carriage; by which means the workman has to go through a movement to which he is entirely unaccustomed; the platen having to be pulled over, and pushed from the form, with an exertion, each of which would give the Columbian press sufficient force to make the impression. The pull is made by a bar fixed where the rounce of the common press is situated, and requires power equal to the running in one on the old plan. Even if it would work with the same facility as those now in use, we think insurmountable objections would be raised to the manner of its movements. The difficulty of drilling men from old and approved customs into new, and, at most, doubtful systems, is sure to prove a present detriment, without the certainty even of a future benefit. In England there has been a steam press introduced, on which principle two newspapers in London are now printed; but from the enormous expense, and the inutility of them in America, it must be a long time before it will be advantageous or necessary to use them here.

The following cut exhibits an accurate view of Mr. Clymer's press.

from the profession, will give the most Of the Columbian press, the following correct idea:

New-York, June 17, 1818. The undersigned, who have actually used, or witnessed the operations of the Columbian printing press, invented by Mr. Clymer of Philadelphia, most cheerfully embrace an opportunity to speak of it to their brethren in the profession, who, from their local situations, have not yet experienced the advantages resulting from it. Setting aside the benefit arising from the ease and facility of working this press, the obtaining two parallel and accurate surfaces, is particularly worthy of consideration-for, by this, an even

impression is acquired with the assitsance of but one press-blanket; the type is not subject to wear uneven, and the elasticity that two, and sometimes more press-blankets give, by indenting deeper into the hair strokes of the letter than the bolder parts (which are more capable of resisting, on account of having a broader surface) and destroying, in a short time, the beauty of the type with the common press, is, in a great degree, prevented in this. The durability of this press, from being wholly made of cast and wrought iron, we pre sume, cannot for a moment be doubted. We also would express a pleasing disappointment at its so seldom becoming out of order, in consequence of the strength so properly given to those parts most requiring it.

The Columbian press, for power, facility, even impression, and beauty of mechanical construction, we cannot hesitate to say, we think, excels any thing of the kind now in use, and apprehend the day is yet distant, when it will be surpassed in either of those particulars. As we feel it a duty to encourage new inventions in our own country, more especially when we can serve our brethren, and advance the welfare of the profession by it, we seriously beg leave particularly to recommend the Columbian press to consideration, and general adoption.

COLLINS & Co.

MICH. BURNHAM & Co.
LANG, TURNER, & Co.
AMOS BUTLER,
LEWIS & HALL,
DWIGHT & WALKER,
N. PHILLIPS,

SAMUEL WOODWORTH,
GEO. LONG,
ABM. PAUL,
JONA. SEYMOUR,
EPHM. CONRAD,
ORAM & MOTT,
ALEXR. MING,
CLAYTON & KINGSLAND,
J. DESNOUES,

WM. GRATTAN & Co.
DAY & TURNER,
BENJAMIN G. JANSEN.

In the Crawford Weekly Messenger, published at Meadville, Pennsylvania, may be found a series of valuable articles, under the signature of Agricola ; to one number of that series, is appended the following note. We publish it, not only because the information it conveys is highly interesting, but also because, knowing the author, we can vouch for

its authenticity. Speaking of the indigenous productions of Western Pennsylvania, and more particularly of the unoccupied forests of Venango county, he remarks:

"A botanist, would be charmed with the bounties of Flora, in these woods, so open that they might seem pasture-fields, with here and there a tree. Of the indigenous grasses alone, there is an endless variety, and of flowering plants, which clothe the ground with rich and blooming verdure. I mention as a fact deserving notice and consideration, that these supplies nourish wild bees in incredible profusion: ten bee-trees having been found, in less than four months past, within one mile of my cabin, and not a rod of land had been cleared, within that distance, prior to twelve months last! It should be noticed that these grasses, which flourish in wild luxuriance, supplying a rich pasturage in the partial shade of open woodlands, will probably soon disappear whenever the lands are opened to the full influence of the solar rays. Will no Pennsylvanian seek to preserve them to posterity, and to enrich our agriculture by new varietics? If the seeds were preserved from the wild plant, cultivated with care, and by degrees, inured to the culture of open fields, it can hardly be doubted they would prove highly useful; and the more especially, as, having originated in it, they must be perfectly adapted to this soil and climate. Among all the grasses I ever saw, cultivated for hay or pasturage, I have seen none presenting so large a proportion of leaves, compared with the weight and bulk of the whole stock, as do some of these, one in particular. New and useful varieties of grain might very possibly be obtained also-for all our grain is of the family of grasses. There is a tall grass, four or five feet high, which grows much like our cultivated rye, except that every stock is crowned with three heads instead of one: the seed is small, and darker coloured; but who can tell what might be the effect of cultivation upon it, through several years, or vegetable generations? Of medicinal roots, and such as seem to promise new varieties of edibles, I have noticed a great many: and though my object is only to awaken public attention, I cannot omit te mention a wild potato, that grows every where around my cabin. I bave found two to three, and six of them, in succession, on a lateral root, from one to six inches apart, from the size of a nutmeg to that of a common hen's egg. They are nearly round, and when cut, exude a milky juice, (a cir

cumstance indicating the necessity of caution in tasting or eating them) but this only from the skin, while all the rest looks dry, brittle like an artichoke, and mealy. On being roasted, its taste is a compound of the common cultivated potato, and the sweet potato of the south. It is as mealy as either, and cooks with as little heat, though the skin is considerably thicker. It may be proper to observe that the land about me is wooded with chesnut, four or five kinds of oak, the red and white hickory, &c. where these vegetables are found; and that people should be cautious of eating new and untried roots, however specious their appearance."

For the American Monthly Magazine. GENTLEMEN,

The communication from the pen of Mr. Hitchcock, relative to errors in my edition of the Nautical Almanac, deserves notice, and he is entitled to much credit for his perseverance. The ground on which I defended my editions, was the presumption, that the English edition, published at the expense of government, was correct, and I still assert no deviations were made till the Almanac for 1819 went to press, which I had recalculated, and corrected ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-SEVEN ERRORS. Since this, Mr. H. has examined my edition for 1819, and discovered THIRTY-FIVE

ERRORS, all which I have corrected with the pen, in the copies on hand, and beg him to accept my thanks for the information, whatever may be his motive. Candour dictates he should say where the errors originated; and I still challenge him to point out one instance where I have deviated in publishing nine editions of the Nautical Almanac, except in the instances named by me, where errors were previously discovered. I have the English Nautical Almanac for 1820, now in the hands of two gentlemen, celebrated for their mathematical science, and when finished by them, will thank Mr. H. to amuse himself in going over the pages; after which, I will publish the work, and if a deviation is made from copy, of one figure, then I will acknowledge the confidence so liberally experienced by me, to be misplaced, and at once resign the pleasure I have twenty years experienced, of publishing nautical works (which of all others, should he entirely free from error) to other hands. Till then, Mr. H. will be pleased to continue his labours, and contribute all in his power to that perfection which guides the mariner through the pathless ocean, and relieves the solicitude of a respectable class of society, which it is a duty incumbent on every man to aid. With great respect,

The public's obedient servant, EDMUND M. BLUNT. New-York, July, 1818.

DOMESTIC.

HE Lyceum of Natural History, in Catalogue of the indigenous plants grow ing in the vicinity of the city of New-York. CHARLES GALLAUDET, New-York, proposes to publish The Miscellaneous Works of Dr. Benjamin Franklin.

SCHAEFFER & MAUND, Baltimore, propose to publish a weekly paper, entitled Journal of the Times; to be edited by PAUL ALLEN, Esq.

ISAAC PEIRCE, Philadelphia, has published "A brief Memoir of the Life of William Penn, compiled for the use of young persons, by Priscilla Wakefield."

TANNER, VALLANCE, KEARNEY & Co. Philadelphia, have published a two sheet Map of South-America, including the West-Indies.

EDDY & KEMMEL, Shawanee Town, Illinois, have commenced issuing a newspaper.

Mr. J. JOHNSON, Wilmington, Del. has constructed an improved Diving Drum,

and light for working under water. He enjoys a constant renewal of respirable air, and is supplied with the means of conversation with those persons who may be at the surface of the water.

Arrangements are making to establish an Agricultural Society in Gennesee, N. Y. An Agricultural Society has been_organized in the district of Maine. The Hon. Judge Wilde is President.

· The Oneida Indians, in this state, have formed amongst themselves an AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Gen. WILSON has sent to the President of the Lyceum, a curious specimen of Amber, which occurred at Crosswicks, not far from Trenton, New-Jersey. It is figured by the mineralized wood, and filled by the marine shells of the stratum in which it was found.