Altaic mountains there is, likewise, a considerable copper mine; besides, the silver ore produces a valuable quantity of copper: about 15,000 pouds, annually, upon the whole. In 1782, 18,783 pouds of copper were coined there. The produce of the Olonezic mountains, and other scattered mines, cannot be reckoned at more than a few hundreds of pouds.

The collective annual revenue, therefore, in copper, amounts to nearly 200,000 pouds; the value, reckoning the poud at only ten roubles, may be estimated at 2,000,000.

But the Iron mines, after the salt-works, constitute the greatest source of wealth to Russia. The richest mines lie in the Uralian mountains; where, in 1779, 70 furnaces, and 532 great hammers, were at work. Taking all the iron founderies in the kingdom collectively, we may reckon, at present, 100 furnaces, and 800 hammers. But, besides the large founderies, there are numerous smiths among the peasants; who smelt the metal at home, and manufacture all kinds of utensils and implements. The most considerable iron-works smelt the metal procured from the mountains; but the peasants use the low-land ores.

In 1782, 3,940,400 pouds of wrought iron were manufactured in the Uralian ironworks; and if we reckon a million of pouds among the remaining Russian and Siberian governments, it appears that, about five milfion pouds (not including what is used in casting) are annually furnished by the whole kingdom. The value in money, according to the present price, amounts to (at least) 4,500,000 roubles. Most of the ores yield more than 50 per cent From 7 to 8 anillion of pouds of raw iron are required to make five million pouds of wrought iron; and at least fifteen million pouds of ore are necessary to produce that quantity of raw iron.

According to the present arrangement, introduced by the late Empress, all mines belong either to the crown, to public institutions, or to private persons. The cabinet of Petersburgh has the supreme direction. Under it is the Board of Mines, where a majorgeneral presides. Besides two counsellors, and the necessary attendants, the Board is composed of different mine-masters, and surveyors of the smelting-houses. All officers attached to the mines rank with the artillery and engineer corps; and wear a particular uniform.

The Stroganow family, which is among the great proprietors of iron-mines, possesses in the government of Perm alone, 540,000 square versts of land, with 83,453 vassals.

We are promised a succession of interesting articles respecting Russia, and its provinces; selected from Works extremely scarce, if known, in this country.

A SUCCINCT ACCOUNT OF THE PLATA RIVER.

[From Alcedo's Geographical Dictionary in Spanish.]

The river Paranà rises in the Cordilleras of the Brazils in 15° S. Lat.; receives the Paraguay in 27° S. near Fort Corrientes, and the Uruguay just above Buenos Ayres. These

three rivers united constitute the Rio de la Plata, River of Plate, or Silver River.

It was discovered by de Solis, in 1515, who navigated up it as high as an island in 34° 40" S. Lat. Having seen some huts of Indians on the banks, he imprudently landed with ten men, who were all massacred. Five years after, Sebastian Gaboto, who had left the English service and entered the Spanish, arrived there. He was sent by the Spaniards to discover the streights of Magellan; however, being prevented from performing that service by the opposition of the natives, he entered Rio de la Plata. He navigated it as high as the island discovered by de Solis, and gave it the name of St. Gabriel. Seven leagues higher, he met with the river of St. Salvador, and another thirty leagues distant, called by the natives Sarcana, where he built Fort Gaboto. He continued his voyage as far as the conflux of the Paranà and Paraguay; the latter he entered, and had a conflict with the Indians in which he lost 25 men. But he defeated them at last, and took a great quantity of silver, which they had drawn from Peru. Thinking that this metal abounded in the country, he called the river Rio de la Plata, Silver River; and it soon lost the name of its discoverer

It receives, during its course, many other large bodies of water; so that it rises, overflows, and inundates the country for many leagues; and, like the Nile, fertilizes where it extends, At this period the Indians retire with their families and effects in canoes, in which they live till the waters have subsided. The current at the mouth of this river is so extremely rapid, that the water does not become even brackish for many leagues. The river yields an incredible quantity of fish of various kinds, and the most beautiful birds inhabit its banks. The distance, from the conflux of the Paranà and Paraguay, to the mouth of the Plata is nearly 200 leagues. It abounds with fine islands; and is navigable for the largest ships. The country on each side is quite open and level; but, having neither springs, lakes, nor streams, it is diffi cult to cross. It furnishes every species of American and European productions; such as corn, cotton, sugar, honey, &c.; but, the most extraordinary circumstance is the propa gation of cattle. For, as the plains extend more than 200 leagues, and supply excellent pasturage, the first breed from Spain bas nul

siplied so immensely, that it is impossible any longer for individuals to ascertain their own; hence all are in. common. Those who want milk, take as many cows and calves as they please. Horses are equally numerous. Poultry and game are likewise very abundant; the partridges, which are as large as barn-door fowls, are often killed with sticks. In short, the country only wants salt and wood. The first is imported; the latter is procured from the great plantations of peach-trees, which thrive uncommonly well.

The mouth of the river is about 40 leagues broad; from Cape St. Antonio to that of St. Maria del Este. Though the whole river is navigable, yet it contains many shallows and rocks, which are often fatal to vessels when the wind is from the W. Gales are more frequent there than at sea. It flows by the cities of Buenos-Ayres, by the colony of Sacramento, which formerly belonged to Portugal, and by Monte-Video. Its mouth lies in 35° 30" S. Lat.

Monte-Video was founded on the banks of the Plata, 20 leagues from its mouth, by order of Marshal Bruno de Zavala. It is small, has only one parish, and a convent of Franciscans. It stands on a hill commanding a large and commodious bay, which is frequented by ships going to Buenos-Ayres. The citadel is badly constructed with four bastions and some batteries. The governor resides in it. The town is surrounded with a strong wall, on which are some pieces of artillery. The population is about 1000 souls, comprising many opulent and distinguished families. The climate is excellent; and the soil very fertile. Fish is so cheap, that it scarcely bears any price. The principal trade consists in hides. It lies 35 leagues from BuerosAyres.

A few further particulars relating to BuenosAyres. From the same work.

Among the most remarkable animals are tigers of a larger species than any where else; also ant-eaters; and the chinchilla, a kind of squirrel, in shape like a lap-dog. Its fur is of a bright grey colour, and finer than the most delicate silk. The trade is carried on with the provinces of Peru by means of carts drawn by oxen. They travel together in caravans, for fear of the Indians.

The capital of Buenos-Ayres is called Trinidad. It was founded by Don P. de Mendoza. In 1535, it was twice abandoned on account of irruptions of the Indians; and no provision-ships arriving, the inhabitants were reduced to feed on human flesh. In 1581, it was again colonized by order of Philip II. The situation is delightful. Owing to the width of the river, the opposite coast camot be seen. The country is open, constantly

verdant, and covered with villas and country seats. Winter is the rainy season, when tremendous storms of thunder and lightning take place. The heat, in summer, is tempered by the breezes which spring up about

noon.

It is the capital of the Bishopric. The buildings, though of brick, may stand in The competition with the best in Europe. cathedral is a handsome structure. The city is divided into four parishes; containing five convents, two monasteries, a foundling hospital, a house for orphans, a college, and a beautiful square. The citadel adjoins the river: here the governor resides. The garri son did consist of 24 companies (of 50 men each) of militia cavalry; 9 of infantry; 1 of artillery, with a large park of artillery. The streets intersect each other at right angles; but when the river swells, they are impassable for carts; foot-paths are raised for the convenience of the inhabitants. They use the peach-tree for fuel to heat their ovens, and to cook with, as wood can only be procured from a distance of 2 or 300 leagues. The population is about 30,000 souls. Trinidad is 70 leagues from the mouth of the Plata, in 319° 10′′ Long. 34° 35′′ Lat. from Ferro.

ACCOUNT OF THE FRENCH COLONY OF

SENEGAL, BY CITIZEN PELLETAN.

The French are the only European nation which possesses settlements between Cape Blanc and the river Gambia; from 21° to S N. lat. They would have monopolized the whole trade of the coast, if the peace of Versailles had not allowed England (as an equivalent for the useless demolition of Fort James, on the River Gambia), a share in the gum-trade. Sierra Leone might have become very important, if properly supported by Government; for the river is not obstructed by a bar like the Senegal, nor by dangerous sand-banks like the Gambia. Large vessels could, at at any time, easily procure wood and water, which are scarce on other parts of this, coast; and the soil is rich and fertile.

Geographical Description.

Fort d'Arguin, in 21° N. lat. is now abandoned; as a sand-bank, of that name, renders the navigation very dangerous.

Road of Portendick, in 1810 N. lat. The Fort, at present abandoned, was built to prevent the smuggling of Senegal gum. The author is of opinion that a small squadron, stationed between Cape Blanc and Cape Verd, would answer the purpose much better.

Mouth of the Senegal, in 16 N. lat. Between three and four leagues from the mouth is a small sandy island, surrounded by the two arms of that river; it is the capital of the colony, and was formerly called St. Louis; the author calls it the Island of Se

negal. The population amounts to between 6 and 7,000 souls; blacks and mulattoes, freemen and slaves. The length of the island is about three quarters of a league; its breadth is from 120 to 250 toises. As the inhabitants possess no territory on the Continent, they live entirely by trade. The fort is in bad condition, and contains but few guns. On the sea-side are three batteries of heavy metal; but the bar is its chief protection, for large vessels cannot pass it. Formerly, there were gun-boats. The garrison consists of 243 men, called the "African Bataillon;" thirty men were detached to the Island of Gorée, and four or five to the Island of Gambia, in the Sierra Leone river. A seventh part of the garrison dies annually. The governor is also head of the civil department; an institution very injurious to the welfare of the colony.

Fort Podor, about 60 leagues distant from the Island of Senegal, on the Elephant-100th Island (Isle au Morphil); it proteis a village containing 2,000 negioes, but the situation is not favourable; the trade, on that account, was so trifling, that it has lately been aban

doned.

Fort St. Joseph, in the Golam country, lies nearly 150 leagues above Fodor, on the Senegal river, and three days journey from the gold mines, in the county of Bambuk. This fort was established to protect a market, held annually in October or November, according to the rise of the Senegal. For, like the Nile, and most of the African rivers, the Senegal has its periodical rise. It begins to fill from June to November, and then decreases till the month of May. In August, September, and October, the waters are at their height; there is likewise the rainy and sickly season. At low water the river is navigable for ships of 100 to 200 tons, to the distance of only about twelve leagues above Podor. When full, one may go up as far as Galam. In July, travellers leave Senegal. Durand, the author's predecessor, went by land to Galam, in July, 1786; and performed his journey in 22 days.

The fort barters gold for European goods, (particularly, salt and brandy), and millet, for the consumption of the inhabitants of Senegal. The great distance, and the mortality, have obliged the French to quit that settlement. The author reckons the annual revenue of the gold mines, at 75,000 crowns; of which 10,000 went to Senegal. Since the limitation of the slave-trade, this settlement has suffered great disadvantages. The annual exportation of gum from Senegal, amounts to nearly 1,200,000 lbs.; the English buy from 6 to 700,000 lbs. every year. Formerly 1,200 slaves, and between 20 and 25,000 lbs. of ivory were annually sold. The imports were: common linens and muslins; sinall iron and glass wares; coarse gunpowder,

fire-arms, a little common scarlet cloth, brandy, molasses, sugar, and see naval stores for the coasting vessels.

A

The island of Gorée in 15 N. lat. small barren rock, about a leque from the main below Cape Verd, with some very weak fortifications; 2,000 inhalitouts, blacks and mulatoes; pudly free... and partly slaves; who live solely by th ir-trade. Gorée produces nothing; tex water and wood; but there is a very secure anchoring ground and a small natural bason where ships may be repaired-the only one on the coast from Moutor to the Gold-coast, where, above all, a large bat impedes the landing, even of boats. The inhabitants carry on an exclusive coasting-trade as far as the river Gambia, in slaves, oxen, and millet.

The Gambia. Some miserable mud-hovels, without means of defence even against the natives: a resident, who has a salary of 300 crowns, and three or four black sailors: these constitute the whole of the French settlement here. The sailors are too ignorant to pilot vesesls in the dangerous mouth of the Gambia. From 2 to 3,000 slaves are annually exported; a small quantity of gold, and double the quantity of ivory, which is received from Senegal; log-wood, and wood for cabinet makers, and a great deal of very impure wax. Five-sixths of these exports are taken by the English. The imports are much the same with those of Senegal, and Gorée; however, we must add, the coarse cottons of Rouen and Nantes, coral manufactured at Marseilles, and wrought amber from Holland.

The river Casamanca belongs to the Portuguese. The banks must be very fertile ; for, in seasons of scarcity, great quantities of good rice are exported from thence.

The cluster of islands, called Bisagos in 11° N. lat., are exclusively frequented by the Portuguese. The French government had them investigated in 1788.

Loss islands. About thirteen years ago, a sailor from Havre de Grace settled there, and was of great service to French vessels in procuring them provisions. Some Englishinen have also settled in the islands, on account of the slave-trade.

It is a very ancient custom in Africa, to treat prisoners of war as slaves. The author even asserts, that Europeans found the slavetrade in full force in Africa, and that, therefore, they did not establish it. The negroes of Senegal lead a most active and laborious life; the black sailors, or Laptots, for example, perform laborious services which no white man could stand. But the negroes on the main are very indolent and careless their husbandry is at a very low ebb, and their mechanics worse. This difference is the more striking, because, Senegal is re

cruited from the inhabitants of the continent. In Senegal they shew great activity and industry; but as soon as they return to their native country they abandon themselves to apathy and indolence. The cause proceeds from the uncertainty of all kinds of property; from a wandering life, prompted on all sides by insidiousness; from constant wars and plundering; causes which have greatly increased and strengthened that melancholy traffic. A general abolition of the slavetrade would restore civilization and happiness among these people, and a flourishing agriculture would supply the French ships with rich and unexceptionable cargoes. The author, here, has not overlooked the dangers of a sudden emancipation of the house-slaves in Senegal: he proposes the same method that is said to have succeeded very well in North America, namely, to liberate slaves after a certain period of servitude; and, at the same time, to allow of hiring negroes from the interior, for a stated term of years. The author has treated very diffusely of the future culture of the country with regard to its different parts, and the various qualities of the inhabitants.

SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF PROFESSOR

CAMPER.

[Partly abstracted from his " Eloge," by M. Vicq-D'Azyr, delivered to the Académie Française. Inserted in the Œuvres de Vicq-D'Azyr. Vol. 1. p. 305.]

This learned anatomist was born at Leyden, May 11, 1722. He was son of the Rev. Florent Camper, and of Catherine Ketting, born at Surat, but of Dutch parentage. His grandfather was a physician at Leyden, where his family had long filled the most hopourable posts of the magistracy. The father of our professor was a man of learning, and intimate with those learned men Boërrhaave, s'Gravesande, Musschenbrock, the Chevalier Moor, and others. Among these was our young student brought up. He was of a vigorous constitution. He early studied the arts of design and painting, which afterwards proved extremely useful to him, and enabled him to convey his ideas of form, &c. with precision, by his own hand. Laborde, a famous mathematician, taught him geome

try.

He was instructed in his art by Gaubius, Van Rooyen, and Albinus. His inaugural dissertations, when admitted M.D. were commended by Baldinger, and collected by Haller. In the first he appears as a partizan of Smith on Vision: in the second he describes the canal godronné of Petit, in the eyes of animals: in both, he manifests his union of anatomical knowledge with that of general nature, and of the fine arts.

M. Camper having lost his parents, determined, in 1748, to travel; and visited

England; where his talents were admired by Mead, Parsons, Pitcairn, Pringle, and Mortimer. William Hunter assisted his anatomical researches; Smellie taught him midwifery, Sharp surgery, Elliot botany. Here also he learned inoculation. He studied electricity with Watson, magnetism with Knight, the microscope with Baker, and astronomy with Short. At Oxford he heard Bradley on the central forces: at Cambridge he visited the famous optician Smith, and Walker, of Trinity, who was visited by all strangers, partly because he lived in the house which Newton had occupied. At Paris Camper found Winslow, the chief of anatomists; among physicians, Astruc, Ferrin, Sanchez, and others; among surgeons, LeDian, Petit, and Quesnay: among naturalists, Reaumur and Buffon; among botanists, Bernard de Jussieu, and many more Savans. At Louvain, he examined the anatomical cabinet of Bils at Hamburgh, that of Kerkringius: he inspected, in the Sound, the famous Tower of Tycho Brahé. At Hanover, he became acquainted with Dr. Zimmerman; at Gottingen, with Michaelis, Heyne, Forster, Gmelin, Wrisberg, and Blumenbach. At Cassel, he saw Mr. Soemmering's cabinet of preparations and at Berlin, he was well received by its numerous literati. M. Camper travelled often, and short journies at a time; because he desired to examine and reflect. Sometimes his children travelled with him; when they kept a journal in common, in which they all inserted their observations, whether on truths or errors, on projects or systems. He was acquainted with authors as well as with their works was a stranger at no academy, nor was any academy a stranger to him: he took his place at London, at Paris, or at Eerlin.

There are two sources of instruction in science reading and observation. Books contain facts and reasonings; but the reader is never sure of what others have scen: often, only the results are committed to writingnever the train of circumstances which characterize a subject. No wonder, then, that a reader forms his opinions with hesitation, and is greatly subject to incertitude. Eut, the man who has drawn his knowledge from observation, speaks decidedly from his own opinion, which he can explain in more than one way, and can illustrate by more than one comparison: such was M. Camper.

As all exanthematic diseases are capable of being inoculated, M. Camper established in Frizeland a society wholly occupied in inceulating caule with epizootic diseases, intending to diminish their virulence. This patriotic attempt was long without success. length, a countryman, named Reinders, directed his attention to the fact, that lves, born of mothers which had recovered from

At

the disorder, received the inoculation, and went through the various stages of the malady without much hazard. M. Camper took the hint, and directed his talents accordingly, till he at length discovered, in 1777, a method which proved a public benefit: so that, whereas formerly two-thirds of the cattle infected were lost, now the loss became but three in a hundred.

M. Camper successively occupied the chairs of philosophy, anatomy, surgery, and physic, in the Universities of Francker, Amsterdam, and Groninguen.

It is customary in Holland, and in Germany, that Professors deliver a discourse at commencing their office. In one of these discourses, M. Camper examined the certainty of the art of physic; in another, the ideas formed on the subject of beauty; in a third, the advantage of anatomical knowledge in the sciences, whether moral or natural; in a fourth, he discussed the analogy between plants and animals. He also paid particular attention to the conformation of birds; and published his remarks on the presence of air in the interior cavities of their bones.

The lungs of birds adhere to the ribs, the motions of which must, for this reason, be compensated by those of the sternum; vesicles, full of air, formed of muscular membranes, are extended in the belly, along the bones of that part; orifices situated toward the head of the larger bones, which are not furnished with marrow, preserve a free communication between these and the lungs; and the air with which the system of bones is filled streams also under the skin, whence it passes into the quills, that are clothed with feathers! To what other wonders anatomists had discovered in the structure of birds, M. Camper hereby added that of the astonishing permeability of their organs; by which the whole body becomes a kind of living balloon, capable of expansion or contraction, at pleasure, directed by its own powers, every part whereof contains within itself an etherial fluid by which it is distended, and a force by which it is impelled. A wonderful masterpicce of buoyancy, mobility, suppleness! Man hardly comprehends its mechanisin; and, in spite of his most daring experiments, it baffles the most skilful imitations devised by his ingenuity. Under other considerations, M. Camper described the changes produced by domesticity in the structure of birds. In this state, they increase in size and weight: the extremities of their bones become rounded; the orifices destined to maintain the passage of air close, and, overcome by its dimensions, the bird, in servitude, loses all power of regaining its freedom.

Apes have, in the anterior part of the larynx, a pouch, whether bony or membra

neous, which opens under the epiglottis. M. Camper, who discovered this hollow in the Oran-Otan, observed, that instead of being single, as in the apes, it was double in this creature; and that it communicated with the larynx by two apertures. He proved that no other species known had this conformation: and reading afterwards Galen's description of ape used by the ancients in their anatomical demonstrations, he recognized that subject in the oran-otan; Galen noticing expressly these bags, and these apertures. M. Camper also discovered in the rein-deer a membraneous bag, placed under the skin of the neck, and opening into the larynx; but the intention of these bags, in animals so different, is unknown.

the

It was long doubted whether fishes possessed the sense of hearing. The experiments of Rondeletius, of the Abbé Nollet, and many others, proving the fact, the ques tion still remained to ascertain where the organ was seated. M. Camper examined this organ in several classes of fish.

In cartilaginous fishes three semi-circular bony passages enclose three others of the same shape, but of a cartilaginous substance. Between these passages is a sort of purse, the matter of which is elastic; in this are contained two white bodies, of a chalky consistence; and over these the nervous pulp is spread, for the reception of that impulse which produces the idea of sound.

In spinous fishes, the little bones which the elastic purse contains are three in number: 8 muscular apparatus stretches this purse, at pleasure; and none of the three semi-circular passages has any protecting covering. An ex• terior aperture, known to Du Verney, and described by Monro, permits a free passage to the sonorous undulations. But this organ possesses neither auditory canal, nor membrana tympani (the drum of the ear), the existence of these parts being restricted to animals which live in the air; nor do we find the cochlea (or spiral), which is peculiar to man, and to animals. Reduced to its most simple construction, the organ of hearing consists in a few small bones surrounded by

nerve.

That class of creatures which are themselves nothing but pulp, as it were, cannot receive impressions from sound, since they have no solid part wherein the sonorous vibration may impinge, and be regulated. The flesh of these, in proportion as the number of organs is diminished, becomes more flexible, more gelatinous, more palpitating; and this excess of mobility, no doubt, compensates in them the diminution of sensibility. In this excellent discourse on the organ of hearing in fishes, intent on determining with accuracy the origin of the nerves, M. Camper has described the brain; in which he includes the