drawing it. The width is in general determined by that of the common gun barrel, but may be increased to a certain degree. I have had the thick part of a gun barrel so much enlarged by hammering it thinner, as to contain twice as much iron turnings and potash, and have employed it with success. But, on the other hand, there are limits to this extension of width, arising from the increased difficulty of making the heat penetrate throughout. The opening of the barrels at the top must be covered with a cap or wide tube, which being at a distance from the fire need only be fastened with sealing wax; but for the greater security of keeping this part cool, the whole of the tube which is out of the fire should be wrapped round with linen or blotting-paper kept wet. The opening of the wide tube must be closed with a cork, having a crooked tube of glass through it, containing a drop of mercury, which being moved by the passage of the air, shews that the vessels are perfectly tight.' In this mode, as in the common one, a very strong heat is necessary to be kept up for near an hour, and to enable the barrel to support it, a coating of lute, carefully applied, is necessary. Mr. T. recommends the lute to be made of a mixture of Stourbridge clay, with a larger proportion of the same clay burnt and pulverized. On the Influence of the Nerves upon the Action of the Arteries. By Sir Everard Home, Bart. F. R.S. The facts which form the basis of this communication are not numerous, but the evidence they afford of the action of the arteries being under the influence of the nerves, is tolerably conclusive. The carotid artery of several animals was laid bare, and the nervous bundle formed by the intercostal nerve and parvagum was separated by a probe being introduced under it; it was then touched by a solution of caustic potash at the part which passed over the probe, and the effect, as remarked by several competent observers, was a considerable increase in the force of action of the artery, which continued several minutes. A few experiments were also made to ascertain the relative power of heat and cold, as stimulants to the nervous system, one arm being surrounded by bladders filled with ice, and the other immersed in water heated to 120° or 130°, beyond which the heat could not be borne. The stroke of the pulse in the arm which was surrounded with ice, was distinctly the most vigorous, that of the heated arm being comparatively soft and weak. This experiment was made on several individuals with uniform results. On the Means of producing a double Distillation by the same Heat. By Smithson Tennant, Esq. F. R. S. The economical application of the heat employed in distilla tion proposed in this paper, depends upon the well known fact, that the removal of the pressure of the atmosphere occasions all liquids to boil at a much lower temperature than under the common atmospheric pressure. To effect a second or double distillation by the same lieat, it is only necessary, therefore, that the water employed to condense the steam of the first distillation, should be inclosed in a vessel made perfectly air tight, and supplied with stop cocks. These are to be closed as soon as the atmospheric pressure has been removed by the formation of steam, to effect which the assistance of additional heat is necessary, in the first instance, but it is no longer wanted after the stop cocks have been closed. When this has been effected, the heat supplied by the condensation of the steam of the first distillation will carry on the second process; and if proper precautions are used to prevent the escape of heat from the surface of the apparatus, about three-fourths of the quantity obtained by the first distillation may be procured by the second. In situations, therefore, where fuel is expensive, it is obvious that the improvement suggested by Mr. T. might be adopted with advantage. An Account of some Experiments on Animal Heat. By John Davy, M. D. F. R. S. The experiments detailed in this communication, refer to the relative capacities of venous and arterial blood for heat, to their comparative temperature in the living animal, and the temperature of different parts of the animal body. These are inquiries obviously of primary importance in reference to the true theory of animal temperature, though the want of correspondence in some of the results obtained by different experimentalists, still leaves the subject open to further investigation. Dr. Davy, for example, states, that in all his experiments he found the temperature of arterial higher than that of venous blood, (generally by two or three degrees,) and the temperature of the left ventricle of the heart higher than that of the right; while the observations of Mr. Astley Cooper and of Mr. Coleman stand directly opposed to them, though their competency as observers is most unquestionable. The general conclusions of Dr. Davy from his experiments, are That there is no material difference between venous and arterial blood in respect to specific caloric, excepting what arises from difference of specific gravity; that the temperature of arterial is higher than that of venous blood, and the temperature of the left side of the heart than that of the right; and lastly, that the temperature of parts diminishes, as the distance of the parts from the heart increases. These conclusions (he observes,) are evidently in direct opposition to Dr. Crawford's hypothesis; the essence of which is, that the сара city of arterial blood for heat is greater than that of venous, that there is no difference of temperature between the two ventricles of the heart, and in fact that the heat of all parts is nearly the same. They are more agreeable to, and indeed they even support the hypothesis of Dr. Black, that animal heat is produced in the lungs, and distributed over the whole system by means of the arterial blood.' Dr. D. remarks too, that he considers the results of his experiments as not inconsistent with the more recent hypothesis which refers the production of animal heat to the nervous system, as deduced from some experiments of Mr. Brodie. On this subject we may be permitted to remark, that the theory which refers the source of animal temperature to the function of respiration, appears to us to be a philosophical induction from established and incontestable facts, while that which attributes it to the agency of the nervous system, is unsatisfactory, since it leaves the temperature itself unaccounted for. We know that in every other instance in which carbon and oxygen enter into combination, sensible caloric is evolved; we know that in the lungs of every living animal the combination of these principles is perpetually going on by means of respiration; we can calculate with the most perfect accuracy the quantity of carbon which is thus removed from the animal economy in any given period of time; it is demonstrable that the heat thus proved to be evolved, is sufficient to maintain the temperature of the animal body, and the evidence that this is the true source of animal temperature appears, therefore, as complete and satisfactory as the subject admits of. And to place the imperfectly developed investigations on the influence of the nervous system which have been as yet made, in competition with a theory which is so firmly supported, is perfectly unphilosophical. Whatever may be the influence which the progress of physiological inquiry may prove to belong to the nervous system, in controlling the distribution of animal heat to particular parts or organs, we have no hesitation in expressing our conviction, that its primary source must be sought in the function of respiration. Erratum at Page 490, line 3 from bottom-For justly read partly. ART. XI. SELECT LITERARY INFORMATION. *Gentlemen and Publishers who have works in the press, will oblige the Conductors of the ECLECTIC REVIEW, by sending Information (post paid) of the subject, extent, and probable price of such works; which they may depend upon being communicated to the Public, if consistent with its plan. In the press, and nearly ready for publication, a new edition, beautifully printed, of that splendid work, the Heads of illustrious Persons of Great Britain, with the Lives and Characters of each Person. By Thomas Birch, A.M. F.R.S. The whole of the Portraits, 108 in number, were originally engraved by the celebrated Houbraken and Vertue. The greater part of a' century has elapsed since the publication of the original edition, the scarcity of which, and the high price it now bears, together with the increasing avidity with which copies that occasionally occur for sale are sought after, will, it is presumed, be thought a sufficient apology for the appearance of a new edition. No expense has been spared in the execution; the plates have undergone a careful and minute revision by a celebrated engraver, who has spent upwards of three years in restoring them to their original splendour, at an expense of upwards of two thousand pounds. The greatest care has also been taken of the typographical part, which will be finished in the first style of modern printing, on a superior royal folio paper, manufactured solely for this Work. A few copies are printing in imperial folio. Proposals are issued for publishing, in 4 vols. 8vo. the whole Works of the Rev. Oliver Heywood, B.A. with a new and enlarged Account of his Life, with much interesting matter from his MSS. a beautiful engraving of the Author, Facsimile of his Handwriting, copions Index, &c. &c. By the Rev., Richard Slate, of Stand, near Manchester, and the Rev. William Farmer, of Leeds. We are happy to learn that the Franklin Manuscripts are now to be immediately brought before the Public. They consist of the Dr's. Life, written by himself to a late period, and continued by his Grandson and Legatee, William Temple Franklin, Esq. to the time of his Death; his private and familiar Correspondence, Posthumous Essays, &c. &c. The fourth volume of Stuart and Revett's Antiquities of Athens, &c. is just published, edited by Joseph Woods, Architect. This volume contains 88 Plates, besides 15 Vignettes, engraved by the best Artists, uniformly with the preceding volumes; together with historical and descriptive accounts of the several subjects; also a portrait of Mr. Revett, from a picture painted by himself, and engraved in the line manner, by Isaac Taylor, and Memoirs of the Lives of the Authors. Messrs. Stuart and Revett being detained at Venice, in their way to Athens, made an excursion to Pola, where they passed six months in measuring the subjects, and in making the drawings, which are now submitted to the Public; and which formed a part of their original scheme of publication. The first three volumes of the Antiquities of Athens, &c. containing 281 plates, may be had, price 171. 17s. in boards. The Dictionary of Iving Painters, Sculptors, Engravers, &c. forming a Companion to the Dictionary of Living Authors, will appear in the course of a few weeks. The Narrative of a Ten Years Residence at the Court of Tripoly, from the original Correspondence in the possession of the Family of the late Richard Tully, Esq. the British Consul, is nearly ready for publication. Dr. Duncan, senior, of Edinburgh, is preparing for the press, a new edition of his Observations on the distinguishing Symptoms of three different Species of Pulmonary Consumption, the Catarrhal, the Apostematous, and the Tuberculous.-The Appendix, in which he gave some account of an Opiate Medicine, prepared from common Garden Lettuce, and which he has denominated Lactucarium, will be considerably enlarged, with Observations communicated to him by several of his Friends who have employed it in Practice. Mr. C. S. Gilbert will soon publish, in two royal quarto volumes, an Histo rical Survey of Cornwall, illustrated by numerous engravings, from drawings by Mr. H. Parker, jun. The Rev. And. Thompson, of Edinburgh, has nearly ready for publication, Lectures, Expository and Practical, on Select Portions of Scripture, in two octavo volumes. Mr. Scoresby has in the press, the History of East and West Greenland, and the Northern Whale Fishery. The seventh and eighth volumes of Campbell's Lives of the Admirals, commenced by the late Henry Redhead Yorke, are now in the press, and will complete that work early in the ensuing summer. Dr. P. Kelly will soon publish an Es. say on Weights and Measures, ancient and modern, with remarks on the principles and provisions of the Bill now before Parliament. Dr. Adams is preparing for the press, Memoirs of the Life, Doctrine, and Opinions of the late John Hunter, Founder of the Hunterian Museum at the College of Surgeons in London. Nearly ready for publication, a new edition, carefully revised, of that valuable Work for Students and Biblical Scholars, Harmer's Observations on divers Passages of Scripture, drawn up by the Help of Books of Voyages and Travels to the East. Edited by Adam Clarke, LL.D. F.A.S. A new Work by Miss Taylor, Author of "Display," is in the press, and will appear in a few days. The Rev. Harvey Marriott will publish early in May, a new and corrected edition of a Course of Practical Sermons, expressly adapted to be read in Families. A new edition of Mrs. Taylor's Present of a Mistress to a young Servant, is in the press. In the press, a Voyage round the World, from 1806 to 1812; in which Japan, Kamschatka, the Aleutian Islands, and the Sandwich Islands, were visited. Including a Narrative of the Author's Shipwreck on the Islands of Sannaek, and his subsequent wreck in the Ship's Long-boat. With an Account of the present State of the Sandwich Islands, and a Vocabulary of their Language. By Archibald Campbell. Illustrated by a Chart. 8vo. Mr. Allen's Work, entitled Modern Judaism, announced some time ago, is expected to be published in the course of the present month. Speedily will be published, Letters to a Nobleman, proving a late Prime Minister to have been Junius, and developing the secret Motives which induced him to write under that and other Signatures with an Appendix, containing a celebrated Case published by Almon in 1768. The MS. Pentateuch noticed in the last number, had its length erroneously stated, the two volumes, or double roll, being 159 feet long; and it is in excellent preservation. The Rev. Dr. Hawker has nearly completed his valuable Commentary on the Old and New Testaments, with the Text at large. Part 37 is just published, and the Work will not make more than 40 Parts, the whole of which will be published in the ensuing Spring. An edi tion of a smaller size, without the text, is also published on a very cheap scale. In the press, an elegant Work on Scripture Genealogy, consisting of thirtyfive engraved tables, exhibiting the correct Genealogy of Scripture from Adam to Christ, to be accompanied with descriptive letter-press, and comprised in one volume royal quarto. The small vignettes which are introduced into the work, are extremely curious, and executed in a masterly style. The first and second Parts have appeared of the Encyclopedia Edinensis, a Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Miscellaneous Literature, in six vols. 4to, Conducted by James Millar, M.D. Editor of the fourth, and greater part of the fifth editions of the Encyclopedia Britannica, with the assistance of the principal Contributors to that Work, on a plan which, by abridging what is not generally useful, and treating at greater length the more important branches of knowledge, is likely to be more popular, and to do more for useful science, than any other work of a similar description. Mr. N. Rogers has in the press, in one vol, royal 12mo. Lectures on the Elements of Evangelical Religion, in which several important Differences between modern Arminians and Calvinists are impartially considered, with a view to promote mutual Forbearance. Mr. Haskins of Holywell, near Watford, has in the press a Poem, in two Cantos, on the Battle of Waterloo, which will be published in the ensuing month. Mr. Bruce of the Isle of Wight, has in the press, a neat duodecimo volume, |