formed a journey of six hundred miles, without losing a single man or horse, while the latter lost most of his horses, and several of his men.

TIDES AND METEOROLOGY.

We make the following extracts from an article in the last number of Silliman's Journal of Science, relative to tides and meteorology, by W. C. REDfield, of this city, who after recapitulating some of the evidence showing the absence of the usual tides at the Society Islands, and in some other parts of the Pacifick ocean, continues as follows:

sarily, but, in some cases, disorders the digestive of summer, and rested all night-the other slept ir organs, and, in most, produces a sort of artificial the daytime, and marched during the evening and sleep, far less conducive to health, than that brought part of the night. The result was, that the first per on by natural means. According to some writers, it has also a tendency to induce water in the head, a circumstance which I think possible, although I never knew a case of that disease which could be traced to such a source. The cradle, then, should be abandoned, so far as the rocking is concerned, and the child simply lulled to repose in the nurse's arms, and then deposited quietly in bed. Sleep will often be induced by gently scratching or rubbing the top of the child's head. This fact is well known to some nurses, by whom the practice is had recourse to for the purpose of provoking slumber in restless children. For the first month of their existence, children sleep almost continually, and they should be permitted to do so, for at this early age they cannot slumber too much: calm and long-continued sleep is a favourable symptom, and ought to be cherished rather than prevented, during the whole period of infancy. When, however, a child attains the age of three or four months, we should endeavour to inanage so that its periods of wakefulness may occur in the daytime, instead of at night. By proper care, a child may be made to sleep at almost any hour; and, as this is always an object of importance, it should be sedulously attended to in the rearing of children. Until about the third year, they require a little sleep in the middle of the day, and pass half their time in sleep. Every succeeding year, till they attain the age of seven, the period allotted to repose should be shortened one hour, so that a child of that age may pass nine hours or thereabouts, out of the twentyfour, in a state of sleep. Children should never be awakened suddenly, or with a noise, in consequence of the terrour and starting which such a method of arousing them produces neither should they be brought all at once from a dark room into a strong glare of light, lest their eyes be weakened, and permanent injury inflicted upon these organs.

The position in which children sleep requires to be carefully attended to. Sir Charles Bell mentions that the eneuresis infantum, with which they are so often affected, frequently arises from lying upon the back, and that it will be removed or prevented by accustoming them to lie on the side. It is also of the greatest importance, that they be kept sufficiently warm. I believe that many infantile diseases arise from the neglect of this precaution. Children have little power of evolving heat; on this account, when delicate they should never be permitted to sleep alone, but made to lie with the nurse, that they may receive warmth from her body.

It must, therefore, be admitted, that there is a suspension or neutralization of the lunar tide-wave in the region in which those islands are situated. We find, too, that in the Atlantick it is high-water on the coast of Surinam about five o'clock on the days of the new and full of the moon, and the flood runs to the westward. At the windward islands of the West Indies, the tide is some one or two hours later, and, though exposed to the whole tide range of the Atlantick, the tides are very weak and irreg. ular, not rising more than at the Society Islands. On the southern coast of the United States, and at the island of Bermuda, in the Atlantick, it is highwater about seven o'clock, the flood tide in the offing at the latter place running to the northeast. On the southern coast of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, it is high-water from seven to eight o'clock, On the southeastern coast of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, it is high-water from eight to nine o'clock, the flood tide off the latter coast also running northeastwardly. At the Azores, or Western Islands, in lat. 38 deg. N., near the middle of the Atlantick, it is high-water about 12 o'clock, and the flood runs to the eastward. Finally, it is high-water on the western coasts of Ireland and Spain about two o'clock— all on the same days. These statements are approximated from the American Coast Pilot, and other authorities, care being taken to avoid the retarding effects of local obstructions as far as possible, by timing from the most extraneous positions of coast, towards the open ocean.

Viewing these phenomena in connexion with some other facts, I was led to suspect that the great tide-wave performs an actual circuit in each of the great oceanick basins, on both sides of the equator, passing westwardly in the equatorial latitudes, and returning eastwardly in the higher latitudes, above 25 deg. or 30 deg. N. and S., and analogous to the At whatever period we go to sleep, one fact is course which is pursued, as can be demonstrably certain, that we can never with impunity convert day shown, by the great currents both of the ocean and into night. Even in the most scorching seasons of the atmosphere. If such be the operation of the the year, it is better to travel under the burning sun-tides, certain regions in mid-ocean world form the shine, than in the cool of the evening, when the foci, or neutral points, in these great elliptical cirdews are falling and the air is damp. A case in cuits, and would be but slightly, if at all, affected support of this statement, is given by Valangin in by the ordinary tides. The elaborate investigation his work on Diet. Two colonels in the French of cotidal lines in which Professor Whewell is enarmy had a dispute whether it was not more safe to gaged, will probably show whether this conjecture march in the heat of the day, or in the evening. To is well founded, or whether the course of the great ascertain this point, they got permission from the tide-wave be from the Southern ocean, northwardly, commanding officer to put their respective plans into through the entire length of the Atlantick, and in execution. Accordingly, the one with his division disregard of the direct lunar influence in this ocean, marched during the day, although it was in the heat as would seem to be indicated in his late paper on

that subject. The greatest difficulty attending the 1 if not primarily, to heat and rarefaction, those re-
inquiry, is in procuring correct observations from sults which should have been ascribed solely to me-
those islands and external points of coast, which chanical gravitation, as connected with the rotative
bear most decidedly upon the question.
and orbitual motion of the earth's surface, the influ-
It may not be improper to state, for the satisfac-ence of which he but partially recognises in connex-
tion of those who may have read my articles on the ion with this and another subject of inquiry, I may
storms of the American coast, that the method pur- also add, that, had this able philosopher been fully
sued by me in investigating the physical character conversant with the facts which relate to the course
of those storms, has been to procure a number of and other phenomena of hurricanes, he would proba-
copies of clean charts of the Atlantick, and to map bly have withheld the hypothesis which he has
out all the facts which I was able to collect in rela- given in a note appended to the chapter which I
tion to any one of these
ese, storms, upon one of these have alluded to, although one of the principal sug-
charts, in their true time and location, so as to obtain gestions in this note has, undoubtedly, a proper con-
a connected view of these facts, both as regards nexion with the subject.
their consentaneous and consecutive relations. The As I can but seldom allow myself to enter upon
results have been highly satisfactory-so much so, the discussion of these matters, the preceding sug-
indeed, that I have not met with the statement of a gestions may be taken for what they are thought to
single fact which is at variance with the explanation be worth by those under whose notice they may
which I have formerly given of the operation of chance to fall; but, to prevent being misunderstood,
these storms, except in two or three instances, which I freely admit that heat is often an exciting, as well
proved on further inquiry, to have been erroneously as modifying cause of local winds, and other phe-
stated. The historical records of more than a cen- nomena, and that it has an incidental or subordinate
tury past have been freely resorted to, and the in-action (though not such as is usually assigned) in the
quiry has also been extended to other coasts and organization and development of storms, and that,
seas, and has shown the existence of an unvarying in certain circumstances, it influences the interposi-
system, which I have not yet attempted to describe, tions of the moving strata of the atmosphere. Its
except in the most summary manner.
greatest direct influence is probably exhibited in
what are called land and sea breezes, or in the diur-
nal modifications which are exhibited by regular and
general winds. But, so far from being the great
prime mover of the atmospherick currents, either in
producing a supposed primary north and south cur
rent, or in any other manner, I entertain no doubt
that, if it were possible to preserve the atmosphere
at a uniform temperature over the whole surface of
the globe, the general winds could not be less brisk,
but would become more constant and uniform than
ever.

It may well be supposed that, in pursuing this inquiry by the method of a simple induction of particulars, as here stated, I have not been able to preserve an unshaken confidence in some of those "received theories," which appear to have been founded on vague generalizations, or unproved and untenable hypotheses; and I can hardly think that the reasonings which have at various times been adduced in support of these theories, from the time of Halley downwards, can be deemed either conclusive or satisfactory by an unbiassed mind, that shall give them a strict and impartial examination.

The grand errour into which all meteorologists appear to have fallen, consists in ascribing to heat and rarefaction the origin and support of the great atmospherick currents which are found to prevail over a great portion of the globe. Nor is it necessary to perceive, or point out, an adequate and undeniable physical cause for the production of these phenomena, before we can discover the inconsistency and fallacy of the reasonings by which the old system of meteorology has been supported. Such a cause, however, I consider is furnished in the rotative motion of the earth upon its axis, in which originates the centrifugal and other modifying influences of the gravitating power, which must always operate upon the great oceans of fluid and aerial matter which rést upon the earth's crust, producing, of necessity, those great currents to which we have alluded.

I have long entertained this conviction, but dolarida yond To not remember to have seen this great physical influence recognised in any degree, in its application to this subject, except by Sir John F. W. Herschel, in the third chapter of his popular treatise on astronomy, where, by the aid of this rotative influence, he has been able to give us the most imposing support of the received theory of winds which has ever appeared, and in which the connexion of the trades with the returning westerly winds, is, with some exceptions, correctly developed. Sir John, however, has erred, like his predecessors, in ascribing mainly,

deck plank sud. The inhabitant of this singular shell had long been sought after with eagerness by naturalists, and it is only within these few years that its true nature has been ascertained. We are indebted for this knowledge to the researches of Mr. Bennet, who, while engaged in a voyage among the Polynesian Islands, captured a specimen containing a living animal, which was taken to England, and is now de-posited in the museum of the Royal College of Sur

geons in London. The nautilus, although an inhab- shell, which was drawn in as soon as it was touched, itant of a shell, belongs to that order of molluscous and the elegant shell was then displayed. "I and (soft-bodied) invertebral animals, to which the name of cephalopoda has been given, from two Greek words, meaning head and foot, because their organ of motion, or foot, is attached to the head.

We have already described two species of this order, namely, the cuttle-fish, and the argonaut. The nautilus, although in its general conformation agreeing sufficiently with these to be placed in the same order, still differs in many material points. In the case of the cuttle-fish, the shell is completely hidden by the fleshy portions of the animal; and although the argonaut possesses an external shell, it is simple in its formation, not being formed into chambers like that of the nautilus. The use of these cells to the animal we are now describing is at present not well understood, but they are supposed to be employed by their inhabitant for the purpose of rising or sinking in the water at will. The body of this cephalopode, it will be seen, only occupies the outer cell of its habitation, its increased size having rendered it too large to remain in that preceding it. If, as the animal deserted its smaller tenements, one after the other, they had been filled up with solid matter, the shell would have become too cumbersome for its owner; so that we here have another proof of the providing care of the Creator. We shall describe, in Mr. Bennet's own words, the capture of this interesting object:

"It was on the twenty-fourth of August, 1829, (calm and fine weather, thermometer at noon 79°), in the evening, when the ship Sophia was lying at anchor in Marakini Bay, on the southwest side of the island of Erromanga, one of the New Hebrides group, Southern Pacifick ocean, that something was seen floating on the surface of the water, at some distance from the ship; to many it appeared like a small dead tortoise-shell cat, which would have been such an unusual object in this part of the world, that the boat which was alongside of the ship at the time, was sent for the purpose of ascertaining the nature of the floating object.

"On approaching near, it was observed to be the shellfish commonly known by the name of the Pearly Nautilus; it was captured and brought on board, but the shell was shattered from having been struck with the boathook in taking it, as the animal was sinking when the boat approached, and had it not been so damaged, it would have escaped. I extracted the fish in a perfect state, which was firmly attached to each side of the cavity of the shell." The hood has been stated by Dr. Shaw, as being "of a pale, reddish-purple colour, with deeper spots, and variegations," the colour, however, as it appeared in this recent specimen, was of a dark reddish brown.

Although this is the only instance of the animal itself having been brought to this country, there is but little doubt of its having been frequently taken,

others," says the same informant, "when it was first seen, did not notice it, regarding the animal, as the membrané enveloped the shell, merely as a piece of blubber, but having touched it by accident, the membranous covering was drawn in, and we soon secured our beautiful prize."

THE SHELL OF THE NAUTILUS.

Rumphius, a German naturalist, appears to have been acquainted with its habits; he says:—" When he thus floats upon the water, he puts out his head, and all his barbs, and spreads them on the water, with the poop of the shell above water: but at the bottom he creeps in a reverse position, with his boat above him, and with his head and barbs upon the keeps himself chiefly on the ground, creeping someground, making a tolerably quick progress. He times also into the nets of the fishermen: but after a storm, as the weather becomes calm, they are seen in troops floating on the water, being driven up by the agitation of the waves. Whence one may infer that they congregate in troops at the bottom. This sailing, however, is not of long continuance, for having taken in all their tentacles, they upset their boat, and so return to the bottom."

A GOOD SENTIMENT.

Children are more frequently ruined by inheriting large fortunes than by being compelled by the absence of wealth to embrace an active and industrious life, to gain a subsistence. We have always been much pleased with the answer of Phocion, one of the most renowned philosophers and lawgivers of Greece, when a friend presented him a large sum of money and pressed him to accept of it, at least for his children. "If my children," said Phocion, "resemble me, they will as well as me have enough; and if they become dissipated, I will not leave them wherewithal to maintain their luxury and debauchery."

AMERICAN APHORISMS ON EDUCATION. "Good instruction is better than riches," was the but as the shell was the object motto that William Penn, the illustrious founder of of the captors and not its inhabi-Pennsylvania, placed on the seal of a literary incortant, the latter has been thrown poration, granted by him 150 years ago. "In proaway as useless. An officer in portion as the structure of a government gives force the English navy, found a nauti- to publick opinion, it is essential that publick opinion lus in a hole in a reef of rocks, should be enlightened," said Washington. "A wellnear an island on the eastern coast instructed people alone can be a permanently free of Africa, the mantle of the fish, people," said Madison. "Make a crusade against BEAK OF THE NAUTILS. like a thin membrane, covered the ignorance," said Jefferson.

REVOLUTIONARY BATTLES ILLUSTRATED. No. 5.
OPERATIONS AT THE SOUTH.

The operations of the contending armies at the south during the revolutionary war, were extensive, various, and long continued. They were commenced early, and concluded at the latest stage. Their history would fill a large and interesting volume-and it would exhibit a detail of the most savage fierceness and brutality, on the part of the enemy, and of the most gallant bravery, skill, suffering and fortitude on the part of our countrymen, that often occur in the whole history of the war. A portion of these scenes and operations have recently been invested with a new and superiour interest by the aid of the imagination in a recent work of fiction.*

Horse Shoe Robinson. By James P. Kennedy.
Vol III-25

The battle of Lexington was the tocsin of the revolutionary war. As the news of that battle spread, the American people every where awoke to a sense of their immediate danger, and prepared for the impending storm. The southern provinces were not far behind the northern, in the activity and earnestness of their preparations. A few days after the battle of Lexington, South Carolina raised two regiments of infantry and one of cavalry. Virginia also immediately exhibited a readiness to yield her aid in defending this country. A great difficulty existed at this time in this province, between the English governour, Dunmore, and the Assembly. He feared the people would seize on the powder of the publick

magazine at Williamsburgh, and ordered it to be car-heard them attentively, Adam went away, and told ried on board a vessel called the Jasper, lying at an- the whole to the persons who employed him. chor in the river James. He also talked of setting They immediately sent a committee, Macdonald free the negroes and of destroying the city, which among the number, to wait upon his excellency, and so greatly incensed the people, that they compelled request him to show his royal commission, if he had him to leave Williamsburgh, and seek safety on board any, as governour. He declined this proposal. a royal armed vessel. Having collected a fleet, he There were some hints then thrown out, about putresolved to harass the Virginians as much as possi- ting him in confinement. These came to his ears, ble, if he could not govern them. In this he was and he retreated, with very little ceremony or delay, joined and assisted by the tories. to an English corvette, anchored in the harbour. The Assembly requested him to return; but he refused.