well understood fcientific terms, the following paffage may ferve as an inftance.

• Linné defcribes this infect as niger elytris piceis; Thunberg and Gmelin as totus niger; and Fabricius as fufcus. Herbft calls it ater, but figures the elytra piceous, and the rest of the body blackishcinereous; and thus makes it very curioufly refemble an harlequin. As to Fuefsly, he has only copied Linné's words; but, in the french edition, both niger and piceus are tranflated by noire. Hence we find, that this infect has been defcribed now with one colour, and now with another, and sometimes as having two colours, though it does not poffefs but one, and that almost uniform. This is a fingular fact, and a ftriking inftance of authors not knowing the true lignification of Linné's terms.

It is not very uncommon, in our days, to fee ater and niger, piccus and fufcus, ufed promifcuoufly: but it was not fo originally with Linné; for by ater, he meant a colour of the blackest kind; by niger, another of black and brown mixed together; and by picens, ftill another of a lighter caft, or with a greater portion of brown, As to fufcus, it was a dark colour, compofed of a mixture of black, brown, and cinereous. Having once asked him the difference between ater and niger, I received this explanation from himself. It muft therefore be genuine, &c.'.

Linné knew but one fpecies of paufus. Dr. A., when at Sierra Leone, discovered another. This paper contains english and latin defcriptions of both in point of compofition, it shows a refpectable acquaintance with our language.

Art. 23. Obfervatious an the British Species of Bromus, with Introdultery Remarks on the Compofition of a Flora Britannica. By J. E, Smith, M.D. F.R.S. P.L.S.-One of the main objects, that has long engaged the attention of the prefident, has been the compilation of 3 more perfect British Flora than any hitherto published, by defribing from real fpecimens. and inveftigating the fynonyms, by Conftant reference to the Linnean Herbarium. To show what afiftarce he is likely to derive from his predeceffors in indigenous botany, or rather, what difficulties they have thrown in his way, he introdues a fhort view of their productions, beginning with Merret's Pimx, notices the various methods they have purfued, and appreciats their comparative merits. With thefe examples before me,' fayshe, to fhun or to imitate, I have long laboured at the Flora Britannica; and it is evident, that on fuch a plan as I have propofea to myfelf, it cannot very speedily be completed. By studying orignal fpecimens in the great collections at the British Mufcum, and a Oxford, I hope to bring the fynonyms nearer to perfection than they are at prefent, and have already cleared up many difficulties. Mary of my discoveries are daily given to the world in the Englife Botany and I appeal to their number, not from oftentation, but as an apology for not having more speedily completed my whole talk, in which fo many points more remain to be investigated.' The botanical hiftory of bromus, which is fubjoined, we prefume, is a fpecimen of the manner in which the learned author's investigations ase to be condußted.

Art. 24. Some Corrections of the general Description of Polytrichum rybellum, p. 79, with an Account of another new Species of the fams Genus. By Mr. A. Menzies, F.L.S.

A. B.

FARRIERY, ANATOMY.

MEDICINE. CHEMISTRY.

ART. 11. Obfervations on the Structure, Economy, and Difeafes of the Foot of the Horfe; and on the Principles and Practice of Shoeing. By Edward Coleman, Profeffor of the Veterinary College, &c. Vol. I. 4to. 128 pages and eight plates. Price 12s, in boards. Johnfon. 1798.

WHILE medical and chirurgical knowledge has been rapidly advancing, that of farriery has remained in a state of great neglect, Until the establishment of the Veterinary College, indeed, no fchool exifted in this country for teaching the principles of the fcience; it is, therefore, not greatly to be wondered, if, in the practical department of the art, there have been much erroneous opinion and conjecture. Ignorant of the nature and properties of remedies, and unacquainted with the ftructure and economy of the animals to which they were applied, little could be expected from the modes of treatment that were purfued.

This being the cafe, it becomes neceffary to proceed with caution in confidering the principles of the art. In this way Mr. C. appears to us to have conducted his inquiries; and of much of his theoretical, as well as practical matter, we certainly approve. He properly endeavours to reft the practice of fhocing on a fcientific foundation.

In regard to the general improvement of veterinary science, be obferves, Intro. p. 2. As, in this country, every branch of this art is at present in a state of very great imperfection, my original intention was to have attempted a fyftem of anatomy and phyfiology of the horse, with fome obfervations in pathology; which, though an arduous task, I am not without hopes of yet being able to accomplish. But, as to complete a work of this nature would require a life-time employed with induftry and fuccefs, I have determined to publish, occafionally, my obfervations on the most effential parts of the veterinary art. I have preferred this plan, under the conviction, that few men have either time or inclination to read a great profeffional book. Befides, by the felection of objects that are important, I fhall difcharge the duty I owe to the public in general, and to the fubfcribers of the veterinary college in particular.'

It cannot be doubted, that the art of fhoeing, by adopting just principles, is capable of great improvement. Anatomy and phyfiology can, however, alone lead us to them, by fhowing us the ftructure and ufes of the various parts.

- is cer

A proper mode of fhoeing,' fays Mr. C., Intro. p. 10.tainly of more importance than the treatment of any difeafe, or, perhaps, of all the difeafes incident to horfes. The foot is a part that we are particularly required to preferve in health; and if this art be judiciously employed, the foot will not be more liable to disease than any other organ. But, if the principles of fhoeing are not well un

4

derstood

derfood, then the practice becomes pernicious; then, inftead of preventing, we are creating difeafes. Now, as all horfes employed, require to be conftantly fhod, fo all horfes are liable to be difeafed, if the principles and practice of fhoeing are erroneous; and when difeate takes place, lamenefs is a frequent confequence.

If, therefore, it be a fact that the common practice of fhoeing engenders difeafes, while the practice here recommended preferves horles' feet in their natural ftate; then it will be admitted, that great benefits refult to the public from its general adoption.'

If, by the plan of fhoeing, which our author propofes, corns, contracted feet, and fome other difeafes çan be effectually prevented, we gain no fmall advantage.

Intro. P. 12. To the complete fuccefs of the fyftem, it is neceffary, that clofe attention be paid to two circumftances. It is not only requifite that the fhoe fhould be accurately made, but the foot must be cut and prepared very differently from the common mode. Whatever fhoe be employed, if parts that are effential to the economy of the foot are not preferved; and if the ufclefs parts, that require removal, be allowed to remain, the foot mu foon be in a morbid ftate. Where the hoof is cut improperly, the fhoe must fail of fuccefs; not, perhaps, from any fault in the conftruction of the fhoe, but from its application. Nevertheless, it will not be found to require more mechanical dexterity to cut the hoof properly than improperly; and the beft form of fhoes is made with as little labor as a common. fhoe.'

In the prefent volume, Mr. C. only confiders the external structure and economy of the hoof. On the knowledge of thefe the practice that he advifes is founded. The internal formation and ufes will be defcribed hereafter.

The form, condition, and advantages of the natural hoof are well explained; and the pernicious confequences of the common mode of fhoeing, fully fhown. Thefe bring our author to the principles and practice employed by the veterinary furgeon; and the first thing to be attended to, he tells us, P. 51, is to take away a portion of the jole, between the whole length of the bars and cruft, with a drawing knife. The heels of the fole, as has already repeatedly been ob ferved, cannot receive the preffure of the fhoe without corns. To avoid preffure, the fole fhould be made concave or hollow, and not allowed to be in contact with the fhoe. If there be any one part of the practice of fhoeing, more important than the reft, it is this removal of the fole, between the bars and cruft. When this operation is performed, the horfe will always be free from corns, whatever may be the form of the fhoe; but, if the fole is fuffered to be flat at the heels, and prefed upon by the fhoe, it is of very little importance what kind of fhoe is applied. Every groom, and every fmith, is fully convinced, that the fole will not bear preffure; and, to prevent this effect, they remove the whole of the bars, by opening the heels, and applying a concave fhoe. We have endeavoured to prove, that the deftruction of the bars is always improper; that this practice is the remote caufe of corns, the very difeafe which it is intended to prevent; and that the bars are very neceflary to preferve the circular form of the hoof. Besides this, the heels of the fhoe fhould be made

પ

to reft on the junction of the bars with the cruft: but if the bars are removed, then the fhoe is fupported by the cruft only, and not by the folid broad bafis of cruft and bars united.'

Several well-founded remarks on the bars and frog of the foot are here made. The neceffity of the frog touching the ground is clearly shown, and the abfurdity and impropriety of fome common modes of practice demonftrated.

P. 88. The best form for the external furface of the shoe, is a regular concavity; that is, the common fhoe reverfed. This fhoe leaves the hoof of the fame figure when fhod, as before its application. And it is evident, that a concavity has more points of contac with pavement and other convex bodies, than a flat or convex furface; and that the horse is confequently more fecure on his legs. A fhoe that is flat externally, may preferve the hoof equally well in health; but this form is not fo well calculated to prevent the horse from flipping as a concavity.'

4

The thape, and manner of nailing the fhoe on, the form of the nails, and many other little circumftançes, Mr. C. feems to confider of moment. Thefe have been very little, if at all, thought on by the common farrier.

On cutting, which is a very common accident with horfes, we have thefe very ufeful obfervations:

P. 100. Where the toe of the hoof is turned out, the inner quarters of the fhoe or hoof are more frequently the parts that do the mifchief: but when the toe is turned in, the injury is done by the anterior part of the shoe.

If the toe is turned out, the inner quarter of the cruft is most frequently lower than the outer. This condition of the hoof neceffarily inclines the fetlock joint of the foot that fupports the weight, nearer to the foot in motion.

Farriers generally attend to the hoof that cuts, and not to the hoof of the injured leg: but while the leg is in the air, no shoe can alter its direction; and the small quantity of horn, or iron, that can be removed from the hoof and fhoe, very rarely prevents cutting. But it is very practicable to alter the pofition of the leg, that fupports the animal: and thus the foot in motion may pursue the fame direction without being liable to cut. The outer quarter of the cruft hould be lowered, and the inner quarter preferved. This operation will tend to make the bottom of the' hoof the reverfe of its former state, that is, the infide quarter higher than the outside, and this will throw the fetlock joints farther from each other.

Where the fole is thin, very little of the cruft can be removed from the outfide; and then it will be neceffary to attend to the shoe. The inner quarter fhould be thickened, and the outer quarter made thin; which will produce the fame effect, as altering the horn; or, if the hoof be fufficiently ftrong, both these remedies may be employed at the fame time.

This mode of fhoeing will alfo fucceed, where the horse cuts below the knee, called the fpeedy cut. But, if the toes of the hoof are turned in, then it will be frequently found, that the outfide quarters are the loweft: when this occurs, we must purfue the oppofite

practice.

practice. The inner quarter of the hoof only should be lowered, and the outer quarter of the fhoe made thicker than the inner.'

Thefe few paffages may fhow the reader the nature of the work, and the view Mr. C. has taken of the very important fubject of boeing. Thofe, who confult the profeffor's labours, will find a pretty large portion of valuable matter, well arranged and usefully applied. The plates are well executed, and afford a good illuftration of the fubject. ART. III. A Syftem of Diffections. Part II. containing the Anatomy and Difeafes of the Thorax. With five Plates. By Charles Bell. Folio. 40 pages. Price 5s. 6d. Johnson. 1798.

IN reviewing the firft part of this work, we gave our opinion of it's plan and utility, which we fee no reason to change from the appearance of the prefent number.

The advertisement informs us of a few circumstances, with which it may be neceffary for the reader to be made acquainted.

The diffection of the vifcera of the abdomen, and of the thorax, is fo different from that of the extremities, and they muft neceffarily be treated of in fo different a manner, that it was thought at first necessary to publish the diffections of one of the extremities along with that of the abdomen, that the fcope and nature of the book might be fully understood: but regularity and order being of more importance, and the diffection of the vifcera of the belly and of the breaft being more strictly connected, they have been first published.

The book was made of this fize (in other respects inconvenient) that there might be allowed room for a fyftem of large and intelligible plates of the neck and of the extremities; fuch as might be easily followed in diffection. The plates of the general anatomy, in the fucceeding numbers, will be flightly engraved, with the arteries and veins and nerves fhaded, and the muscles in outline; which, while it gives the clearness of a plan to the most intricate piece of anatomy, does not preclude accuracy in the drawing. The views of the more important parts, as thofe in the perineum, in the groin, in the bend of the arm, &c. will be more highly engraved.

In the text, after defcribing the fteps previous to the diffection, and the manner of conducting the diffection, the anatomy will be thrown into the form of a description of the plate, which will give concifenefs and accuracy:-then the attention will be directed to fuch points as are of moft confequence, with the difplacement and variations from the natural anatomy produced by disease; as hernia, aneurism, &c.'

The different diffections of the thorax are here conducted with equal accuracy as thofe of the former part; and the author has not been lefs attentive, to point out thofe circumftances, that tend to throw light on the morbid changes, which different parts undergo. Some phyfiological and chirurgical remarks are likewife occafionally introduced, which we think both judicious and proper in such an undertaking as this.

Of these we fhall extract a fpecimen or two, in order to show the full utility of the work.