well produce the disease in a tree, nay, even more likely, because it is a living body, which the hoof is not. Why, then, are we to suppose the hoof to be acted upon by matter from diseased feet, and that, too, after the matter has been exposed to the influence of the atmosphere? But rain and sun, we must suppose, have no influence upon it. Arsenic may be diluted with water to such an extent as to be swallowed with impunity, but water seems to increase the virulence of the matter of foot-rot. It is true, that heat and moisture will reduce, after sufficient exposure, animal matter to a putrid mass of the same consistence and properties; but the influence of these agents is lost upon the matter of foot-rot. The plague is now known not to be so infectious as it was once thought to be, but the foot-rot will still infect the most extensive domains. The upas-tree may annihilate the existence of all that comes within its pestiferous shade; but what is that to the infection of the foot-rot, when a single sheep will contaminate a mountain ?-Nay, it will act even upon parts totally devoid of vitality; and such, too, is the eccentricity of its action, that it will allow its neighbouring toe to escape, and still infect the whole ground!

Was there ever any thing more absurd than the doctrine that this disease is infectious? What is the quantity of matter secreted, that it should thus operate; and in what mysterious form does it work? We find but a few drops, even in very bad cases, thrown off in many hours; yet it has been found that it does not act upon the hoof, unless the foot has been wounded. Does not common sense, then, declare that infection can have nothing to do in the case? But I need not discuss this point further at present, as I trust I have already shown that all ideas of its infectious nature are merely chimerical.

As this disease arises in consequence of the hoofs not being exposed to sufficient friction to wear them down, or keep them in their proper state, or where their natural growth is increased by the nature and moisture of the ground, the hoofs of all the flock should be regularly rasped or pared at short intervals, say from eight days to a fortnight, according to the rapidity with which a particular pasture produces the disease. In certain situations, they might be made to travel upon a hard surface similar to natural sheep tracks, or be folded in a place purposely pre

pared, upon which they could move about and wear their hoofs. For that purpose, they should be placed in it every day.

Driving the sheep along a hard road for a short time daily, would have a similar effect; laying their tracks with gravel would also be beneficial. And, as an experiment, I would suggest to those whose lands are apt to produce the disease, to satisfy themselves by feeding an equal number of diseased sheep and sound ones together in a fold with a hard dry bottom: let that bottom be kept free from filth and moisture, and I have no doubt it will be found, that, instead of the sound sheep becoming infected, the diseased ones will become sound, unless, indeed, the feet are so far destroyed as to require medical treatment; but even in that case, the improvement will be more rapid than under other circumstances. By the means which I have stated, simple as they are, I have no doubt the foot-rot may be made to disappear from many of those places where it at present proves a great deterioration to the value of pastures.

In conclusion, I may further add,-as the locality must be familiar to every one who takes an interest in the romantic scenery around Modern Athens,—that, while the rich pastures which are in the neighbourhood of Arthur Seat are very subject to the disease, that hill itself is not only almost entirely free from it, but if the sheep when first infected are removed from the low grounds to the hill, they soon get well; it therefore follows, that the disease may be prevented by adopting proper timely measures and by adopting the principles I have endeavoured to establish, and applying them according to the circumstances of the infected pastures, a considerable stop may be put to the disease, and, in many situations, it may be altogether prevented.

I do not conceive it necessary, to enter upon the cure of the disease. Enough has been written on that subject, and many of the plans recommended are sufficient for the end. Suffice it to say, that the principal points to be attended to are paring away the detached hoof, and dressing the surface with some caustic, of which muriate of antimony is the best. But, as prevention is better than cure, I would recommend a strict investigation into the cases in each pasture, and having ascertained the true cause, the proper means of prevention will be readily suggested.

ON THE CULTIVATION OF THE AMERICAN POKE-WEED.

THE

HE most superficial observer cannot, without feelings of wonder, contemplate the immense variety of systems of organization by which nature elicits from the inorganic elements those multiplied products which she renders subservient to the support of other more complicated systems. From apparently no other materials than air, water, and earth, or from the two former alone, is it not astonishing to see how many substances, so different from each other, and from every thing else, are daily elaborated, and let loose into the world, to be reconverted into other substances, or finally restored to their pristine state? And then how extensive may be the application of the products of even a single one of these systems! A plant, taken from its native wilds, cherished and disseminated by man, produces food for millions of that strange race, which has so modified the face of nature. The wheat, the maize, the rice, and other cerealia, are the great supporters of human existence; and such is the fertility of Nature, and the amplitude of the means which she has supplied, that, were these annihilated, there are doubtless others perfectly suited to supply their place: For, although the idea that the perfection of nature depends upon the maintenance of her integrity, may be a fine idea, still finer, and more correct, is that which represents the integrity of Nature such that, were a link of her chain lost, she has the power of restoring its continuity, without injury to the other links. But, in fact, Nature has no such chain. Her systems are reticulations; and, should one of them become wanting, the universe needs not of necessity fall into disorder. The dodo has become extinct; but who, save a few ornithologists, has ever felt the loss? From our own country, many animals have disappeared, and what the worse are we? But while gaps have been made in the constitution of our country, we have received accessions of strength. The potato itself, a native of another land, is worth more than all that we have lost, and furnishes an instance of the importance which

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a humble, long unknown, and long despised individual, may assume in the economy of the world. The land which supplied it has many other gifts in store. Of these gifts, which from America could hardly be styled Bacıλına duga, were we to consider the anti-basilikal prejudices of its inhabitants, one may here be brought prominently into notice. It is the Phytolacca decandra.

This plant belongs to the family of Atriplicea of the natural system, and to Decandria Decagynia of that of Linnæus. The genus to which it is referred is characterized by a coloured, persistent calyx, with five divisions; the absence of corolla; from eight to twenty stamina, with awl-shaped filaments, and roundish anthers; a round depressed berry, having eight or ten longitudinal grooves, and as many cells, each containing a single kidney-shaped seed.

The Phytolacca are shrubby or herbaceous plants, with undivided leaves, and small flowers, disposed in racemes, which are generally opposite to the leaves. Eight species are known, none of which are indigenous in Europe; although, in the southern parts of it, one of them has become perfectly naturalized, as the Enothera biennis, from the same country, has in the west of England. This naturalized species is the one which, on account of its many useful properties, it is here proposed to recommend

to notice.

Phytolacca decandra.

Willd. Sp. Pl. vol. i. p. 822. Pursh. Fl. Amer. vol. i. p. 324. An excellent figure of it may be seen in Audubon's splendid Engravings of the Birds of America.

The root is perennial, very thick, fleshy, six or eight inches in diameter, and divided into several large branches, which run deep into the soil. Stems one or several, nearly woody, cylindrical, five or six feet high, of a purplish colour, and dividing, in their upper part, into many dichotomous branches. The leaves are short-stalked, alternate, or irregularly disposed, ovatolanceolate, smooth, from four to six inches long, of a deep green, changing in autumn to purplish. The peduncles, are from five to eight inches long, of a beautiful deep red colour, on which are arranged the short-pedicellate, pale-red or white flowers, forming pendulous racemes from five to eight inches

long. The berries are circular, depressed, of a bluish-black colour, with ten or twelve cells.

This plant is a native of North America, growing in open woods, old fields, and by-roads and fences, from New England to Carolina. It is there known by the names of Poke-weed and Poke-berry. It flowers in June and July. It was introduced into Europe upwards of 200 years ago, and was cultivated in England in 1640. Although it does not seem to have attracted much attention in this country, it has become naturalized in Spain, Portugal, some parts of Italy, and the south of France, where it has been used for various purposes.

In America, the juice of the root is used as a common purgative. An infusion of the dried root in wine is employed there as an emetic, operating gently but effectually. The juice of the berries is also purgative: the roots are applied to the hands and feet in fevers. Independently of its medicinal properties, it is a plant of considerable importance there, the young shoots being eaten as a delicious and wholesome salad, and the tender leaves being boiled and used as spinach. When older, however, they become acrid, and exhale a nauseous odour. The juice of the berries is frequently used as red ink. It tinges linen and other substances of a beautiful purplish-red colour, which, however, soon fades, as no means have hitherto been discovered of fixing it.

In Portugal, the purple juice of the berries was long used to give a finer colour to port-wine; but it was alleged to give it a disagreeable taste, and to deteriorate its quality; on which account, the government gave orders for the destruction of the stems before the berries should arrive at maturity. In Italy, the juice of the root has been applied to ulcers with good effect.

Poultry are fond of the berries; and, in some districts of the south of France, these fruits are advantageously employed for feeding them. When eaten in too large quantity, however, they are said to communicate a disagreeable flavour to their flesh.

The stems, when cut previous to the evolution of the flowers, yield a large quantity of potash on being burned. The great beauty of the long clusters of black berries, with their bright