all the organs concerned in the nutrition of the body." When the system, therefore, undebilitated by disease, will admit a good supply of oxygen by muscular exercise, it is the best means of diminishing the amount of venous blood, and (in conjunction with a legitimate supply of proper food) of increasing the amount of arterial blood; and in proportion as the latter preponderates over the former, shall we possess health and muscular strength, as well as elasticity of mind.

530. "Oxygen", says Mr. E. Johnson, "is the only stimulating drink which we can take, with advantage to ourselves, for the purpose of invigorating our strength, and elevating our animal spirits. It is the wine and spirit of life, the true eau de vie; with an abundance of which nature has supplied us ready made; and it is the only one proper to man. If you be thirsty, drink water; if low-spirited, drink oxygen;-that is to say, take active exercise, during which you inhale it." Violent exercise, however, should be avoided; for, though consistent with health, it renders the processes of decay and renewal too rapid, and hastens the period of old age.

531. The skin, being a very important excretory organ, should on no consideration be neglected. About thirty ounces of the worn out materials of the body, are said to escape (by insensible perspiration) in twenty-four hours; but the quantity varies with the temperature of the atmosphere, the amount of exercise, and other circumstances. The innumerable pores by which effete matters abounding in carbon and nitrogen are excreted, can perform their function with much greater freedom in the Herbivora

than in man; because the artificial clothing which thè latter is under the necessity of using, in cold climates, prevents free exhalation; and the skin becomes sheathed in an oleaginous compound, which materially checks the necessary process. The consequence is that the lungs, kidneys, and liver, have additional duty to discharge; which frequently terminates in functional or organic disease. Hence arises the necessity for frequent ablution, in order to preserve the normal condition of the perspiratory pores. The warm-bath, or sponging the whole surface of the body with tepid water, will effectually remove all extraneous matter from the skin; but, as warmth is debilitating, and cold (when judiciously administered) is a powerful tonic, it is desirable that cold water should be substituted, whenever the constitution will permit it. Many who have been extremely liable to coughs, sore throats, &c., have, by this means, been completely protected against a recurrence of these distressing and dangerous complaints. Nearly all who are not affected with organic disease, may bear the cold-bath, or cold sponging, in all seasons, with considerable advantage to health; but its daily use will prove injurious, if the body be exposed too long to the influence of cold; and unless a reaction, and moisture of the surface be promoted, by subsequent muscular exercise; or by friction of the skin with the hand, the hair-glove, or the flesh-brush.

532. Several other rules for the preservation of health may be here mentioned; such as regular hours; early rising; good ventilation of the sitting and sleeping

rooms; avoidance of currents of air; and some others, the importance of which is so generally acknowledged, that they require no recommendation. I shall therefore proceed to a brief enumeration of the most valuable articles of human diet; for the choice of those who are determined to dispense with the flesh of slaughtered animals.

533. The most valuable production, in this country, for the support of human life, is undoubtedly wheat. Triticum vulgare is supposed to be a native of the hilly parts of Asia; and has been rendered hardy by time and cultivation in more temperate climates. The flour of wheat is capable of being used in a great variety of ways; -forming bread, puddings, pies, &c.; and is most wholesome when the bran has not been removed by dressing. Wheat, also, when boiled and afterwards used with milk, forms a nutritious and wholesome diet.

534. Hordeum vulgare, or barley, is another excellent grain, well known to the ancients. It is indigenous in Sicily and Russia; and may be cultivated in much colder countries than wheat. Pearl-barley, is made from hordeum distichon, or "two-rowed barley": it is excellent in soups; and forms very good puddings, when used either alone or mixed with rice.

535. Avena sativa, or the common oat, was found in a wild state by Anson, in the island of Juan Fernandez. This grain is frequently used as "grits" or "groats"; but it is more commonly ground into a coarse powder, called "oatmeal"; which is made into cakes and puddings; or boiled with milk, or water, or a mixture of both. It

forms a very nutritious diet for children, as well as for persons of mature age.

536. Oryza sativa, or rice, is indigenous in India; where it has been cultivated from very remote ages. The Egyptians, Persians, Babylonians, and all the eastern nations, make great use of this grain. "It is the grand material of food, on which a hundred millions of the inhabitants of the earth subsist; and although chiefly confined by nature to the regions included between, and bordering on the tropics, its cultivation is probably more extensive than that of wheat; which the Europeans are wont to consider as the universal staff of life." * Merat and De Lens state, that three-fourths of the inhabitants of the earth are nourished by this grain; which contains about the same amount of nutriment as wheat, but only a small portion of gluten; which induces some to consider this grain inadequate to the full development of muscular fibre. But if (as we have every reason to believe) the nitrogen of the atmosphere plays so important a part in the digestive processes (185, 200), the objection against rice, maize, potatoes, and other non-azotized articles of diet, falls to the ground; and as we have well authenticated accounts of strong and muscular men being nourished solely by such diet (269, 192, 276, 281, 497), they afford additional evidence that there are other sources of nitrogen besides food. Rice is easily digested; and is an excellent article of food for the young and the old, the sick and the healthy. When formed into puddings, the addition of one-third of pearl barley is considered a great improvement.

* MARSDEN'S HISTORY OF SUMATRA. P. 65. 1811.

537. Zea mais, or maize, is another grain of great importance, and of high antiquity. Its culture is said to be more extended than that of wheat; and in Asia, Africa, America, and some parts of Europe, it is one of the principal aliments of the human race; but, as little of it is imported or produced in England, the remarks already made will be sufficient. Several other valuable grains, tubers, and fruits, are not noticed for the same

reason.

of

538. Of tubers, the following are the most valuable :1. Solanum tuberosum, or potato. 2. Cassava; from which tapioca is prepared. 3. Salep; which is considered very nutritious, and is procured principally from Orchis mascula. 4. Indian arrow-root; from Maranta arundinacea. 5. Yams; extensively cultivated in Africa, Asia, and America. 6. Arrachucha; cultivated in South America for its root, which is farinaceous and easy digestion. 7. Sago; prepared from the pith of sagus farinifera, and other palms. The following succulent roots are also valuable:-1. Turnips. 2. Carrots. 3. Parsneps. 4. Beet. 5. Jerusalem artichokes. We have also various species of the Brassica; as the cabbage, cauliflower, &c.; as well as spinach, asparagus, sea-kale, onions, lettuce, celery, radishes, rhubarb, mushrooms, &c. Lettuces and other esculent vegetables should be used seldom and sparingly, and well masticated; because the stomach and alimentary canal of man are not well adapted for the digestion of them.

539. Fruits. The most abundant fruits in this island, are apples, pears, and plums; which, when well masti