"Among the strange forms of animated creation, none is more varied, singular and puzzling than that of the young Simia, the homo Silvestris, the Singe of the French, or the Ape of the English.

The Count de Buffon, who has so learnedly written on the subject, would have been still more perplexed by this, which he does not appear to have seen. He says that the male Orang Outang has the stature of a man, a little more than five feet, and is erect and approaching to our form, deprived of a tail, of pockets in the mouth, of collosities of the seat, and of claws on the hand. He acknowledges, however, that three other kinds of apes are much similar to his animal, although of much inferior size; the Jacot and Magot, also the Pithoque of the Greeks, which last has been described by Aristotle, and which he had never seen; but he knew not the present kind of Orantaugess, which is only two feet and a half high, and differs from any of the species above noticed.

The trunk of her body, including the pelvis up to the cervix and the arms with the shoulders, is all of a perfect human form and proportion, save a folding of the cutis vera descending from the neck to the breast, as if it was expansible and reserved for a swelling of goitre, or other parts, which is not yet formed. The innominati of the pelvis are flat and lower, the femurs shorter, in good proportion, and much diverging. The knee and leg are perfect, but the foot exercises a flexion between the tarses and metatarses, and gives a semicircular support to the body, much assisted by a central internal big toe or a thumb. It besides completes the characteristic of the quadrimanes observed in this class, with very few exceptions, and proves that it is destined to live, to jump, to transport itself from tree to tree, and to grasp by the foot as well as by the hands. The upper and lower jaw of this Orang Outang departs from the human form and protrudes out so much as to give a very acute facial angle, flat nose and frontal surface, but the mouth is internally shaped like that of a man, presenting two circular jaws

and sets of teeth in good order but not yet complete. In it we did not perceive any uvula, except it be a small appendage of it, and no velum palati, from which we conclude that the animal could not give nor strike and form any articulated sound or syllable, although her tongue is well formed; but she must be deprived of the benefit of a posterior chamber of the pharynx necessary for the speech. We are told that the animal is only 19 months old; hence her dental system is not yet completely formed; her nails of twenty fingers are rather thick and hard, but not bent nor shaped as claws. The muscular agility, elasticity, and all powers of locomotion are remarkable, whether walking, jumping, or suspending herself at a rope provided for her exercise: yet playful with her keepers, to whom she appears cheerful and obedient. Nothing is unsightly about her, neither by the hairy appendage short upon the head, rare on the back and spine and null on the inside of her upper and lower extremities. However vacant her physiognomy, it indicates not the smallest degree of ferine disposition, except she should be too much touched and meddled with.

Yet we confess that the beholders of such a creature may either believe that the ascent from her condition of brute and beast to that of man, would not require much alteration; or that our own organization places us not very high in the scale of reason and intelligence above similar beings. Both extremes of such impressions are erroneous, and are sufficiently refuted by our civil, moral and religious institutions. When we think that it is so difficult to bring Indians and savages (yet men to all appearances) to our social laws and industry, we may well think what great distance there still remains between the Orang Outang and the Lord of the creation.

If even the changes and meliorations by generation were to be depended upon, we must know that in that mould, not only bodily forms must be cast, but that it must also adjust those which are necessary to intelligence and mental perceptions!"

BLACK SNAKE OF NEW-ENGLAND. The Exeter News Letter gives the following account of this reptile, which is said to attain a larger size than any other in New-England. "They have not unfrequently been known to measure between six and seven feet in length;

in

Several years since, Mr. N., a gentleman of Massachusetts, was walking leisurely from Lynn to Lynnfield, when his attention was attracted by a rustling among the bushes near him, and two monstrous black snakes, which he stated to have been seven or eight feet in length, made their appearance, rushing towards him, thrusting out their forked tongues, while their eye-balls seemed glowing with defiance and ire. Mr. N. turned and fled. His pursuers, however, soon came up with him, and one of them clinging to his boot, arrested his farther progress. The snake twined itself around his leg, with its head reaching above his knee-and seemed evidently attempting to gain his body, for the purpose of compressing him to death. In this critical situation, Mr. N. fortunately retained his self-possession, and drew a penknife from his pocket, with which he severed the body of his loathsome antagonist. Its companion escaped.

A woodcutter in a neighboring town, was once cutting down a tree which stood near a ledge of rocks, which rose precipitately to the height of fifteen or twenty feet. Suddenly a large black snake sprang from the ledge above him, and alighted on his shoulder, to the great horror of the poor fellow. The snake began to entwine itself around his body, which he attempted to prevent by seizing the neck of the snake, and striving with all his strength to compel it to relinquish its hold. In this way, this modern Laocoon struggled with the arch enemy, and at last succeeded in releasing himself from its grasp."

EXTRAORDINARY FORMATION OF PEAT. A bed of Peat, of great size and importance, the working of which, upon an ex

tensive scale, has just been commenced, has been discovered upon the property of Mr. William Woodworth, about two and a half or three miles East of NewBrunswick, New-Jersey, and less than half a mile from the Raritan. The depth of the Peat formation is about eleven feet, and its surface so broad, that it is estimated that five or six millions of chaldrons could be extracted per annum, for twenty-five years; and as peat turf generally renews itself once in twenty or twenty-five years, this bed may be considered as inexhaustible for any quantity that will probably be required. As an article of fuel it is of rare quality. It is very solid, and seems, from its texture and appearance, to have been almost charred by some chemical property in the soil.

grows in great profusion in the wilderCOTTONIER. This is a plant which nesses of Canada, and has generally been considered of little or no value. blown away by the wind, every year. It is said that ship loads of the seed are A lady lately succeeded in spinning some of the wild cotton, and it has been woven into an article of very considerable value to the poor in that climate.

A METEOR. A brilliant meteor exploded in the sky about 11 o'clock on the night of the 11th October, a little northward of Wellsborough, Pa. A bright flash was seen, followed by a heavy sound and a jarring of the earth. The light was remarkably brilliant. One spectator reports, that he was walking homewards at the time mentioned above, when, suddenly, the ground became enlightened, like noonday; on looking up, he saw a broken flame, more brilliant than he ever before witnessed, coursing its way from the northwest to the north, in a descending direction. When nearly to the northern point, it vanished and all was darkness; in a few seconds from this he heard a loud report in the direction in which the meteor disappeared, which very sensibly shook the earth; he heard a low, hoarse, rumbling noise in thinks that at the time of the light, he that direction, but in this he may have been deceived. The report was heard by many people in the neighborhood, and all join in corroborating the above statement; some thought it the report of a cannon--others an earthquake--and some thunder, but no clouds were to be seen above the horizon.

In Parsonsfield, Me. Major SAMUEL PEASE, a revolutionary soldier, aged 77.

In New Portland, Me. Mr. SHUBID WICKSON, a revolutionary pensioner, aged 78.

In Temple, Me. Mr. WILLIAM BLUNT, aged 87, a soldier in the old French War.

In Hopkinton, N. H. EBENEZER Lerned, M. D. a native of Massachusetts, and a graduate of Harvard College in 1787. He was elected a member of the New-Hampshire Medical Society in 1800, and for a number of years was President of the Centre District of the Associates belonging to the Society.

In Exeter, N. H. JOHN J. PARKER, Esq. aged 61. Mr. Parker had filled the office of Town Clerk for the period of twenty years, and had been for nearly that period Register of Probate for the county of Rockingham-which office had been filled by himself, father, and grandfather, for ninety-seven successive years.

In Durham, N. H. Hon. EBENEZER SMITH, counsellor at law; for several years a member of the Legislature, and of the Executive council.

In Dover, N. H. Mr. STEPHEN SAWYER, aged 79.

In Newburyport, Ms. Mr. PHILIP JOHNSON, aged 75-at the age of nineteen he volunteered and joined a company of Militia from Newburyport, under the command of Capt. Perkins, in the year 1775; and was in the battle on Bunker Hill.

In Salem, Ms. Mr. WILLIAM FRY, aged 82. In Worcester, Ms. Capt. PETER SLATER, aged 72. Captain Slater was one of the persons who disguised themselves and threw the Tea overboard in Boston harbor, in December, 1773. He was then an apprentice to a rope-maker, in Boston. He attended the meeting of the citi zens of Boston at the Old South Church, in the afternoon, where the question was agitated relative to the landing of the tea, and some communications were made to Rotch, the consignee of the cargoes. His master, apprehensive that something would take place relative to the tea then in the harbor, took Peter home and shut him up in his chamber. He escaped from the window, went to a blacksmith's shop, where he found a man disguised, who told Peter to tie a handkerchief round his frock, to black his face with charcoal and to follow him -the company soon increased to about twenty persons. Captain Slater went on board the brig with five others-two of them brought the tea upon deck-two broke open the chests and threw them overboard-and Captain Slater with one other, stood with poles to push them under water. Not a word was exchanged between the parties from the time they left Griffin's wharf till the cargo was emptied into the harbor, and they returned to the wharf and dispersed. This is the account of that memorable event as given by Captain Slater. He after

wards served as a soldier in the Revolution five years. He was a firm patriot, a brave soldier, a valuable citizen, and an honest man.

In Springfield, Ms. Col. ABEL CHAPIN, aged 75.

In Providence, R. I. General WILLIAM BARTON, aged 84. Early in the struggle for Independence, he embarked in the cause with an enthusiastic ardor highly honorable to his character as a patriot; and during the long period of his service as an officer, he exhibited the valuable qualities of prudence, decision and valor. The capture of General Prescott, at his

quarters on Rhode-Island, which was planned and executed by General Barton (then a Colonel in the American army) aided by a small detachment of trusty men, was one of the most hazardous achievements of those times. The services of General Barton were highly appreciated and duly honored by Congress in presenting him a sword, and also by a grant of land in Vermont, in the transfer of which, however, he unfortunately became entangled in the toils of the law, was subjected to numerous and heavy expenses, which eventuated in his imprisonment there, most unjustly, as was thought by himself and friends. He was deprived of his liberty for many years, away from his family, with scarce a hope for enlargement, until Lafayette visited this country, who learning the situation of his brave fellow-soldier, opened the prison doors.

In Guilford, Ct. WILLIAM TODD, Esq. Counsellor at Law, aged 45. The deceased was educated at Yale College, where he was graduated with the honors of the institution in 1806. He was a sound, well-read lawyer, and a most correct and exemplary man. As a public man, his sagacity, intelligence, and purity of charac ter, secured to him the respect and esteem of his associates, as well as the confidence and attachment of his constituents.

In Williamstown, Vt. General JOSHUA P BURNHAM, aged 45.

In Chittenden, Rutland county, Vt. ISAAC BUMP, a revolutionary patriot, aged 71.

In New-Jersey, Dr. WILLIAM C. M'CALL, a surgeon in the United States Navy.

In Hunterdon county, N. J. Mr. JOHN PRALL, aged 74, a soldier at the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth.

In New-York city, Mr. JAMES KERR, aged 34, President of the Hibernian Universal Benevolent Society of that city.

In Albany, N. Y. Rev. JOHN DE WITT, D. D. formerly Pastor of the South Dutch Church in that city, and at his death, Professor of Belles Lettres, Criticism and Logic in Rutgers College, and the Theological Seminary, at Brunswick, N.J. The period of his ministry was more than ten years, and although at its commencement there was towards him a strong feeling of admiration and regard, yet, like the shadow in the departing sun, it was growing and enlarging to the last, until at the termination of his pastoral functions, sentiments of exalted respect, of affectionate esteem, and with many, sincere love and veneration, were general throughout his congregation. This growing popularity was amply sustained by the success of his ministry. Since Dr. De Witt succeeded to the Professorate chair he has discharged the duties of his place without any diminution of his high reputation for talents, scholarship, and a sound and wellregulated mind.

In Rensselaerville, N. Y. ASA COLVARD, Esq. High Sheriff of the county of Albany, N. Y., aged 64.

In Albany, N. Y. Mr. JAMES E. THOMPSON, aged 71-a soldier of the Revolution.

In Carlisle, Penn. on the 29th of September, the Hon. WILLIAM RAMSAY, one of the Representatives to Congress from the district composed of the counties of Adams, Franklin, Cumberland and Perry, Pa.

In Philadelphia, Pa. REUBEN HAINES, Esq. of Germantown, aged 46. Inheriting at an early age an estate which made him perfectly independent, he nevertheless spent a

life of great and constant industry. Without engaging in enterprises of hazard, or in the practice of a profession, he devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, and his labors have done much to enrich the scientific department of that art; the Agricultural Society of Pennsylvania loses in him one of its most efficient officers. In the scientific and literary institutions of Philadelphia, the unwearied industry of Mr. Haines was rewarded by the affectionate esteem of his associates. As a man of remarkable zeal for science, extreme amiability, and the greatest purity of life, he was known and honored. From his residence in Germantown, he came to Philadelphia, as was his invariable custom on Tuesdays, to attend the meetings of the Academy of Natural Sciences. He was apparently in good health throughout the day, but expired at midnight.

In Philadelphia, BENJAMIN R. RHEES, M. D. late Professor of the Institutes of Medicine and Medical Jurisprudence in Jefferson College.

At a very advanced age, Rev. NICHOLAS COLLIN, D. D. Rector of the Swedish Churches in Pennsylvania.

The death of WILLIAM JONES, late collector of Philadelphia, was mentioned in our last. The following obituary notice has since been published. The deceased was a native of Philadelphia, and took an early and active part in our revolutionary struggle. When about sixteen years of age, he joined a volunteer company, and was present at the battles of Trenton and Princeton, suffering all the hardships of a winter campaign. He afterwards served on board of various armed vessels, during the revolutionary war. He was once severely wounded, and twice made prisoner, during that contest. He was Lieutenant with Commodore Truxton, in the Saint James, when she encountered and beat off, a British ship of war, greatly her superior in force-for his conduct in which action, captain Truxton spoke in high terms of the subject of this notice. After the close of the war, captain Jones entered the merchant service; in which profession he continued until the year 1790, when he settled at Charleston, S. C. from whence he removed to Philadelphia, in the year 1793. He represented Philadelphia in Congress, during the years 1802 and 1803; but finding the duties of that station to interfere with his business, he declined a re-election. He was Secretary of the Navy, during Mr. Madison's administration. He was afterwards appointed President of the United States Bank. The last public station he held, was that of Collector of Philadelphia. He was nearly twenty-six years a member of the American Philosophical Society, and he furnished that learned body with many valuable communications. Captain Jones had no children, but he has left numerous relatives and friends, who mourn his irreparable loss, who cherish a lively recollection of his virtues, a profound gratitude for his services, and in

whose affections his memory will forever remain embalmed."

In Newark, Del. on the 10th of September, Mrs. MARY THOMSON, aged 93. She was the only sister of Charles Thomson, whose services to this country as secretary of Congress during the revolutionary war, were so arduous and important. This lady was an infant and left in Ireland, at the time of the emigration of her father and brothers. The former died upon the passage, but the latter established themselves with great respectability in the country of their choice, and were joined by their sister when she had grown up. She lived with the secretary after the death of his lady, until his own decease-and it is but common justice to her virtuous and exemplary character to say of her, that she fulfilled her duties in life, was an affectionate relative, a kind neighbor, a steady friend and sincere christian. The longevity of this family has been remarkable; of six members, not one has died before attaining the age of eighty.

Near Baltimore, Capt JOHN FERGUSON, aged He was the first to establish a line of packets from Norfolk to Baltimore.

65.

In Baltimore, Lieut. J. A. DUMESTE, of the United States Army.

In Springfield, Albermarle Co, Va., Col. REUBEN LINDSAY, in the 84th year of his age. He commanded a regiment of militia during the several invasions of Virginia, and was among those who, after the surrender of Lord Cornwallis's army at York, received the thanks of General Washington for their disinterested and gallant conduct during that arduous campaign.

In Alexandria, D. C. PIERRE LA CROIX, aged 88-probably the last surviving soldier who served under Montcalm, at Quebec. He afterwards served during the revolution.

In Tallahasse, Florida, JAMES G. RINGGOLD, Esq. United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida.

In the Naval Hospital, Pensacola, Lieutenant PAUL H. HAYNE, of the Navy, an officer of fine qualities and great promise.

In Austin's settlement, Texas, Mr. WILLIAM R. DICKINSON, late of Steubenville, Ohio. Mr. D. was, till within a year or two, one of the first and most extensive wool growers of the western country, and it is to him more than to any other man, that that section of the Union is indebted for the introduction and improvement of fine wool sheep.

In Wapagkennetta, BLACKHOOF, one of the Chiefs of the Shawanese tribe of Indians, aged about 114. He was well known throughout the western country, as a formidable enemy in war, although the latter part of his warfaring life was devoted to the American cause. He was at St. Clair's, Harmar's and Crawford's defeat, and perhaps, at the time of his death, was the last man living who was in Braddock's defeat.

WORKS IN PRESS.

Carter & Hendee, Boston, have in press, an Introduction to the Study of Human Anatomy, with illustrations; by James Paxton, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, &c., and author of the notes and illustrations of Paley's Natural Theology, with additions, by an American Surgeon.-A Liturgy for the use of the Church at King's Chapel, in Boston; collected principally from the book of Common Prayer, fourth edition; to which are now added Forms of Family Prayer, and Private Devotion; together with a collection of Hymns for Domestic and Private Use; by Rev. F. W. P. Greenwood.-An Essay on Demonology, Ghosts and Apparitions, and Popular Superstitions in general, with numerous appropriate Anecdotes. Also, an account of the Witchcraft Delusion at Salem, in 1692; by James Thacher, M. D., A. A. S.-Stories from Common Life, with plates.-The Coronal, a Collection of Pieces; by Mrs. Child, author of The Mother's Book," "Frugal Housewife,' &c.-The Child's Book of American Geography-with 18 maps and 60 engravings; by the author of Parley's Tales.The Pearl, or Affections Gift, a Christmas and New Year's Present, for 1832; embellished with 10 engravings.-The Monthly Journal of Medical Literature, and American Medical Students' Gazette; a new periodical, edited by E. Bartlett, M. D., to be issued on the first of January.

F. S. Hill, Boston, has in press-Recollections of the Stage, by John Bernard, formerly of the Federal-street Theatre, Boston, in 2 vols., 12 mo.-Spain in 1830, by H. D. Inglis, 2 vols., 12 mo.-Characters of Theophrastus, 1 vol., 18 mo, 30 engravings.-The Vocal Annual, for 1832, 1 vol., 18 mo.-The Private Correspondence of David Garrick, 2 vols., 12 mo.

By Lilly & Wait, Boston-A new edition of Cooper on Dislocations, from the sixth London edition, with great improvements, and 13 additional plates.

By Munroe & Francis-Memoirs of John Frederic Oberlin, Pastor of Waldbach in the Ban de la Roche. From the 3d London edition.-A Manual of Surgery, founded upon the Principles and Practice taught by Sir Astly Cooper and Joseph Henry Green, Esq. From the 3d London edition; considerably enlarged, containing many additional notes from the writings of other distinguished surgeons. Edited by Thomas Castle, F. L. S. of Queen's College. -The Fifth Edition of Josse's Spanish Grammar and Exercises, revised, amended, improved and enlarged, by Francis Sales, instructer of French and Spanish at Harvard University.Wonderful Travels, being Narratives of Munchausen, Gulliver and Sinbad, abridged from the original works, with numerous alterations and original designs. By Miss Leslie. Every thing exceptionable in the original works has, in these epitomes, been carefully expunged, and much is also omitted that is uninteresting to young people; and this little work comprises all that any child need wish to know of those entertaining imaginary travellers, Munchausen, Gulliver and Sinbad.-Cards of Boston; comprising a variety of Facts and Descriptions, relative to that City in past and present times; so arranged as to form an instructive and amusing game for young people. By Miss Leslie. Comprising 60 cards, in a handsome case.

By J. T. & E. Buckingham, Boston-An Address delivered on the Dedication of the Cemetery of Mount Auburn, 24th Sept. 1831. By Joseph Story.

By Charles Whipple, Newburyport-The Amaranth, a Literary and Religious Offering, designed as a Christmas and New Year's Present, for 1832. This work will be printed on fine, paper and new type, and bound in a style not surpassed by any similar work published in this country. It will consist of original poetical and prose articles, written expressly for it by some of our best writers.-Guide to Piety, consisting of Directions to Persons just commencing a Religious Life; and A Memento from Christian Pastors to those who under their care have commenced a Religious Life. This will be a stereotype edition, in miniature quarto.

WORKS PUBLISHED.

By F. S. Hill, Boston-The Lives of the Players, by John Galt, Esq. author of the "Annals of the Parish," in 2 vols.-The Mirror of the Graces, 1 vol., 12mo. By a Lady.Flowers of Anecdote, Wit, Humor, Gayety and Genius, with etchings, 1 vol., 12 mo.-Beauties of Sheridan; consisting of Selections from his Poems, Dramas and Speeches, 1 vol., 18 mo.The Criminal Calendar, being an account of the most notorious Pirates, Highwaymen and other Malefactors who have figured in this hemisphere. By Henry St. Clair. 1 vol., 12 mo, 12 engravings.

By Lilly & Wait, Boston-The Library of Entertaining Knowledge, vol. 8, part 2-Pursuit of knowledge under difficulties, comprising the Biography of Remarkable Men, with an accurate likeness of James Watt.-A new edition, being the third American, from the last London edition, of the Lectures of Sir Astley Cooper, Bart. F. R. S. surgeon to the King, &c. &c., on the Principles and Practice of Surgery; with additional Notes and Cases, by Frederick Tyrrell, Esq., surgeon to St. Thomas's Hospital, and to the London Opthalmic Infirmary. In 3 vols., with colored plates.-A System of Human Anatomy, translated from the last French edition of H. Cloquet, M. D.; with Notes and a corrected Nomenclature.-En Elementary System of Physiology, by John Bostock, M. D., Member of the Medical and Chirurgical, the Astronomical and the Zoological Societies of London, Member and late President of the Edinburgh Medical Society, &c. In 3 vols. 8vo.-In 1 vol., quarto, splendidly executed and embellished with colored engravings, a Description of the Distinct, Confluent, and Inoculated Small Pox, Varioloid Disease, Cow Pox, and Chicken Pox, illustrated by 13 plates. By John D. Fisher, M. D.-Knowledge for the People, or the plain Why and Because. By John Timbs, Editor of Laconics. Part 1, upon Domestic Science.

By Gray & Bowen-A Natural History of the Globe, of Man, Beasts, Birds, Fishes, Reptiles and Insects. From the writings of Buffon, Cuvier, Lacepede, and other eminent Naturalists. To which are added, Elements of Botany. Edited by John Wright, Member of the Zoological Society in London. With about 500 engravings on wood. A new edition, with numerous additions, particularly respecting American Animals, from Richardson, Griffith, the Editors of the Zoological Gardens,' and Tower Menagerie,' Lewis and Clark, Long, Wilson, Godman, and others. In 5 vols., containing in all about 250 pages.-An Address delivered before the Boston Sunday School Society, on the celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Sunday School Institution, at the Federal-street Church, Sept 14, 1831. By Ezra S. Gannett.

By Carter & Hendee, Boston-Precedents of Indictments; to which is prefixed a Concise