t's opinion; for he combines the advantages
of a regular medical education with great acuteness of mind, and I
believe him to be as well acquainted with the general laws of organic
life as any person living: and I think his opinion deserves some
support, from the well known fact, that the duration of human life has
been much greater in England during the last sixty years, than in the
preceding period of the same duration. Bread made of wheat, when taken
in large quantities, has probably, more than any other article of
food in use in this country, the effect of overloading the alimentary
canal: and the general practice of the French physician points out the
prevalence of diseases thence arising amongst their patients. I do
not, however, think, or mean to say, that potatoes alone are proper
food for any human being: but I feel confident, that four ounces of
meat, with as large quantity of good potatoes as would wholly take
away the sensation of hunger, would afford, during twenty-four hours,
more efficient nutriment than could be derived from bread in any
quantity, and might be obtained at much less expense."--_Trans. Hort.
Soc. quoted in Gardeners' Mag._

* * * * *

THE GATHERER.

* * * * *

CLOCK-MAKING IN THE NINTH CENTURY.

The Caliph Haroun al Raschid is stated to have maintained an unbroken
friendship with his contemporary Charlemagne, throughout their mutual
reign. A variety of magnificent presents attested the esteem of the
caliph for his Christian friend. Among them were several objects,
which tend to show the advance which art had made, at this time in the
East. The first of these was a clock of gilded bronze, round which the
course of the twelve hours was displayed; while, at the end of each
hour, the number of brazen balls which were requisite to mark
the division of time, were thrown out from above, and falling
consecutively on a cymbal below, struck the hour required. In like
manner a number of horsemen issued forth from windows placed around
the dial; while a number of other clock-work miracles attested the
height which the mechanical arts had reached at the court of Haroun.

The carriage of such objects, as the above presents sent from Bagdad
to France, was, of course, attended with no small inconvenience;
and the neglected state of the science of navigation, rendered the
journeys of the ambassadors long and dangerous. Between three