;" but on a more careful
analysis, Signor Bizio procured from it a substance _sui generis_
[peculiar in kind], which he calls melania. "The melania is a tasteless,
black powder, insoluble in alcohol, ether, and water, while cold, but
soluble in hot water: the solution is black. Caustic alkalies form with
it a solution even in the cold, from which the mineral acids precipitate
it unchanged. It contains much azote: it dissolves in, and decomposes,
sulphuric acid: it easily kindles at the flame of a candle: it has been
found to succeed, as a pigment, in some respects better than China ink."
(_Edin. Phil. Journ._, vol. xiv. p. 376.)

[15] "The ink secreted in this bag has been said to be thrown out
to conceal the animal from its pursuers; but, in a future
lecture, I shall endeavour to show that this secretion is to
answer a purpose in the animal economy connected with the
functions of the intestines." (Hume's _Comp. Anat._ vol. i.
p. 376.) Dr. Coldstream, in a letter to the author, detailing
the manners of Octopus ventricosus in captivity, says, "I have
never seen the ink ejected, however much the animal may have
been irritated." I have, however, been told by our fishermen,
that they have seen this species eject the black liquid, with
considerable force, on being just taken from the sea.

[16] Sir B. Sibbald says that the Loligo, or hose-fish, besides
its ink has another purple juice. (_Scot. Illust._ vol. ii.
lib. 3. p. 26.) I find no mention of this in any other author.

* * * * *

LUXURIANCE OF NATURE.

Upper Louisiana (we are told) has all the trees known in Europe, besides
others that are here unknown. The cedars are remarkably fine; the cotton
trees grow to such a size, that the Indians make canoes out of their
trunks; hemp grows naturally; tar is made from the pines on the sea
coast; and the country affords every material for ship-building. Beans
grow to a large size without culture; peach trees are heavily laden with
fruit; and the forests are full of mulberry and plum trees. Pomegranates
and chestnut trees are covered with vines, whose grapes are very large
and sweet. There are three or four crops of Indian corn in the year; as
there is no other winter besides some rains. The grass grows to a great
height, and towards the end of September is set on fire, and in e