much regularity and safety, and with less
expense, than our fleets convey our goods to and from the West
Indies.

The expense of such a fortified station as is here proposed, would
be very moderate, in comparison with the advantages it would
produce; and it would be easy to draw out a plan for it; but I do
not think it would be proper to go into a detail here,--_"non est
hic locus."_

It has been well observed, that commerce is the key of Africa; and
I shall only add, that if the plan I have suggested were carried
into execution, these interesting regions of Africa, that have
heretofore baffled the attempts of curiosity and enterprise, and
remained for so many ages a "sealed book" to the inhabitants of
Europe, would soon be explored and laid open. This is an object
429 that cannot be indifferent to a prince, who has so evidently
evinced a desire to patronise science, and who is undoubtedly
desirous to encourage, to facilitate, and to increase, still
further the vast geographical discoveries which have added such
lustre to the reign of his august father.

To return to Mr. Jackson's book. This work contains, besides the
information that more directly concerns the statesman and the
merchant, much interesting matter for the natural and moral
philosopher, as well as for the general reader. The author makes no
pretension to fine writing; his style is plain, unaffected, and
perspicuous, and there is as much new, authentic, and important
matter in the book, as in the hands of the French writers of
African travels, (Golberry, Vaillant, and Savary, for instance,)
would have been spread over three times the space. Upon the whole,
it is the most valuable work of the kind that has appeared for many
years. I hope the author will reap the reward which his labours
have so well deserved.

JAMES WILLIS.

_Of the Venomous Spider.--Charmers of Serpents.--Disease called
Nyctalopia, or Night-blindness.--Remedy for Consumption in
Africa.--Western Branch of the Nile, and Water Communication
between Timbuctoo and Egypt_.

Sir,

The venomous spider (_Tendaraman_). This beautiful reptile is
somewhat similar to a hornet in size and colour, but of a rounder
430 form; its legs are about an inch long, black, and very strong; it
has two bright yellow li