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best anatomists. It is positively asserted by Dr. Blumenbach, § 42. p. 117, of the work already quoted. "Epidermis structura simplicissima, nervis, vasisque plane destituta." And, with regard to the opinion, or the fact stated in the second, hear the same author, p. 118. "Utrumque quoque hocce affine stratum sedem coloris integumentorum ita constituit, ut in candidis hominibus, &c. in fusis vero, aut alio colore infectis, princeps pigmentum cutaneum reticulo Malpighiano inhæreat et quo fuscius reticulum sit, eo crassius quoque, et propius ad membranulæ sui generis speciem accedens." Again, p. 162, speaking of the smooth and silky, and shining appearance of the skin in dark coloured nations, particularly in the Caribæans, Ethiopians, Otaheiteans, and even the Turks, he says; "In omnibus sive a teneriore epidermidis, sive a crassiore muci Malpighiani strate pendere, in aprico est."

What, now, are we to think of Dr. J. A. Smith's acquaintance with Blumenbach? What are we to think of his acquaintance with his own profession, since he declares he has never met with these opinions, nor with any thing like them?* -- Dr. J. A.

*He may find them in a great variety of authors which are in the hands of every naturalist.

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Smith, likewise, in order to impugn the principles of the essay on the subjects both of the cause, and the scat of colour, is pleased to say; "so far as I know, the bile does not tinge the rete muscosum, but remains in cutis, and colours that in the same manner that it does the opaque cornea of the eye." Yet the same great anatomist, whom I have already quoted so often, calls this fold of the skin, "sedem coloris." And further adds, "utrumque stratum ita constituit natura, ut princeps pigmentum cutaneum reticulo Malpighiano inhæreat."*

Let the reader now judge of the modesty of that gentleman in the following sentence in which he evidently alludes to the author of the essay. "Men who call themselves philosophers, or who wish others to consider them as such, too often suppose that this title is acquired, not by a thorough acquaint-ance with a few sciences, but by a superficial knowledge of the whole: hence they frequently incur the ridicule of the world by writing on subjects of which they are ignorant."-I certainly owe Dr. James Augustine Smith many thanks for this prudent ad-monition, this gentle discipline, which, no doubt,

*Edit. Gottingæ apud Vandenhock et Ruprecht, 1795.