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Remarks on the geology of South Africa
No full textThis article presents early 19th-century geological observations on South Africa, specifically addressing the discovery and nature of Organic Remains (fossils) across the Cape Colony, contradicting earlier assumptions that the region lacked such valuable monuments of a former world.
The author, Rev. Dr George Thom, notes that fossils—chiefly shells, trilobites, and encrinites—are predominantly found on the surfaces of inland plains and slightly embedded in argillaceous schist beyond the main primitive mountain range (Tulbagh, Worcester, etc.). He highlights the Karoo hills as the most abundant sources of specimens, providing evidence of an "ancient ocean; or of a great aqueous catastrophe."
Dr Thom credits a Mr Enslin with the first crucial recognition of the Shelly strata as true Organic Remains around 1804 or 1805 at the Keizie Baths. He distinguishes these older fossils, often found enveloped in hard schist or rounded pebbles, from more recent calcareous shell deposits found along the eastern and western coasts. The author reports collecting numerous specimens, including a unique cockle/muscle, a siliceous pebble of fossil coral from the Orange River, and many examples of the trilobite and encrinite (stone lily), concluding that the region offers a clear record for the "Geological inquirer" to read and understand
Miscellaneous Intelligence
Get PDFThis section of miscellaneous intelligence encompasses a diverse range of topics across the Arts, Agriculture, Natural History, and Medicine.
Arts & Engineering
Cylindrical Railway-Carriage: An invention by Mr P. Fleming of New York, described by Dr Jones. The carriage uses a hollow cylinder with external iron rims/hoops for wheels. Goods can be stowed inside, or long materials (like bars or lumber) can pass through it. Traction sometimes uses an endless rope mechanism to save friction. For passenger transport or goods that must not revolve, a weighted inner cylinder is suspended on the axis to remain stationary while the outer cylinder rolls, though this returns somewhat to the ordinary wagon principle.
Agriculture
Lime Kilns: Mr Menteath advocates for narrow kilns with nearly perpendicular sides (in the shape of an egg or oval) as they burn lime more quickly and efficiently, yielding approximately three measures of lime shells for every measure of coal, compared to wide kilns that require nearly one measure of coal for every two measures of lime.
Oleaginous Plants: Discusses the importance of fixed oils (Olive, Nut, and seed oils) derived from plants like the olive, rape, poppy, and flax. It notes that cultivation of oleaginous herbs often exhausts the soil, but the remaining oil cake serves as excellent manure due to the presence of azote.
Lucerne in Scotland: Mr Cunninghame reports that Lucerne (Medicago sativa) thrives best on deep, soft loam or any dry soil with a loose subsoil. It is a valuable fodder crop and an effective substitute for tares. He claims an acre of lucerne produces at least one-third more green food or hay than clover and rye-grass.
Natural History & Medicine
Dragon Flies (Libellula): Describes the highly predatorial habits of the insect in its perfect (aerial) state, and its fascinating aquatic nymph stage. The nymph is noted for its unique mode of locomotion via ejecting a jet of water from its anal/respiratory extremity (functioning as a syringe and piston) and the final metamorphosis process.
Stature of Men in France: Dr Villermé\u27s memoir demonstrates that, ceteris paribus, human stature is generally higher in wealthy countries and cities than in poorer/rural areas. In the Allier department, 55 out of 100 young men were under 4 feet 10 inches, compared to only 8 out of 100 in the richer Doubs department, significantly skewing conscription chances.
Anomalous Animal Appearance: Joseph E. Muse recounts two instances on his farm near Cambridge, where fish (Perch species, 4 to 15 inches long) appeared in a recently dug, elevated ditch with no surface water connection. A separate account provides medical testimony of a young woman who vomited four live/recently dead salamander lizards (erroneously called "ground puppies," genus Lacerta), which she was inferred to have swallowed in their nascent state while frequently drinking swamp water.
Human Pathology: The section concludes by advocating for the experimental study of animal diseases to advance the understanding and treatment of human pathology, emphasising that animal subjects allow for the study of morbid phenomena under the action of diverse medicines
Analysis of the calcareous tuffa at Green Point
Get PDFThis article is a letter from J. H. Trepgorp to Dr A. Smith, detailing the chemical analysis of a specimen of calcareous tuffa (limestone) collected from Green Point, Cape Town (Cape Colony).
The author performed several experiments on 100-grain samples of the stone:
Sulphuric Acid Treatment: This method isolated and measured the Aluminous earth content, which was determined to be 4 grains (4%).
Nitric Acid Treatment: This experiment measured the volatile components and the insoluble residue. It expelled 38 grains of Carbonic Acid and left 12 grains (12%) of Siliceous earth undissolved.
Calcination: By heating the sample, the total loss of mass was 42 grains. Allowing 4 grains for water, the remaining 38 grains confirm the proportion of Carbonic Acid.
From these results, Mr Trepgorp concluded the approximate composition of the stone per 100 lbs. is:
Carbonate of Lime: ≈ 84 lbs.
Siliceous Earth: 12 lbs.
Aluminous Earth: 4 lbs.
(Including a small portion of water)
The analysis identifies the stone as being primarily Carbonate of Lime
Some remarks on the Bushmen of the Orange River
No full textIn this early nineteenth-century ethnographic account, Assistant Surgeon Lewis Leslie offers detailed observations of the Bushmen (San) communities inhabiting the region along the Orange River and Hornberg. Leslie’s remarks focus on their physical characteristics, living conditions, social organisation, and cultural practices. He describes their small stature, symmetrical physiques, and austere lifestyle, emphasising their independence and resistance to subjugation by colonial farmers (Boers). The paper discusses Bushmen dwellings, weaponry—particularly their skill with poisoned arrows and the plant-based toxins used—methods of treating wounds through cupping and suction, and remarkable endurance under conditions of scarcity. Leslie also notes their artistic rock engravings, musical traditions, cosmological beliefs, and ritual practices associated with the sun and death. While reflective of the scientific curiosity of its time, the account is deeply marked by colonial and racialised assumptions, providing insight both into early anthropological perspectives and the lived experiences of the Bushmen along the Orange River during the early 1800s
Remarks on the Mineral Springs at the Koogha: in a letter to John Arthur, Esq. M. D.
Get PDFDr Mair is writing to John Arthur about the natural mineral springs at the Koogha area. Several Mineral Springs are found on the farm of Mr Niekirk, which receives its name from its situation on the western bank of a small river, the Koogha, and is about ten miles distant from Uitenhage and twenty-five from Port Elizabeth. The country for many miles around is composed of strata of clay and limestone, with occasional tracks of sand
Memoir relative to the Captaincy of the Rios de Senna, a Portuguese Settlement, on the South-East Coast of Africa.
Get PDFThis document is a Memoir submitted by the late Governor TERAO, structured as a statistical analysis of the Captaincy of the Rios de Senna (located on the SE coast of Africa, roughly between 15∘ and 20∘ South latitude). The preliminary discourse defines statistics as the science of state production, riches, and force, emphasising population and subsistence as its foundation.
The Memoir addresses the Captaincy\u27s backwardness and seeks to identify the causes and remedies for its poor state across seven sections, starting with Extent and Limits (a territory of about 3,600 square leagues, largely defined by the Zambezi River).
The section on Population reveals a critical deficit, with the capitated population being only 502 across three towns and two ports in 1806, resulting in a density of about one person per 7 square leagues. The lack of growth is attributed to faulty legislation, particularly insecure land proprietorship, excessive estate sizes, and the detrimental influence of Dominican Friars, who allegedly obstructed marriage for financial gain. A large number of slaves are reported as absent (deserted), showing nearly equal numbers to those present (∼10,960 present vs. ∼10,867 absent).
The Agriculture section highlights severe indolence and ignorance among the white inhabitants. While the land is fertile (suitable for sugar cane, coffee, cotton, and indigo—all largely ignored), production is meagre. The main cultivated crops are rice (successful at Quillimane due to the soil, not intelligence) and millet or maize/maize by the colonists/slaves. The key exports are gold, ivory, and slaves from the interior, with agricultural exports being a minor fraction. The author starkly contrasts the small export value (cruzados from square leagues of influence) with the potential value of a single, well-managed American island like Martinique, arguing that the territory could export 154 million cruzados if properly developed