we judged that it might be demonstrated by this method of proceeding. But the possibility of such a structure seemed to be irreconcileable with the origination of the levator ani, from the internal surface of the ischium and pubis, as described by John Bell, Wistar, and other anatomical writers.* Satisfied, therefore, that some inaccuracy had crept into this part of the description of the prostate fascia, we turned our attention to the prostate gland. This was seen to be invested with a fascia, in all that part of its surface which is not in contact with the bladder.†

The levator ani muscle was now removed, and thus a fuller view was obtained of this fascia, running on each side from the medial line of the prostate, in a direction upward, backward, and outward, in contact with the neck of the bladder, until it almost reached that part of this viscus which is opposite to the superior margin of the foramen thyroideum. It was then seen to leave the sides of the bladder, to insert itself into the brim of the pelvis.‡

nus muscle. The best description, perhaps, that could be given of it, would be to state, that the fascia which covers the obturator internus muscle, having reached the rami of the ischium and pubes, forms there a connexion with the inner margins of these processes, and that from this it runs down, and is at last lost by becoming inserted into the basis of the prostate gland, and into the rectum, where it lies below and exterior to the gland. Mr. Pattison's Paper in the Medical Recorder, vol. iii. p. 11.

* It [the levator ani] continues its origin from the internal surface of the pubis, all the way to the sacrum. It grows gradually smaller, as it goes downwards to surround the anus. So it is inserted into the point of the os coccygis, and it is mixed with the spincter ani muscle. The whole pelvis is lined with it like a funnel or inverted cone. The wider part representing its origin from the pelvis; the narrower part, its insertion into the anus. The whole bladder is surrounded and covered with this muscle. Bell's Anatomy. The levator ani arises from the os pubis, within the pelvis, as far up as the edge of the foramen thyroideum, and the joining of the os pubis and os ischium, forms the thin membrane that covers the obturator internus, and coccygeus muscle, from the spinous process of the os ischium. Wistar's Anatomy.

This fascia must be cut by every incision into the prostate gland. This probably is the fascia described by Professor Pattison. The place of its attachment to the bladder, and the slight degree of obliquity of that attachment to the incision of the prostate in the lateral operation of litho

Here then was the perineal side of the partition between the perineum and the pelvis.

The peritoneum having been dissected from the iliac fascia, the bladder was next separated from the sides of the pelvis, and some interposed adipose substance removed. The fascia iliaca was thus seen to extend from the linea ilio-pectinea downwards, in contact with the sides of the pelvis, about half way to the superior margin of the foramen thyroideum; or, to state it more particularly, until it reached an imaginary semi-elliptical line over the foramen thyroideum, the middle of which should be equi-distant from that foramen and the linea ilio-pectinea. Along this line the iliac fascia leaves the walls of the pelvis, and passing towards the bladder, it forms the pelvic side of the partition, between the pelvis and the perineum, and having reached that part of the viscus, which is a little below the centre of the foramen thyroideum, it is reflected upwards, and is lost upon the fundus.

The bladder having been moderately inflated with air, was drawn a little to one side, and by placing the parts before a strong light, a transparent membrane was beautifully displayed, consisting of the first-described fascia, coming up from the prostate and inferior surface of the bladder; and of the last-described extension of the iliac fascia; formed, in fact, by the two lamina of the iliac fascia before they separate to cover respectively the inferior and superior surface of that viscus. This fascia resembles, in shape, the superficies of a longitudinal section of an egg, but is rather smaller. Its attachment to the sides of the pelvis is such as I have described, and it applies itself to the bladder along a line drawn somewhat above the base of the prostate, in a direction backwards and upwards.

In its course from the sides of the pelvis to the bladder, it passes obliquely inward, downward, and forward.

It is scarcely to be expected, that mere description

tomy, would seem to place it entirely out of the reach of the gorget, or knife employed according to the rules commonly laid down.

should convey clear ideas of a structure so complicated as that under consideration. It is believed, however, that the above account will enable any one, moderately versed in anatomy, to dissect the parts in such a way as to satisfy himself of the correctness of what has been stated.

The importance of an exact knowledge of the partition between the pelvis and the perineum, in the operation of puncturing the bladder per perineum,* and in accidental injuries of these parts, and the adaptation of the lowest part of the iliac fascia to the several purposes of supporting, allowing of a rising of that viscus when distended, and finally of limiting the extent of its rising, are too obvious to escape notice.

The relaxation of the levator ani by the descent of this extension of the iliac fascia, with which it is closely connected, and from which it would appear, indeed, to receive its origin, may perhaps explain, in some degree, the facility with which the fæces are evacuated after urination, and the impossibility of emptying simultaneously the bladder and the rectum at the same time.

New-York, Jan. 1821.

Vegetable Thunder-Rods.

From some ingenious experiments, made by Lapostolle, Apothecary at Amiens, it appears that straw is as perfect a conductor of electricity as any of the metals. With the end of a cord of this material an inch long, the electric fluid may be drawn from the strongest battery, without experiencing the slightest shock. The discoverer thinks the

In puncturing the bladder per perineum, this partition between the pelvis and the perineum would be drawn more out of the reach of the trocar, if the anus were at the same time pushed up, which probably would also tend to remove the pouch of the rectum from the point of the trocar, and the edge of the gorget in the operation of Lithotomy,

country may be sheltered from the ravages of thunder, and even of hail, by elevating on every sixty acres a pole twenty feet high, with a straw cord, surmounted by a metallic point.

(Jour. Universel des Scien. Med.)

An Account of the Births, Marriages, and Deaths, in Paris,

(From disappointment in love
From disgust of life, mental alien-
ation, and domestic troubles
From dissipation, gambling, de-
bauchery

SUICIDES From poverty, loss of occupa

tion, or derangement of affairs

From fear of reproach or pun

ishment

25

116

52

376

93

12

78

(Journal Universel des Sciences Médicales.)

Description of two mammiferous Animals of North America. By SAMUEL L. MITCHILL, M. D. Professor, &c.

(Read before the Lyceum of Natural History.)

The FEDERATION SQUIRREL of the region situated near the sources of the River Mississippi.

SCIURUS tridecem-lineatus; juxta fontes fluvii Mississippi habitans.

The thirteen stripes along the back of this superb little quadruped, place him in a remarkable association with the thirteen states of the North American confederacy, and with the thirteen stripes and thirteen stars of their flag.It is about the size of the ground squirrel, or Sciurus Striatus. The length rather less than twelve inches; measuring from the nose to the extremity of the tail. The tail itself is about three inches long.

There are four claws on the fore-feet, and five on the hinder. Body slender; head taper; nose pointed. The most striking and remarkable character of this animal, is his variegated back. Of this the colour is a sorrel, or dark chesnut, which extends down the sides. Through this run, longitudinally, whitish stripes or lines, and rows of whitish spots alternately. At the nape of the neck commences the middle line, which is continued for more than half its length, whence it becomes interrupted with spots until it reaches the tail, where it terminates. On each side of this líne, which is parallel to the spine of the back, are three continued lines, and three dotted lines, reaching from the head to the rump. The two immediately, next the middle line, one on each side, are continued lines. The two next to these, one on each side, are dotted lines, or rows of spots; there being twenty spots in each that can be distinctly counted; and so on by turns, until the whole thirteen are displayed.

The colour of the belly, breast, and throat, is pale yel