Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1825-09-08
Nelp YORK, Ancnsk 81.

Neto York, august 81.
HoRTIcULTuRAL-Yetr day the
New York horticultural Society eel.
ebrated their anniversary. TheS ocie-
~ met at Sykes, and transacted their
usual business. The exhibition of
fruits & vegetables has never been sur
passed, If ever equalled. One musk
melon, in particular weighed 50
pounds, and was raised by Mr.. Par.
mentier, of the largest and richest
kinds, and proved how far the society
had advanced in this useful art.-Af
ter business, the society sat down to a
splendid dinner, at which several
strangers of distinction and que sts
were invited. The President, Dir
Hosack, in short address, made
known the improvements and increas
ing advantages ofthe society since their
last anniversary. The desert consis
ted of the premium aud voluntary do
nations of members; and such display
of rich and varied fruits, we venture
TO say, has never before been spread
on table in this country.
Mr. Buchanan, the British Consul,
being called on for toast, observed
We have heard of much plants, flow,
ers, and fruits, and we have display
at our table, highly honorable to this
Society, and truly grateful to the pa
late. But as an lrishman, permit me
to speak Of plant Of which all par
take with pleasure-need I name the
Potatoe!! l therefore beg to give you
The memory Of SirWalter Raleigh,
who first Introduced potatoes into Eu
rope-Above 2OG years have passed,
since we received that benefit from
South America; and now, we have
made a return equal to so great bless.
ing, by aiding them in establishing
their liberties.
The Devil Sucker of South Amer.
icG In many of the butskOr habia-
tons in the Indian villages passing up
the great rivers, is to be found the ne
vii sticker. 1t is of a soft, spongy
nature and smooth skin, not unlike
the large slug of England 1t is
brought into the hut with fire-wood,
or it may creep in from the out side
unperceived. 1t, however, crawls
up the side wall, and getting on the
edge of the rafters of the ceiling, to
which it adhcres, ii looks like a small
ball, or more properly, like the slugs
cooled up. It is Frequently known to
drop from its hold without being mo-
Tested, and wherever it falls it throws
out from its body five or six fangs,
which are barded Ike fish hook, aud
into whatever softer materials than
brick or stone it chances to fall, these
fanss enter; nor can it be removed
unless by cutting the animal oil, and
picking the prongs out of the substance
into which they are firmly fastened.
When they fall on the persons of those
who happen to sit or stand underneath,
the consequence is dreadful. saw
one man, who an hour or two before
had one of these devils alight on his
hand, and he was obliged to have it
cut Oft, and the claws and faRgs re-
moved by picking them out with the
point of large needle-His hand was
immoderately swelled, and very pain.
ful; but an immersion in warm oil or
fat removed the pain, and restored the
hand to its usual appearance.
Electric Phenomenon.-A new
feathersbed was put into cold and
damp room, and person incautiousIy
went TO sleep in it, without the pre-
caution ofhaving had fire in the room
during the day, to remove the damp
ness. Scarcely had he been ten min
utes in bed, when he fancied he saw
light issuing from bis eyes. For this
suppostlon he had the possible reason,
as, from the situation OF the room,
there was no, the least Granny or
pening at which light could be suppo
sed TO enter, the doors and windows
being completely shut and fastened.
lie paldno attention to this circum
stance athrst, lhlrking it was the eff