SIR,

West-Point, October 30th, 1810.

I HAVE the honor to enclose you the result of our expeditions to the Catskill mountains. The altitude of those mountains is rather greater than I expected to find it. I have attached such specific names to the principal peaks, as I found made use of by the inhabitants. The Round-top (as it is called) is said to be the highest peak in the range, and next is the one called the High-peak. The turnpike-road from Catskill town, toward the Delaware river, passes over a considerably elevated part of the range. There are two considerable ponds (or lakes as they are called by the inhabitants) on the top of the mountains, near where the turnpike passes, the outlet of one of which is precipitated over the falls, called the HighFalls, the altitude of which (according to our calculation) is herein enclosed. By the altitudes of the two mountains, the Round-top and High-peak, above their own bases, is meant their altitudes above that part of the range on which they are situated.

I am, sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,

(Signed)

COL. J. WILLIAMS.

A. PARTRIDGE.

Barometrical calculations of the altitudes of the most elevated parts of the Catskill mountains above Hudson's river, and their bases, lying in the town of Windham, county of Green, state of New-York.

Feet.

Altitude of the Round-top, above the river,
Altitude of the High-peak, above the same,
Altitude of the highest part of the Turnpike,
above the same,

3566

3486

2273

Altitude of the highest part of the Turnpike,

Altitude of the Round-top, above the base of the

range of mountains, .

2911

Altitude of the High-peak, above the same,

2831

655

1550

1470

310/1/1

190

120

Altitude of the base of the mountains, above the

river,

Altitude of the Round-top, above its own base,
Altitude of the High-peak, above its own base,
Whole altitude of the High falls,

A. PARTRIDGE.

Captain Partridge was attended by several cadets from the military academy, and barometrical observations were made below, while he made those at the different heights in the above table; there can therefore be no doubt of his correctness.

Before I conclude this communication, I beg leave to make a remark, which appears to me, at least curious, if not otherwise of importance.

By the graduation of the barometers it would appear, that the range, from the most dense to the most rare state of the atmosphere, in Great Britain, is equal to the pressure of four inches of mercury, but in our country, it is rarely found to exceed one inch and a half, and in high situations much less. Among the mountains of Virginia,

* At West-Point, the greatest variation from April to October inclusive, was 1 inch 12-100, and, except in October, i. e. in the course of six months successively, the greatest change was 8-10 of an inch.

I have seen all the changes of the weather usual in the summer months, and a range of 40 degrees of the thermometer without altering the barometer more than 1-20 of an inch. It seems to be a settled fact, that the changes decrease as we ascend, and if a barometer were to be placed on our highest mountain, it would probably be at the same height all the year round. This does not affect the principle of barometrical calculation, (which has nothing to do with changes in the same place,) in observing the changes in the pressure of the atmosphere at different altitudes.

I shall leave the cause of this phenomenon to more experienced observers, but hope it will not be neglected; for unimportant as the fact may appear, at first view, it may be accompanied with circumstances of a salubrious nature, well worthy of investigation. Perhaps it may be found, in some degree, proportionate to the more or less moisture of the atmosphere in different countries, or in different parts of the same country. It is known by actual experiment, that the atmosphere of the United States is less moist than that of Great Britain; and, on high mountains, it is reasonable also to suppose, that the atmosphere, being less exposed to terrestrial exhalations, is still more dry. The subject demands a minute and accurate investigation, which can only be made by a succession of simultaneous observations, at various heights, from the level of the sea to the top of our highest mountain.

JONATHAN WILLIAMS.

VI.

An Account of an extraordinary case of DIABETES MELLITUS. Communicated in a letter to JOHN COAKLEY LETTSOM, M. & L. L. D. F. R. S. &c. &c. and President of the Medical Society of London, by VALENTINE MOTT, M. D. corresponding member of the Medical Society of London, &c. addressed to the Editors of the Medical and Philosophical Register.

New-York, 8 mo. 26th, 1810.

I SEND you the following case of Diabetes Mellitus, which was attended with some very extraordinary symptoms, not to be found in any case, as far as I know, upon record. Should you agree with me as to its importance, and think it worthy to be recorded, please to give it a place in the next number of your journal,

With an ardent desire that you will persevere in your laudable undertaking, to promote the cause of general science, I beg leave to subscribe myself, your assured friend,

VALENTINE MOTT, M. D.

R. H. ætat. 9, had been affected with the diabetes mellitus, for some months, without being able to assign any cause for it, except a severe cold, which his mother recollects he caught at school, and from which time she can date the commencement of the complaint. She observed him to make a large quantity of clear, limped urine, and,

upon tasting it, found, as she feared, that it was very sweet, which convinced her it was the diabetes. Medical advice was immediately taken. He was ordered some astringent medicine, and an animal diet was enjoined, and adhered to for a little while, but he soon loathed it, and could not be made, from his untractable age, to obey their injunctions. His urine was now very sweet to the taste, and from four to six pints in quantity daily.

In this way he went on for a considerable time, without any alteration for the better, taking occasionally some astringent medicines. At length he took some of the tinct. of kino, which diminished the quantity, and altered the quality of the urine; but upon increasing the dose, it produced alarming constipation of the bowels, with violent pain in the head and general febrile indisposition, though the urine had nearly become natural, as to quality and quantity. Great hopes were entertained, that by the careful and judicious use of this powerful astringent, the disease would be totally eradicated: these highly flattering prospects soon vanished, as the moment it was increased, so as to produce any effect upon the disease, those alarming symptoms above described, immediately supervened, and made it necessary to omit it entirely. In this way he passed on, without much being done, except now and then taking some of the simple domestic infallibles of the good old mother and others, with the disease gradually on the increase.

The foregoing account was given me by his parents, who had paid more than ordinary attention to the case from the beginning.