BLACK. exercise, brought on a spitting of blood. His natural ten- dency to these complaints was materially increased by the sedentary life to which stüdy confined him, and he always found themi aggravated by intense thinking. In addition to this, he was so particular in his notions of the manner in which a work intended for publication should be exe- cuted, that the pains he took in arranging the plan never failed to affect his health, and oblige him to desist. This completely prevented him from proceeding in what his friends had strenuously recommended, in consequence of the disingenuous treatment he had met with,-ab account of his observations and discoveries. As an author, he is known only by his Dissertatio Inauguralis," which was the work of duty; his "Experiments on Magnesia," &e. mentioned above, which was necessary to explain and establish what he had asserted in his inaugural disser- tation. His " Observations on the more ready Freezing of Water that has been boiled," were extorted from him, and published in the Philosophical Transactions for 1774; and the "Analysis of the Waters of some boiling Springs in Iceland," which exhibits much ability in explaining the formation of siliceous 'earth, was written at the request of ehis friend T. J. Stanley, Esq. and read before the Royal Society at Edinburgh, and published by their Council. These are the only works which have appeared from the pen of Dr. Black. His lectures were published after his death, in 1803, by his friend and pupil, Professor Robison, 彈 80 in two volumes, quarto. His only apprehension, we are informed, was that of a long-continued sick bed; less, perbaps, from any selfish feeling, than from the consideration of the trouble an distress which it would occasion to his friends; and never was so generous a wisb more completely gratified. On the 26th of November, 1799, in the 71st year of his age, he expired without convulsion, shock, or stupor; sitting at table with his usual fare, some bread, a few prunes, and a measured quantity of inilk diluted with water, having the
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