equals 633,644.36 cubic miles, or is equal to the mass of the Alps. The chlorid of magnesium, 441,811-80 cubic miles; the lime salts, 109,339-44 cubic miles. The above supposes the mean depth to be but 300 meters, as estimated by Humboldt. Admitting with Laplace, that the mean depth is 1000 meters, which is more probable, the mass of marine salt will be more than double the mass of the Himalaya. 10. Geological Map from Soundings.-In a communication from Lieut. M. F. Maury, U.S.N., we learn that the proposition to construct a geological chart of our coast from the "records" of soundings, or the use of the troll, was suggested by him to the "National Institute" in December, 1840, thus anticipating Lieut. Bache.* The idea is not a novel one abroad. Lieut. Bache's proposition included beyond this, the constructing of the chart by glueing on, in its proper order, the material collected. 11. Science at Cambridge.-Hon. Abbott Lawrence has made a second donation of $50,000 to the Department of Science in Harvard University. 12. Expedition in search of Sir John Franklin.-This Expedition, under Sir James Ross, has left England. It consists of two vessels, the Enterprise and Investigator, the first of 470 tons and the latter of 420, which are built as strong as wood and iron can make them, with due reference to their sailing qualities. A launch is attached to each ship fitted with screw propellers, which are to be worked with steam, and will make on an average seven miles an hour. VI. BIBLIOGRAPHY. 1. Researches on the Chemistry of Food and the motion of the juices in the animal body; by JUSTUS LIEBIG, M.D. Edited from the manuscript of the author, by WILLIAM GREGORY, M.D., and from the English Edition, by EBEN N. HORSFORD, A.M., Rumford Professor in the University at Cambridge. Lowell, D. Bixby & Co. 1848, 12mo., pp. 219. -Prof. Horsford has conferred an acceptable service in promptly bring ing out this edition of the last work of the great chemist whose name it bears. The title fully indicates the topics of discussion-which it is needless to say are handled with a master's hand. Some of the new views on the flesh fluids and upon endosmosis have already been presented to the readers of this Journal. (See vol. v, p. 415.) The two separate topics named in the title are the subject of distinct discussion under two heads, and form in fact two separate treatises. The volume will be eagerly sought by all chemists and physiologists, and it is not easy to say to which class it is most important. 2. Carices America Septentrionalis Exsiccata, edidit H. P. SARTWELL, M.D. Part I. Penn Yan. 1848.-Dr. Sartwell is well known as one of our most zealous botanists, and has long paid great attention to the vast and intricate genus Carex, as the rich collections which he has for many years so liberally distributed among botanists abundantly testify. His name is indissolubly associated with the genus in all our * See page 318 of last volume. current works and Floras. Wishing at length to distribute his admira. ble dried specimens of Carices in a more systematic way, he has prepared and published a choice series of specimens, seventy in number, with printed tickets and title-page, under the appellation given above. We understand that the sets are not on sale,-for no sum which they would be likely to command would afford any pecuniary compensation for the time and pains bestowed upon them, but are intended for distribution among his botanical correspondents. Having been favored with a copy of this valuable work, the writer wishes to record his sense of the value of such well-authenticated specimens to all students of Carices and they are many-and to state that the specimens are remarkably beautiful and complete. Several represent peculiarly rare and interesting species, such as C. dioica, which Dr. Sartwell discovered in this country. C. scirpoidea, C. Willdenovii and its near allies C. Steudelii and C. Backii; C. Sartwellii, C. decomposita, C. Cruscorvi, C. alopecoidea of Tuckerman, C. Fraseri, C. tenuiflora, C. sychnocephala of Carey, the recently detected American representative of C. cyperoides, C. Liddonii, C. torta, of Boott, C. salina, C. flacca, C. livida, and C. Crawei. Trusting that Dr. Sartwell will continue this publication so as to furnish similar fine specimens of all our Carices, we suggest the propriety of adding the name of the collector to the ticket,-a point of the more importance since the loose specimens are likely to be distributed in herbaria apart from the title page,-and also of printing the habitat with sufficient fulness to indicate clearly the place intended. A. GR. 3. Statistics of Coal; the Geographical and Geological Distribution of Mineral Combustibles or Fossil Fuel, including also notices and localities of the various Mineral Bituminous substances employed in the Arts and Manufactures, illustrated by numerous Maps and Diagrams, embracing four official reports of the great Coal-producing Countries, the respective amounts of their Production, Consumption and Commercial Distribution in all parts of the World, together with their Prices, Tariffs, Duties and International Regulations, accompanied by nearly 400 Statistical Tables and eleven hundred analyses of Mineral Combustibles, with incidental statements of the Statistics of Iron Manufactures derived from authentic authorities; prepared by RICHARD COWLING TAYLOR, Fellow of the Geol. Soc. London, etc., 754 pp. 8vo. Philadelphia, 1848.-The extent of the above work as regards whatever pertains to coal either scientifically or economically, is evident from the above title and it is a sufficient guarantee for its completeness and accuracy on all points on which it touches, that it received before publication the highest and most unqualified praise at one of the meetings of the American Association of Geologists and Naturalists, which was followed by a general subscription for copies of the work. An examination of the volume, now that it has appeared from the press, gives us a still higher opinion of the talents and industry of its author, and the great value of his labors. It meets the wants of those economically interested in coal mines, by its various detailed information and statistics on mines at home and abroad; and the geologist finds a fuller account of the scientific history of coal deposits than is met with elsewhere in any single volume. On a large map of the world the coal regions : of the globe are well exhibited, and details of those of different countries are presented with singular distinctness on the special maps for the purpose. As an example of the thorough plan of the work, we mention the principal topics under the head Great Britain :Area of Great Britain-Population-Money, Weights, Measures-Coal. fields, and their influence on her prosperity-Annual production of Coal-General Shipments from the places of production-Table of amount conveyed to London-Source of the same, from 1832 to 1845average prices-British import and export duties on coals-Effect of the Remission of the British Tariff duties on Coal in 1845-General Exportation-Royalties, Tribute, Rent or Galeage in the English Coalfields-Mining Leases in Newcastle Coalfield-Area, &c. of 51 Coalfields of Great Britain. Then follows a scientific account of different coal regions, commencing with the Culm or Anthracite formation of Devonshire. To these are added tables showing the exportation of Iron and Steel; annual production of iron in Great Britain, European states, America, &c. Morcover a map shows to the eye the positions of all the coal regions. The same extensive plan is adopted for other countries, and carried out in a manner for which no one could be better prepared than Mr. Taylor. 4. Indicis Generum Malacozoorum Primordia, etc., conscripsit A. N. HERRMANNSEN, Dr. med. Cassel, 1846, vol. i, pp. 636, 8vo. Vol. ii, 1847. To be completed in about ten numbers of which eight have appeared, five forming the first volume.-This may be regarded as a companion to the Nomenclator Zoologicus of Agassiz. Like that work, it is an alphabetical list of the genera, &c. in conchology; with etymologies, dates, authorities, and references: but these last are given more fully, and a very extensive synonymy is given under such names as require it. The genera Conus, Oliva, and Cypræa occupy two pages each; Exogyra occupies a page, Helix eight pages, and Ostrea three pages. In general, however, each page contains from five to ten genera. When a citation is made at second hand, an asterisk is added and a later author cited. This, like the Nomenclator zoologicus, is an indispensable work to all who wish to be acquainted with the present condition of the science, and the extent to which aberrant species have been the types of distinct genera by the older authors. It gives, moreover, the extent of the various families according to the views of the principal authors, citing the genera which are supposed to be included. The genera are printed in a heavy face small or lower-case type, and the authority follows in small capitals, without a point between, a plan adopted by Agassiz, Stephens, Curtis, G. R. Gray, Doubleday and others. Amyot and Serville, place no point only when the name is followed by the original authority. If the authority is regarded as a genitive case, the point is improper. The original authority should be in italic, after the manner of Agassiz and the English, who have the credit of systematizing these things. S. S. H. 5. Principles of Zoology, touching the Structure, Development, Distribution and Natural arrangement of the races of Animals, living and extinct, with numerous Illustrations. For the use of Schools and Colleges. Part I, Comparative Physiology; by LOUIS AGASSIZ and AUGUSTUS A. GOULD. 216 pp., 12 mo. Boston, 1848. Gould, Ken dall and Lincoln.-A work emanating from so high a source as the Principles of Zoology, hardly requires commendation to give it currency. The public have become acquainted with the eminent abilities of Prof. Agassiz through his lectures, and are aware of his vast learning, wide reach of mind, and popular mode of illustrating scientific subjects. In the preparation of this work he has had an able coadjutor in Dr. A. A. Gould, a frequent contributor to the Transactions of the Boston Society of Natural History, and at present engaged upon the Department of Conchology for the publications of the late Exploring Expedition. The volume is prepared for the student in zoological science; it is simple and elementary in its style, full in its illustrations, comprehensive in its range, yet well condensed and brought into the narrow compass requisite for the purpose intended. We annex a brief mention of its main topics, deferring a fuller notice to our next number. Chap. I. The Sphere and fundamental Principles of Zoology. III. Functions and Organs of Animal life. IV. Of Intelligence and Instinct. V. Of Motion, (apparatus and modes.) VI. Of Nutrition. VII. Of the Blood and Circulation. VIII. Of Respiration. IX. Of the Secretions. X. Embryology. (Egg and its Development.) XII. Metamorphoses of Animals. XIII. Geographical Distribution of Animals. XIV. Geological Succession of Animals, or their Distribution in Time. 6. Observations on the Temple of Serapis at Pozzuoli near Naples; by CHARLES BABBAGE, 42 pp., 8vo.-This very valuable memoir was read before the Geological Society of London in 1834, but has been withheld from publication by the author, until May of the past year, when it appeared in the Journal of the Geological Society. A full abstract has however been before the public, and the general facts have become a constituent part of most treatises on Geology. The author, after presenting his observations with clearness and philosophical precision, considers next the action of expansion by heat as a cause of change of level and in conclusion dwells upon the effect which an accumulation of material on the bottom of an ocean would have on changing the position of isothermal lines at depths beneath. If the temperature increase 1° for every 60 feet of descent, an addition of 5000 feet of material will raise as much above its former position, the line of a given temperature below. This accession of heat upward is urged as a means of metamorphic changes, and of various effects of igneous action. The volume closes with a supplement containing "Conjectures concerning the Physical condition of the surface of the moon." large craters of the moon's surface are compared to Lagoon Islands, when the water of the ocean is removed. Besides other considerations it is an insurmountable objection to the hypothesis, that the lagoons seldom exceed 35 fathoms in depth, and the majority are still shallower. The Southern maldives, among the largest and deepest in the world, have but 60 fathoms of water in the lagoon. The 7. Elements of Natural Philosophy; being an Experimental Introduction to the Study of the Physical Sciences; by GOLDING BIRD, A.M., M.D., F.R.S., F.L.S., &c. &c. With three hundred and seventy-two illustrations. From the revised and enlarged third London edition. 12mo. pp. 402. Philadelphia: Lea & Blanchard. 1848.-The deservedly popular Elements of Natural Philosophy by Dr. Bird, have passed through three editions in London since their first appearance in 1839; and it is an acceptable service that the enterprising American house have performed in renewing the present edition. We observe in the chapters on Polarization, the following notice of Dr. Faraday's researches on diamagnetism, which we copy for the benefit of our readers: One of the most interesting contributions to science, for which we are indebted to Dr. Faraday, is the discovery of the excitement of a molecular change in certain forms of glass, water, alcohol, oil, and other substances when under the influence of the magnetic and electric forces, sufficient to cause the rotation of a polarized ray. To show this with the magnet a piece of flint-glass, A, or much better, a heavy slip of fused borate of lead 2 inches square and 0-5 inch-thick, is placed between the poles N s of a powerful electro-magnet, so that the line of force may pass through its length. A ray of light BD is polarized in a vertical plane by reflexion from a piece of blackened glass D, and passing through the glass A is examined at D through a Nichol's prism. So long as the bars N and s are not magnetic, the ray is transmitted or extinguished as usual during the revolution of the prism. Let this be turned so that the ray is B IN Ꮓ darkened, and connect the wires c z with the battery, the bar instantly becomes magnetic and the ray becomes visible. It will be necessary to revolve the prism to the right to extinguish the ray which has, under the influence of the developed magnetism, been made to revolve. If the north pole be next the observer, the ray will revolve to the right, but if this position be reversed, it will revolve to the left. When a glass tube is filled with water and placed in the axis of a long helix of wire traversed by a current from a battery of ten pairs of plates, the water assumes a similar rotatory power over a rectilinearly polarized ray, turning it to the right or the left, according to the direction of the current, the ray always revolving in the direction in which the positive current traverses the wire of the helix. When a wide tube of glass is filled with water and the helix traversed by the current immersed in it, the water in the centre of the helix will alone exert any action on a transmitted polarized ray, that lying between the exterior of the coil and the side of the tube having no rotatory power. A piece of borate of lead glass placed in the helix acquires a similar power. Thus by the magnetic and electric forces, Dr. Faraday communicated temporarily to glass the rotatory power naturally possessed by quartz, and to water and other fluids the power proper to syrup and oil of turpentine. SECOND SERIES, Vol. VI, No. 16.—July, 1848. 20 |