8. An Introduction to the study of Meteorology; by DAVID P. THOMSON, M.D. 8vo. Blackwood & Sons, London.-We are informed by a letter dated Wrenbury, Nantwich, March 3, 1848, that Dr. Thomson's Treatise on Meteorology is in press and will soon appear. 9. Naturwissenschaftliche Abhandlungen, gesammelt und durch Subscription herausgegeben, von WILHELM HAIDINGER. Erster Band. Subscriptionsjahr vom 1 Juli, 1846, bis 1 Juli, 1847. Pr. 15 fl. C. M. 475 pp., 4to, with 22 plates. Wien (Vienna), Aug., 1847.-This volume of scientific memoirs is published by subscription, the list being headed by his majesty the Emperor of Austria. It is prepared under the able direction of W. Haidinger, well known by his various mineralogical publications, and his English translation of Mohs's Treatise on Mineralogy. It contains the following memoirs. W. HAIDINGer. On the Pleochroism of Amethyst: p. 1. F. W. Rossi. New Species of Arachnida in the K. K. museum. P. 11. FR. R. v. HAUER. On fossil Cephalopoda from Bleiberg in Carinthia: p. 21. S. REISSEK. On Endophytes of the cells of plants: p. 31. H. ST. LOBARZEWSKI. New species of Leafy Musci from the Carpathians: p. 47. W. HAIDINGer. On pseudomorphs imitative of stone-salt: p. 65. W. HAIDINGER. On Aspasiolite, as pseudomorphic of Cordierite, with remarks on Metamorphism: p. 79. G. GÖTH. On a Hailstorm in Steiermark. p. 93; with remarks on the same, by W. Haidinger: p. 96. W. HAIDINGER. On Hauerite: p. 101. A. PATERA. Chemical examination of Hauerite: p. 107. FR. R. V. HAUER. On the Caprina Partschii: p. 109. V. STREFFLEUR. Phenomena of Ebb and Flow, under the influence of the Rotation: p. 115. W. HAIDINGER. On the varying colors of faces of Crystals: p. 143. B. KNER. On the Cephalaspis Lloydii and C. Lewisii of Agassiz: p. 159. K. PRÜFER. On the Crystalline form of Lazulite :* p. 169. J. PETZVAL. On the linear Integration of Differential equations: p. 177. p. 257. FR. R. v. HAUER. New Cephalopoda from the Sea of Marmora : K. E. HAMMERSCHMIDT. p. 279. J. v. PETTKO. p. 289. p. Description of a Species of Oxyuris : Geological sketch of the District of Kremnitz : A. v. MORLOT. On Dolomite and its relation in origin to Calc spar : 305. F. SIMONY. Meteorological Observations: p. 317. A. LÖWE. On the Arsenical Nickel of Schladming and Prackendorf: p. 343. * The author shows that the form is oblique rhombic, and gives fine figures and many measurments. FR. R. v. HAUER. On the Fossils of Korod in Siebenbürgen: p. 349. J. BARRANDE. On the Brachiopoda of the Silurian Rocks of Bohemia: p. 357-475; with nine crowded quarto plates. 10. Berichte über die Mittheilungen von Freunden der Naturwissenschaften in Wien. This Bulletin is from the "Friends of Science" in Vienna, and is published under the direction of M. W. Haidinger. A second volume was issued in 1847, including proceedings from Nov., 1846 to June, 1847. L. C. BECK: Botany of the United States, new ed. 1 vol. 12 mo. New York, 1848. J. LIEBIG: Researches on the chemistry of Food, and the motion of the Juices in the Aniinal Body. Amer. ed. New York, 1848. 50 cts. E. G. SQUIER and E. H. DAVIS: Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley, comprising the results of extensive original surveys and explorations; 4to, with numerous elegant illustrations. In the press, New York. Published by the Smithsonian Institution. H. E. STRICKLAND & A. G. MELVILLE: The Natural History and Osteology of the Dodo solitaria, and other extinct birds of the islands Rodriguez, Mauritius, and Bourbon. In course of Preparation. MENKE AND PFEIFFER: Zeitschrift für Malakozoologie, iv. Jahrg. 1847. (12 Nummern) gr. 8. 1 Thlr. 15 sgr. E. F. GLOCKER: Generum et specierum mineralium secundum ordines naturales digestorum Synopsis. 8 maj. cart. Halle. 2 Thlr. 10 sgr. J. FOURNET: Metamorphose der Gesteine, nachgeweisen in den westlichen Alpen; 1 taf., gr. 8. Freiberg. Thlr. : C. F. 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Paris, 1848. OUVRAGES SUR LE BRESIL. SPIX AND VON MARTIUS: Reise in Brasilien, in den Jahren 1817-1820, with an atlas of 40 plates of views, and 8 charts, besides two sheets of music. 3 vols., 1388 pp., and an additional volume on Geography, 40 pp.; 1823-1831. Edition Velin Imperial in fol., 285 frs.; in 4to, 216 frs. Martius: Die Physiognomie des Pflanzenreiches in Brasilien. 1824. 2frs. Die Thiere und Pflanzen des tropischen America. 1837. 9 frs. : Von dem Rechtstande unter den Urein wohnern Brasiliens. 1832, 4to, with an ethnographic chart. 7 frs. PARTIE ZOOLOGIQUE.-J. Wagler and J. B. de Spix: Serpentum brasiliensium species novæ, &c., in small folio, new edition of plates, 1838-1840. 108frs. Avium species novæ, &c.; 2 vols. in small folio; i, pp. 90, 104 col. plates; ii, pp. 85, 118 plates; 568 frs. J. B. de Spix: Species novæ Lacertarum; in small folio, 26 pp. and 28 colored plates. 76 frs. J. B. de Spiz: Species novæ Testudinum et Ranarum, &c., folio, 53 pp., with 39 colored plates. 98 frs. J. B. de Spix, L. Agassiz and C. F. P. de Martius: Selecta genera et species Piscium, &c., in small folio, 138 pp., 96 colored plates. 1827. 249 frs. Spix, Wagner, Schrank and von Martius: Testacea, &c., in small folio, 36 pp., 29 colored plates. 1827. 54 frs. Perty and von Martius: Delectus Animalium articulatorum, &c., in small folio, pp. 224, 40 colored plates. 1830-1834. 164 frs. PARTIE BOTANIQUE-Von Martius: Nova genera et species plantarum, &c., 3 vols. in small folio, with 300 colored plates. 798 frs. Von Martius: Icones Plantarum Cryptogamicarum, 1 vol. in small folio, 138 pp. and 76 colored plates. 1827-1834. 249 frs. - Specimen Materia Medicæ Brasiliensis. Specimen I. Emetica ; in 4to, with 9 plates. 1824. Pr. 7 frs. Unger and Mohl: Palmarum genera et species, &c. 1823-1845. 220 plates. 1164 frs. Von Martius: Flora Brasiliensis, sive enumeratio plantarum, &c. Fasciculi i-ix, 281 frs. Systema Materia Medicæ Vegetabilis brasiliensis, 1843. 8vo. 4 frs. PROC. ACAD. NAT. SCI. PHILAD., iv, No. 2; Ap. 11, 1848. p. 36. Habits of some African Reptilia; T. S. Savage.-Ap. 25. p. 40. Generation of the Virginian Opossum; J. Bachman.-p. 47. A new genus and species of Fossil Ruminantoid Pachydermata (Merycoilodon Culbertsonii), with a plate; J. Leidy. PROC. AMER PHIL. Soc., PHILAD, Vol. No. 40-April 7, 1848, p. 51. A letter on Neptune; Prof. Peirce.-p. 16. On projection of a star during occultation upon the disk of the moon; S. S. Haldeman.-April 21, p. 20. Excess of male births diminished by cholera; Dr. Emerson.-p. 20. Ephemeris of Neptune; S. C. Walker. MEM. OF THE Soc. GEOL. DE FRANCE, 2d Ser., Tome II.-First and second parts. On the cretaceous formation southwest, north, and northwest of the central plateau of France (with 3 folded plates of views and sections; D'Archiac.-Geological position of the Macigno deposits in Italy and southern France; L. Pilla.— Observations on the Etrurian formation (with I plate); L. Pilla.-Geology of the vicinity of Bayonne; S. P. Pratt.-Fossils from the Nummuline beds of Bayonne (with 5 plates); D'Archiac.-On the geological constitution of the Sancerrois, or northern part of the department of Cher (with 2 plates); V. Raulin.-Age of the freshwater formation of the eastern part of the basin of the Gironde (with 1 folded plate of sections); J. Delbos.-On the fossils of Tourtia (with 13 plates); D'Archiac. ANN. DES SCI. NAT. Paris. OCTOBER, 1847. Arvicola nivalis; C. Martins.Fossil mammalia of Southern France; P. Gervais.-Fossil mammalia of Montpelier; P. Gervais and Marcel de Serres.—Organization of the Genus Galeodes, a type among the Arachnida; E. Blanchard-Connection between the pigment of the hair and of the iris and the faculty of hearing in certain animals; Dr. Sichel.— On the Brachiopoda; A. d'Orbigny.-On the Gutta Percha and the plant yielding it; 193.-Eight species of Allium, mostly Algerian; J. Gay.-New plants from Bolivia; J. Reney.-Cellulose, is it the basis of all vegetable membranes; H. Mohl.NOVEMBER, 1847. On the Brachiopoda (continued); A. d'Orbigny.--Organization of the Vermes (continued); E. Blanchard-On Cellulose (continued); H. Mohl.— On the origin of adventitious buds; A. Trécul.-On the pith of ligneous plants; A. Guillard. ARCHIV FÜR NATURGESCHICHTE, Berlin, THIRD HEFT, 1847. On the Naiads, &c.; F. H. Troschel.-On insect larves; W. F. Erichson.-Review of publications on mammalia and birds for the year 1846.-FIRST HEFT, 1848. On the process of subdivision in the egg of snails; F. Müller.-Natural history of the " Blasenwürmer" (Cysticercus tenuicollis, etc.); R. Leuckart.-Two new species of Helminthes; R. Leuckart.-On peculiar air canals in the Velella and Porpita; A. Krohn.-New Annelida; E. Grube.-Orchestia Euchorus and Gryphus, new species from the Baltic; F. Muller. On the mode of increase in the Chlorogonium euchlorum, Ehr.; J. F. Weisse. On the species of Ctenomys; A. Wagner.-Letter on an original figure of the Didus ineptus of Roland Savery, in the Gemälde-Gallerie in the Belvidere at Vienna; L. J. Fitzinger.--On the Buds of Upper California; by W. Gambel, with remarks by J. Cabanis. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND ARTS. [SECOND SERIES.] ART. XII.-On the Indian Archipelago. THE first and most general consideration, in a physical review of the Archipelago, is its relation to the continent of Asia. In the platform, on which the largest and most important lands are distributed, we see a great root which the stupendous mass of Asia has sent forth from its southeastern side, and which, spreading far to the south beneath the waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and there expanding and shooting up by its plutonic and volcanic energy, has covered them, and marked its track with innumerable islands. That there is a real and not merely a fanciful connexion between the Archipelago and Asia is demonstrable, although, when we endeavor to trace its history, we are soon lost in the region of speculation. So obvious is this connexion that it has been a constant source of excitement to the imagination, which, in the traditions of the natives and in the hypotheses of Europeans, has sought its origin in an earlier geographical unity. Certainly, if, in the progress of the elevatory and depressing movements which the region is probably undergoing even now, the land were raised but a little, we should see shallow seas dried up, the mountain ranges of Sumatra, Borneo, and Java become continental like those of the Peninsula, and great rivers flowing not only in the Straits of Malacca, whose current early navigators mistook for that of an inland stream, but through the wide valley of the China Sea, and by the deep and narrow Strait of Sunda into the Indian Ocean. Thus the unity would become geographical, which is now only geological. That the great * From the Journal of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern Asia, for July, 1847. SECOND SERIES, Vol. VI, No. 17.--Sept., 1848. 21 platform from which only mountains and hills rose above the sea level, till the materials drawn from them by the rains were rolled out into the present alluvial plains, is really an extension of the Asiatic mass, appears evident from the facts, amongst many others which require a separate geological paper for their discussion, and would be less readily appreciated by the general reader, -that its direction, as a whole, is that which a continuation of southeastern Asia, under the same plutonic action which produced it, would possess; the mountain ranges which form the latter sink into it irregularly in the lines of the longitudinal axes; -in one zone, that of the Peninsula, the connexion is an actual geographical one;-the Peninsula is obviously continued in the dense clusters of islands and rocks, stretching on the parallel of its elevation and of the strike of its sedimentary rocks, from Singapore to Banka, and almost touches Sumatra, the mountain ranges of which are, notwithstanding, parallel to it;-Borneo and Celebes appear to represent the broader or eastern branch of the Indo-Chinese Peninsula, from which they are separated by the area of the China Sea, supposed to be sinking; and finally, nearly the whole Archipelago is surrounded by a great volcanic curve rooted in Asia itself, and the continuity of which demonstrates that the platform and the continental projection with which it is geographically connected are really united, at this day, into one geological region by a still vigorous power of plutonic expansiveness, no longer, to appearance, forming hypogene elevations, but expending itself chiefly in the numerous volcanic vents along the borders where it sinks into the depths of the ocean. Whether the present platform ever rose above the level of the sea and surrounded the now insular eminences with vast undulating plains of vegetation, instead of a level expanse of water, we shall not here seek to decide, although we think that Raffles and others who have followed in his steps too hastily connected the supposed subsidence with the existing geological configuration of the region, and neglected the all-important evidence of the comparative distribution of the living flora and fauna, which seems to prove that the ancient southern continent, if such there was, had subsided before they came into existence. No conclusive reasons have yet been adduced why we would consider the islands of the Archipelago as the summits of a partially submerged, instead of a partially emerged, continent. But whether it was the sinking of the continent that deluged all the southern lowlands of Asia, leaving only the mountain summits visible, or its elevation that was arrested by the exhaustion of the plutonic energy, or the conversion of its upheaving into an ejecting action, on the opening of fractures along the outskirts of the region, before the feebler action there had brought the sea bed into contact with the atmosphere, the result has been to form an |