pursuit and the coincidence of their deaths. Both were men of fortune. Both were designed for a worldly career. Both abandoned more amBoth achieved solid reputation. Both were hard workers as well as clear thinkers; and they enjoyed in common that faculty for organization which is rarer in Englishmen than the faculty of observation. The Geological Society is the monument of Mr. Greenough, as the Museum of Practical Geology is that of Sir Henry De la Beche.

bitious schemes in favor of science.

Mr. Greenough was born in 1778, and consequently was seventy-seven when he died, was eduated at Cambridge and Göttingen, and served in Parliament for the famous, or infamous, borough of Gatton. But he made no great figure in the House of Commons. His genius was a genius for map-making, not for speeches and legislation; and the records of his zeal which remain to tell posterity of his useful labors are 'The Geological map of England and Wales,' the map of Hindustan,' and the General Sketches of the Physical Features of British India.' He was on a journey to the East, in hopes of collecting mate. rials for new maps, when he died at Naples: and it is understood that he has left behind a vast accumulation of materials, some of which will doubtless be available for the press.

Mr. Greenough had a great reputation among men of science, without being very widely known to the British public. He was a worker, not a writer. More than thirty years ago he published his one volume, A Critical Examination of the First Principles of Geology.' Ad. dresses and discourses to scientific societies followed from time to time; but not with that persistence of assault by which literary fame can alone be carried. Yet was Mr. Greenough considered by English geologists as the leader of their band, and he was one of the founders and was the first President of the London Geological Society.-Athen., April 21.

10. A Treatise on the Differential and Integral Calculus, and on the Calculus of Variations; by EDWD. H. COURTENAY, LL.D.--This work, though not published till after the death of its accomplished author, has been written with great care. No work on the Transcendental Analysis has issued from the American press, since the republi cation of Young's Treatises, so full and extended as this. A noticea ble peculiarity of it, among American and English works on Analysis, is the absence of all examples for practice. Every principle is copiously illustrated by examples wrought out at length by the author; but beyond this no examples swell the pages of the work. Students will be much obliged to the author for the simple manner which he exhibits (p. 55,) of finding the successive differential coefficients in the applica tions of Maclaurin's theorem, without the labor usually employed.

The chapters on Maxima and Minima, that on the Integration of Trigonometric and Circular functions, and the one on Singular Solutions, will attract the attention of every reader by their fullness and perspicuity.

A. R.

11. Practical Meteorology; by JOHN DREW, Ph.D., F.R.A.S. 290 pp., 12mo. London, 1855. John Van Voorst.-This small volume was prepared in order to give to those who may be interested in practical meteorology, such information upon the general principles of meteorology in its different departments, and on the nature, choice and use

of instruments, as would be a sufficient guide to the learner as well as a help to the more experienced. Its object therefore is to teach "how to observe" meteorological phenomena. Besides practical and simple theoretical observations, there are good figures of meteorological instru ments on copper-plates through the volume, and also a number of tables, such as, for the Tension of Aqueous Vapor; Comparison of Thermometric Scales; Degree of Humidity from Readings of the Dry and Wet Bulb Thermometer; Measuring Heights with the Barometer; Weight of a cubic foot of air saturated with different degrees of moisture, etc. Dr. Drew is a member of the Council of the British Meteorological Society.

12. Report on the Agriculture and Geology of Mississippi, embracing a sketch of the Social and Natural History of the State; by B. L. C. WAILES, Geologist of Mississippi. 1854.-This handsome octavo volume of 371 pages, with a map and other illustrations, is published by order of the Legislature of the State. The heads are: 1, Histori cal Outline; 2, Land Titles; 3, Agriculture; 4, Geology; 5, Fauna ; 6, Flora, with an Appendix.

The means provided for the publication being inadequate, the author made a partial abridgment and was constrained to omit most of the plates.

Although the work was therefore for some other reasons executed under disadvantages, it does honor to the skill and industry of Col. Wailes who has been long known as an active cultivator and devotee of science. The historical sketch occupies 125 pages, the agricultural 79, the geology 90, and other topics of natural history 60 pages more. If the civil history occupies one-third of the volume it is information of interest to the State. We learn from it that the possession of that fine country was not obtained without severe vicissitudes, and distressing struggles continued through almost two centuries in which the French and Spanish and English nations and powerful tribes of aborigines, and finally the Anglo-Americans were active agents. The por tion on agriculture is instructive, especially in relation to local interests. That on geology contains interesting facts in relation to palæontology, drift, fountains, lignite, &c.

We trust that the legislature of Mississippi having begun so well, will not hesitate to encourage their able and active geologist in extending and perfecting his researches which have thus far redounded to the honor and substantial advantage of the State in its most important material and social interests.

B. S. SR.

13. Natural History of the United States.-The following Prospectus has been issued by Prof. AGASSIZ with reference to a great American work which he has commenced. All lovers of science through the land will rejoice in this prospect of the publication of Prof. Agassiz's researches.-EDS.

Contributions to the Natural History of the United States, in ten vols. quarto; by LOUIS AGASSIZ. To be published by Messrs. Little, Brown and Co. of Boston, Mass.-For more than eight years, I have now been in this country, devoting my attention chiefly to the study of those classes of the Animal Kingdom which American naturalists have, thus far, not fully investigated. The amount of materials I have

already brought together is so great, that the time seems to me to have come when I should proceed with the publication of the more important results of these investigations. Desirous of contributing my share to the rapid progress natural sciences are making at present in this part of the world, I wish to present my work to my fellow-laborers in this field in the form most easily accessible to them. It has therefore appeared to me desirable to bring it out in a series of independent volumes. This plan will, moreover, leave me entirely free to present my contributions to science with such minute details, and to such an extent, as I shall deem necessary to the fullest illustration of my subject.

Without entering into a detailed account of the contents of this work, it may be sufficient here to state, that it will contain the results of my embryological investigations, embracing about sixty monographs, from all the classes of animals, especially selected among those best known as characteristic of this continent; also descriptions of a great number of new genera and species, accompanied with accurate figures, and such anatomical details as may contribute to illustrate their natural affinities and their internal structure.

I shall not extend my publications to classes already illustrated by others, but limit myself to offering such additions to the Natural His tory of the States I have visited as may constitute real contributions to the advancement of our knowledge.

From a careful estimate of the materials I have now on hand, I am satisfied I shall be able to include the most valuable part of my investiga tions in ten quarto volumes; each volume containing about 300 pages, with at least twenty plates. I therefore now open a subscription for such a work, in ten volumes, quarto, in cloth binding, at the price of twelve dollars each volume, payable on delivery. Each volume shall be complete in itself, containing one or several independent monographs; so that if any unforeseen difficulties should interrupt the publication of the whole, the parts already published shall not remain imperfect. As far as possible, I shall always select first such of my pa pers as contain the largest amount of new matter, or may contribute most directly to the advancement of science. Having devoted the greatest part of my time to the investigation of the embryonic growth of our animals, I shall make a beginning with the embryology of our turtles, several of which I have traced through all their changes. I trust this monograph will afford our medical students a fair opportunity of making themselves familiar with the modern results of one branch of physiology, which has the most direct bearing upon their science, and for which the different species of the family of turtles found in every part of the United States will afford them a better opportunity even than the artificial breeding of hens' eggs. Moreover, the extent of my embryological researches, covering as they do, all the classes of the animal kingdom, will furnish, I trust, a new foundation for a better appre ciation of the true affinities, and a more natural classification, of animals. I foresee the possibility, upon this basis, of determining, with considerable precision, the relative rank of all the orders of every class of animals, and of furnishing a more reliable standard of comparison between the extinct types of past geological ages and the animals now living upon earth.

I shall have frequent opportunities of acknowledging the many favors I have received from naturalists of all parts of the country, from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast, and from the shores of our great Lakes to those of the Gulf of Mexico; and also of mentioning the many specimens which have been furnished to me from every part of the Union, and of which I shall publish descriptions.

It is a matter of course, that a work like this, illustrated by a large number of plates, cannot be published without a liberal and extensive patronage. As it has been prepared solely with the view of throwing additional light upon the wonderful diversity of the animal creation of this continent, its structure, and its general relation to that of the other parts of the world, without the slightest hope of compensation for myself, I trust I may meet with the approbation of those conversant with the importance of the subject, and receive sufficient encouragement from the enlightened part of the community to enable me to bring to a successful close an undertaking upon which I enter now, and in this form, for no other purpose than to contribute my share towards increasing the love of nature among us.

As the printing of this work cannot begin until a sufficient guarantee is secured for the publication of the whole, I take the liberty of making an appeal to the lovers of science to send to the publishers their own subscriptions, and such others as they may procure, as soon as convenient, and, if possible, before the first of August next, that I may be able to proceed at once with a work, which, relating to animals peculiar to America, I wish to make, in every respect, an American contribution to science, fostered and supported by the patronage of the community at large.

To render this work more generally accessible, it is intended to publish at the rate of about one volume a year. Such an arrangement will bring the whole within the reach of every student of Natural History, and of every friend of the progress of science in the country. The periods of publication, however, cannot be more definitely fixed, because the required uniformity of execution of the plates, to which particular attention will be paid, will demand that they be all entrusted to the same artist, who has drawn on stone most of the plates of my former works.

14. Report on Crustacea; by JAMES D. DANA.--The Atlas of the Report on the Crustacea collected in the Exploring Expedition around the world under Capt. Wilkes, U. S. N., has just been issued. It contains 96 plates in folio, containing figures and details relating to nearly 700 species, from drawings by the author. The figures are partly col ored as an introductory note states, a large part of the author's original drawings were unfortunately destroyed by a fire in Philadelphia, after the engravings were completed but before any copies had been colored, and on this account the number of colored figures in the Atlas is comparatively small. The engravings are well executed on copper. The Text of the Report, which was issued near three years since consists of two volumes quarto, extending in all to 1620 pages.

15. Recherches sur les Crinoïdes du Terrain Carbonifère de la Belgique; by L. DE KONINCK and H. LE HON, with a notice on the genus Woodocrinus, by L. DE KONINCK, D.M., 218 pp., 4to, with 8 litho

graphic plates. Bruxelles, 1854.--The labors of Prof. de Koninck have largely contributed to our knowledge of the Fauna of the Carboniferous Period. These researches on the Crinoids are carried forward with the same thoroughness and precision as his former labors. The work opens with a catalogue of all the works or memoirs which have been published upon Crinoids, commencing with Agricola, in the 16th century. It continues with historical and critical observations, an account of their structure and the nomenclature of the parts, and then enters upon the descriptions of species.

16. Ueber die Gattungen der Seeigellarven.-Seventh memoir on the Metamorphosis of Echinoderms; by JOH. MULLER. 56 pp., 410, with 9 copper plates. Berlin, 1855.-From the Transactions of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Berlin.-This is a continuation of the author's elaborate and beautiful researches on the Echinoderms. The plates are admirable.

C. LYFLL: Report on the New York Industrial Exhibition, 50 pp. fol. London, 1854.-This Report gives a general review of the geology of this country, and of its economical products, and was written in the main by Mr. James Hall, of Albany. W. HAIDINGER: Ueber den Felsöbanyt.--Der Partschin von Olahpian.-Note über gewundene Bergkrystalle.--Beitrag zur Erklärung Farben der Polarisationsbüschel-Ueber den Pleochroismus und die Krystallstructur des Amethystes--Mittheilung aus einem Schreiben des Herrn Prof. Stokes über das optiche Schachbrettmuster-Dauer des Eindruckes der Polarisationsbüschel auf die Netzhaut.--Die Richtung der Schwingungen des Lichtätiers im polarisirten Lichte.--Einige neuere Ansichten über die Natur der Polarisationbüschel.-Pleochroismus einiger Augite und Amphibole.--Form und Farbe des Weltzienits.-Pleochroismus an einigen zweiaxigen Krystallen in neuerer Zeit beobachtet.--The above important papers are published in the Sitzungsberichte of the Royal Academy at Vienna, for 1854.

GRAILICH and PEKÁREK: Das Sklerometer.--An instrument for measuring the hardness of crystals, 30 pp., with a plate. Vienna Sitzungsb., 1854.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA, vol. vii. --No. 8.-p. 287, note on some animals of the Falkland Islands; F. Bernsée.—p. 290, Analytical table of the species of Hydroporus found in the U. States, with descriptions of new Species; J. L. LeConte.-p. 299, Synopsis of the Lathridiides of the U. States and northern contiguous Territories; J. L. Le Conte.-p. 306, Notes on Birds of New Mexico; T. C. Henry.-p. 317, Analysis of Meteoric Iron of Tuczon ; F. A. Genth. p. 318, On the Viviparous Fishes of the Pacific Coast; G. Girardp. 328, On Tertiary strata of Infusoria and Polythalamia, near Monterey, California: W. P. Blake-p. 331, Characteristics of some new species of N. American Mam malia: S. F. Baird.

PROC. BOST. SOC. NAT. SCI., vol. v.-p. 161, On the Cochituate Water; C. T. Jackson: ibid.; Dr. Bacon and A. A. Hayes.-p. 165, Fossilized Eggs from the Guano Islands of Peru; A. A. Hayes-p. 169, On the Cochituate Water; A. A. Hayes: ibid.; C. T. Jackson.-p. 180, On the Flight of the American Passenger Pigeon, at Madison, Indiana; P. H. Greenleaf-p. 182, On Impressions of footprints, etc, in the red shale under the Coal measures of Pennsylvania; H. D. Rogers.-p. 188. On Fossil Rain-drops. p. 189, Allanite at Manchester, N. H.; C. T. Jackson-p. 189, On lignite of Virginia, and N. Carolina New Red Sandstone; W. B. Rogers-p. 191, On the chemical characters of the water which enters the sea below Boston; A. A. Hayes.

PROC. NATIONAL INSTITUTE, WASHINGTON, Vol. I, No. 1.-p. 2, Life in its Physical aspects; C. Girard.—p. 23, Processes and results of Arithmetical Calculations of the Elements of the orbit of the Mcon and of the principal Lunar Equations; S. E. Coues.-p. 42, Determination of altitudes with the barometer; L. Blodget.