6i,4 , Catalogue of Worh on Natural History, 



Art. IV. Catalogue of Works on Natural Ilistori/, lately published, 

 ivith some Notice of those considered the most interesting to British 

 Naturalists. 



The Gardens and Menagerie of the Zoological Society delineated ; being 

 Descriptions and Figures in illustration of the Natural History of the 

 Living Animals in the Society's Collection. The Drawings by William 

 Harvey; engraved by Branston and Wright, assisted by other artists. 

 Published with the Sanction of the Council, under the Superintendence 

 of the Secretary and Vice- Secretary of the Society. 8vo. London, 

 1830. Vol. L Quadrupeds. 



The quarter whence this work emanates is quite a sufficient sanction for 

 the excellence of the scientific portion of its contents ; and when we add 

 that the plates are designed by Harvey, that most of them were engraved by 

 Branston and Wright, and that the work is printed at the Chiswick press, 

 nothing need be said of the superior style in which it is got up. The editor 

 (IMr. E. T. Bennett) offers his acknowledgments in his preface to Mr. 

 Vigors, " for his general revision of the work, and for numerous valuable 

 suggestions. To Mr. Broderip he is also indebted for the communication 

 of much interesting information ; as well as to Dr. Wallich, Mr. Yarrell, 

 and other valued friends who have kindly assisted him in his task." Mr. 

 Bennett also thanks Mr. Harvey, " for the patient attention with which he 

 watched the manners of the animals " he has delineated ; and Messrs. 

 Branston and Wright, " for the pains they also have taken to make them- 

 selves masters of the subject previously to the execution of the cuts." 

 We wish to point out these circumstances particularly to the attention of 

 our readers ; as we think that nothing can more decidedly mark the great 

 progress which is now making in every branch of education, than to find 

 artists taking a scientific interest in the subjects v/hich they are employed 

 to illustrate. The days of mere mechanical labour are, indeed, rapidly 

 passing away, and the higher qualities of the mind are now constantly 

 called into action. 



Some of the anecdotes of animals in the volume before us (particularly 

 those of the beaver called "Binny") are very entertaining; and the 

 descriptions of the Chincella and Ratel are very interesting on account of 

 the rarity of these animals. Altogether, the work forms an extremely 

 beautiful and instructive volume, and we have no doubt of its becoming 

 a popular favourite. — J. W. L, 



Supplement to English Botany. Nos. VI. — XIV. London. 8vo. 3*. each 

 Number. 



The English Botany of the late Sir J. E. Smith and Mr. Sowerby is a 

 work which not only does honour to its authors in their respective depart- 

 ments, but to the nation which gave them encouragement to prosecute to 

 the completion so extensive an undertaking. The decline of science in 

 Great Britain has become all at once a theme of lamentation ; and we now, 

 for the first time, have begun to discover that presidents and secretaries of 

 scientific institutions ought to be provided for by the people. We are not 

 among those who shall give any opposition to so salutary and convenient a 

 doctrine. Nevertheless we cannot shut our eyes to some advantages 

 which belong to the system of leaving even science to find its own level, 

 without adventitious assistance. No other country can boast of a national 

 Flora, in which every indigenous plant, known to the botanists of the time, 

 has been figured and described. Many splendid fragments have been pub- 

 lished by the fostering care of princes and patrons, but nowhere else has 

 a work of this nature, combining ornament with utility, and a sufficient 



