Norih American Books* TS 



Johnston, George, M.D. &c.: A Flora of Berwick upon Tweed. 8vo, 340 

 pages with plates. Volume the Second, containing the Cryptogamous 

 Plants. Edinburgh, Carfrae and Son; London, Longman and Co. 1831. 

 7s. 6d. 



In Vol. IL p. 234. the first volume of this work is reviewed, and we 

 purpose to submit this second volume to the same reviewer. In the in- 

 terim, we hesitate not to pronounce it an able production, characterised by 

 a high and admirable degree of originality, and presenting facts and views 

 of much interest to universal botany. — J. D. 



Hack, Maria: Geological Sketches, and Glimpses of the Ancient Earth. 

 12mo, 400 pages and several plates. London, Harvey and Darton, 1832. 

 Bound in cloth, 9*. 



An amusing and instructive volume, and an eligible present to youth. 

 Its scope and calibre will best appear in the authoress's own words : — " A 

 traveller passing through a picturesque country may add to his enjoyment 

 by delineating the cottage, the rock, or the tree, which happens to please 

 his fancy, without venturing to portray an entire landscape ; and thus, 

 while reading the works of eminent geological writers, amused by ingenious 

 theories, and interested by their application to well authenticated facts, I 

 have sought to perpetuate my own pleasure, and also to contribute some- 

 thing towards the entertainment of others, by attempting a series of 

 sketches, which, without pretending to the completeness of a system, may 

 afford some glimpses of the structure of the earth. . . . This little volume 

 is not designed exclusively for young persons, but for all to whom the sub- 

 ject is new, and who have not inclination or opportunity for studying it 

 scientifically. The references will show that the works of those who are 

 considered the best authorities have furnished the materials. As to the 

 mode of arranging them, the adoption of colloquial intercourse seems to 

 afford the greatest freedom and variety of illustration." 



North America. 



Transactio72s of the Literary and Historical Society ofQjuehec, founded Jan. 6. 

 1824. Vol. L 8vo, pp. 833. Quebec, 1829. 



This institution owes its origin to the Earl of Dalhousie, late governor- 

 general of Canada ; and although its title does not seem to have been very 

 happily chosen, since only one of the papers communicated to the Society 

 is on a literary or historical subject, it has called forth the contributions of 

 another class, the readers and students of the great book of nature, which 

 is opened in this country at one of its most curious and ample pages. 

 These Transactions are almost entirely on geological and botanical subjects, 

 with a good paper " On the recent Shells which characterise Quebec and 

 its environs." We owe to our Canadian friends a debt of gratitude for 

 their zeal in the cause of science, and have no doubt that their labours 

 will be duly appreciated and acknowledged by those in the parent country 

 who are pursuing kindred subjects. We regret that our limits do not per- 

 mit us to analyse the several papers, and that we are prevented from giving 

 extracts from the curious one, entitled, " A Journey across the Continent, 

 by an Indian Chief." The volume, however, is to be found in most of our 

 scientific libraries, to which it has been transmitted by the liberality of the 

 Quebec Society. - 



A Monthly Journal of Geology and Natural Science was commenced at 

 Philadelphia, in July last, conducted by G. W. Featherstonehaugh, Esq. 

 F.G.S. &c. 

 Most heartily do we wish prosperity to this transatlantic contemporary. 



