MONTHLY REVIEW OF LITERATURE. 607 



notice like the present it would be out of the question to enter at length into 

 the merits and demerits of these maps, although we could easily fill several 

 pages with strictures and suggestions. Suffice it to say, that for all general 

 readers enough and more than enough will be found to serve their purpose ; 

 while the scientific student will find in them far more to praise far less to 

 condemn, than in any set of maps of England, except those of the Ordnance. 

 The very low price of this Atlas, consisting of forty-six maps, at nine-pence 

 each, shows the proprietors not to be without enterp'rise. Their efforts deserve 

 patronage, and nothing but a very large sale can repay the outlay. 



The Geological Map of England and Wales (4^ feet by 5), though by the 

 same draughtsmen, is of a very different character. It is considerably scien- 

 tific ; and as respects the geology and mineralogy some important improve- 

 ments have been made on the map of Greenough, though here and there we 

 have found several errors in the colouring of the strata. The canals are marked 

 and their levels are given in feet from Bradshaw and Priestley, and with respect 

 to the rivers, the extent of their navigation is marked. The railroads are laid 

 down not only those actually in construction, but those in contemplation. 

 Here we think is a mistake. Perhaps for a month or two the itch for railroad 

 novelties may be played on, and so a few more copies be sold ; but the Stirling 

 character of the work is sacrificed, and its value as a permanent work of re- 

 ference is lessened. The railroads actually in construction should be most 

 accurately laid down with levels in feet ; but the map should not be disfigured 

 and obnubilated with an interlacing of blue lines that mark nothing beyond a 

 few bubble schemes blown together by a handful of jobbers to gull the 

 ignorant and fill their own pockets. 



On the whole this map is very creditably got up. Perhaps, if room could 

 be found at the corners, a table of extreme gradients on the different railways, 

 length, &c. &c., would be an improvement : but as it is, we have every rea- 

 son to wish well to this undertaking. No inquirer or indeed any one profes- 

 sionally or pecuniarly concerned in canal, railroad or mining speculations, 

 ought to be without this very useful map. 



NATURAL SCIENCE. 



A History of British Quadrupeds. By THOMAS BELL, F. R. S., &c. 



Parts 4, 5. Van Voorst. 



WE are ever ready to hail with pleasure any new literary undertaking which 

 may have for its object the extension of moral and scientific information, and 

 the' training of the mind to the early and practical exercise of improving study, 

 that enables it 



To spring aloft, with elevated pride, 



Above the tangling mesh of low desires 



That move the fluttering crowd. 



But it is matter of especial gratification to us to see men of acknowledged 

 talent and learning direct their serious attention to the popular illustration of 

 a science in which they are admitted to excel. And indeed it demands no 

 small mental attainment to be able to conjoin so usefully the tasteful descrip- 

 tion and engaging style of the accomplished popular writer, with the severer 

 science and learning of the professor. Of this kind is the very excellent work 

 before us a work that cannot be too widely circulated ; for, while it corrects 

 the mischievous prejudices of ignorance, it supplies to education a means of 

 accomplishment that has not hitherto existed. 



The numbers before us contain the history and habits of the weasel, the 

 marten, the cat, the dog, &c. The engravings are well executed, and the 

 vignettes prettily designed. When completed it will form an excellent and 

 useful volume, deserving of a place upon every drawing-room table. We 

 would refer our reader, for an illustration of the value of the work, to part 3, 

 on the mole : " The moles gnaw the roots of plants, for the purpose of ex- 



