scientific Revietvs. 191 



the Jaguar, the American BiSon, the Nyl-ghau, the Beaver, the 

 Slow-paced Lemur, the American Tapir, and the White-cheeked 

 Marten, are among the more interesting species of the succeeding 

 numbers. 



In a scientific point of view, this work will be valuable chiefly on 

 account of the figures. But, with reference to the descriptions. We 

 cannot but remark the great superiority which even our popular zoo- 

 logical works of the present age possess over the gravest and most 

 elaborate productions of our grandfathers. It is obvious, nevertheless, 

 to the most superficial observer, that, in this most interesting science, 

 the greatest uncertainty and confusion are prevalent ; and notwith- 

 standing all that has been achieved by the Cuviers, and St. Hilaires, 

 and Lamarcks of our times, there is need of some mighty genius, 

 who may gird his loins to the task of clearing our schools of the 

 lumber which they contain, and, establishing more comprehensive 

 principles, and laying down stricter rules for classification and de- 

 scription, become the founder of a new sect, which in its time will 

 be thrust aside. Before the structure and habits of half the quad- 

 rupeds of the globe are half so well known as those of man, many 

 ages will pass ; and even of man himself, the knowledge which we 

 at present possess, will probably be little esteemed by the philoso- 

 phers of some future generation. 



Voyage dans les Steps, Sfc. Travels in the Steps of Astrakhan 

 ana the Caucasus, with the Primitive History of the People who 

 have anciently inhabited these Countries. By Count Jean 

 PoTOCKi. With Notes and Tables by M, Klapboth. 2 Vols. 

 Paris, 1829. 



We are indebted to Klaproth for bringing the two interesting 

 works before us from almost total neglect. One of them had never 

 been printed, and, except by occasional mention, we were wholly 

 unacquainted with the researches contained in the other. The 

 Count Potocki made the history of man his more immediate and 

 particular study, and the power given to him by elaborate research, 

 has been concentrated on the races of Northern Russia. The work, 

 in other respects, bears some resemblance to the travels of Pallas. 

 Occasional historical disquisitions, interspersed with remarks on 

 the physical aspect of the country, — observations in natural histo- 

 ry, — and the trivial occurrences of a journey, but every where cha- 

 racterized by apposite remarks on the customs and origin of the 

 hordes of men who inhabit these steps, and who are daily incorpo- 

 rating themselves with the pastoral tribes of the more northerly 

 provinces, — the example of a change from the nomadic to an agri- 

 cultural life, is indeed most frequently given by the leaders or 

 princes themselves. 



The course of the Wolga, with no cataracts and of considerable 



