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NOTICES AND ANALYSES OF NEW BOOKS AND PAPERS. 



1. Narrative of Discovery and Adventure in the Polar Seas and 

 Regions ; with Illustrations of their Climate, Geology, and Natural 

 History ; and an account of the Whale Fishery. By Professor 

 Leslie, Professor Jameson, and Hugh Murray, Esq. F.R.S.E. 



2. Narrative of Discovery and Adventure in Africa, from the 

 Earliest Ages to the Present Time, with Illustrations of the 

 Geology, Mineralogj^ and Zoology. By Professor Jameson, 

 James Wilson, Esq. F.R.S.E. and Hugh Murray, Esq. F.R.S.E. 



These volumes form the first two numbers of the Edinburgh Cabinet 

 Library, a work which we welcome as a treasure from the house of 

 Oliver and Boyd. The undertaking is extremely hazardous, and the 

 liberal mode in which it is commenced, peculiarly dangerous ; but if 

 we may judge from the support which its publishers have met with, 

 ^nd the creditable way in which their work is ushered before the 

 public, we think that they cannot fail eventually to meet with the due 

 reward. We feel the more interest in the success of this Library, that 

 , it has a certain relationship to our own Journal, in the subjects of 



which it treats ; and, if our recommendation can do it any service, we 

 give it freely and to the full extent. 



The Narrative of the Northern Voyages, in No. 1. is from the pen of 

 Mr Hugh Murray, known for his volumes on the History of Discovery 

 in Africa, in Asia, and in America. Professor Leslie treats of the 

 climate, and this is by far the best part of the book ; and Professor 

 Jameson gives a rather meagre outline of all that is known of 

 the Geognosy of the northern regions. The latter part, however, 



. being the least popular, is perhaps the best spared. The Chapter on 

 Natural History is not worthy of the volume. The account of the 

 Whale Fishery is particularly apropos, since the public attention has 

 been more directly drawn to it by the recent disasters. Fourteen 

 wood-cuts illustrate this Number. 



The second Number consists of 512 beautifully printed pages, and 

 contains numerous engravings on wood, by Branston. Besides an 

 interesting historical narrative, presenting a view of the progress of dis- 

 covery, and of the moral and political state of the African tribes ; it con- 

 tains a long chapter on mineralogy and geology, by Professor Jameson, 

 and three chapters on the natural history of quadrupeds, birds, reptiles, 

 fishes, moUusca, insects, &c. of the African continent, by Mr Wilson. 



Of these volumes we shall only farther say, that at the price of Jive 

 shillings each, we hold them to be the cheapest books ever published 

 in Scotland. 



Illustrations of Zoology, being Representations of new, 

 rare, or otherwise remarkable subjects of the Animal Kingdom. 

 Drawn and Coloured after Nature, with descriptive Letter-Press. 

 By James Wilson, F.R.S.E. M.W.S. &c. No. IX. Imperial 

 Quarto. W. Blackwood, Edinburgh ; T. Cadell, London. 



This Number (which contains Title page. Index, &c.) completes the 

 first volume of Mr Wilson's Illustrations. It consists of coloured 

 VOL. III. I 



