FOREIGN CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 213 



some Chelonian and Saurian Reptiles, — as the Turtle and Crocodile, the 

 heart consists of two auricles ; one, destined for the reception of the venous or 

 carbonized blood from the system ; the other, of the arterial or decarbonized fluid 

 from the lungs, — hence respectively corresponding to the pulmonary, and aortic or 

 systemic, auricles of the higher animals : and of two ventricles^ so disposed as to 

 constitute, in fact, but one cavity ; from the pulmonary portion of which, all the 

 arterial trunks of the organ emanate. The Batraciens, F. exhibit only a single 

 auricle and ventricle; presiding, however, over a double circulation. One auricle 

 and one ventricle exist, also, in Fishes ; they execute merely a branchial circula- 

 tion ; which corresponds with the pulmonary, of the preceding classes. Thus far, 

 as regards the great order of circulation in the Vertebrated animals." 



FOREIGN CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 



Congrh scientifiques de France — Premiere session tenue a Caen en Juillet, 



1833. 



Our readers have already been made acquainted with the learned 

 meetings held annually in Germany, and on the plan of which our own 

 British Association has been modelled. In France, too, a meeting of 

 this kind took place last year, of which the book whose title we have 

 quoted above gives an account. 



Although it would be unreasonable to expect complete success in a 

 first attempt of this nature, and to judge of future excellency by an 

 imperfect commencement, yet we may, without hesitation, predict that 

 these Gallic meetings will widely depart in their character from those of 

 Germany and England, at which we ought not to be surprised when we 

 consider the diversity of our national character. 



That which immediately arrests attention is the appellation of Congress, 

 with which they have denominated these meetings, as if they intended to 

 oppose these peaceable and scientific meetings to the political and diplo- 

 matic rendezvous, which so greatly influence the weal or woe of nations. 

 Already this learned Congress appears desirous of not remaining without 

 influence on the social welfare of nations. It is by such features that 

 the French meetings will be conspicuously distinguished from those of 

 Germany and Britain, where learned societies are not permitted to 

 overstep the modest boundaries assigned to scientific pursuits, and to 

 extend themselves into the territories of active life. A learned meeting 

 which should direct its views to social ameliorations would justly incur 

 general censure for so widely departing from its purposes, whilst the 

 most influential among the learned and scientific would not delay in 

 withdrawing their countenance from it. But it is otherwise in France — 

 both the Government and all classes of the people do not deem it incon- 

 sistent, that on every occasion some attention at least should be paid to 

 public transactions, some effort be made to discover abuses, and ameliorate 

 whatever exists. Accordingly, it is not much to be wondered, that at 

 this Congress so many proposals, suggestions, and wishes should have 

 been advanced in learned essays, of which we should never dream. 



Monsieur Caumont, of Caen, who devotes much of his time to Natural 

 History and Antiquities, and is accordingly a member both of the 

 Linnaean and Antiquarian Societies^^ that city, together with some 

 scientific gentlemen of the provinces, first established this Congress in 

 July, 1833, having invited thereto the learned and scientific of 

 France and foreign countries. Above a hundred persons met, among 



