( 199 ) 



NEW PUBLICATIONS. 



1 . Elements of Natural Ilhtori/, adapted to the present State of the 

 Science. By John Stark, F. R. S. E. M. W. S. &c. Two 

 volumes 8vo, with Plates, Edinburgh. 



A good many years ago, we advised our late excellent friend, 

 Mr Charles Stewart, to draw up such a view of the animal king- 

 dom as would interest naturalists, and general readers, and, 

 at the same time, answer as a text book for the Lectures on 

 Zoology delivered in the University. His " Elements of Na- 

 tural History,"" published in 1809, was such a work. During 

 his lifetime, it passed through two large editions, a sufficient 

 proof of its various excellencies. For some years the work has 

 been out of print, although much in demand, and no similar 

 one having appeared in this country, Mr Stark was induced to 

 prepare and publish the present work. It is on the plan of 

 Stewart"'s; but carefully and judiciously brought up to the pre- 

 sent state of the science of zoology. In the Introduction, our 

 author defines the object of natural history, mentions the divi- 

 sion of natural bodies into organic and inorganic, comprehend- 

 ing the three kingdoms of nature, the Animal, Vegetable, and 

 Mineral, and gives a general outhne of the peculiar characteristics 

 of each, together with remarks on life, organization, nutrition, 

 circulation, generation, locomotion, sensation, structure, instincts 

 and habits of animals. Each division of the animal kingdom 

 is introduced with observations on the structure and classifica- 

 tion of the objects referred to it. The genera of all the classes, 

 excepting two, viz. the Insects and Entozoa, are characteris- 

 ed ; several of the species of each genus are more commonly 

 given; and these are, for the most part, accompanied with 

 brief but interesting remarks. In the different classes, the best 

 authorities have been followed, viz. Desmarest, Temminck, Cu- 

 vier, Lamarck, Leach, Latreille, and Rudolphi. Twelve use- 

 ful plates are given, illustrative of the terms used in the de- 

 scription of the different groupes of animals ; and, what is of 

 great importance, each volume is provided with an ample index. 

 The work is professedly, in some degree, a compilation, but is 

 every where well executed ; and there is enough in these two 

 closely printed volumes, containing 1052 pages, to initiate the 



