REVIEWS. 13 



botany of our coasts. They are issued as part of the M Smithsonian Con- 

 tributions to Knowledge" But before we proceed to speak of the me- 

 moirs themselves, we will take a glance at the noble institution, in con- 

 nection with which they are issued. They form part of the general plan 

 adopted for carrying into effect the intentions of James Smithson, of Eng- 

 land. This gentleman left his property in trust to the United States, H to 

 found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an 

 establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men ;" 

 and these words of the testator were the only guide given for the adoption 

 of a plan to carry out the benevolent intentions of the testator. This trust 

 was accepted by the Government of the United States, and an Act of 

 Congress was passed, August 10th, 1846, constituting the President and 

 the other principal executive officers of the General Government, the 

 Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Mayor of Washington, and such 

 honorary members as they might elect, an establishment under the title of 

 the "Smithsonian Institution for the Increase and Diffusion of Know- 

 ledge among Men." In carrying out this plan two objects had to be stea- 

 dily kept in view — the one, the increase of knowledge — the other, the 

 diffusion of the knowledge thus increased. For these purposes the annual 

 income of the institution has been wisely divided into two equal parts — 

 the one part being devoted to purposes of original research and publication — 

 the other to the gradual formation of a library, a museum, and a gallery of 

 art, in accordance with the terms of the Act of Congress. The memoirs already 

 published by the " Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution" embrace 

 (besides various reports in octavo), five quarto volumes, displaying con- 

 siderable originality of thought and laborious research ; and we are glad to 

 see one from the old country engaging in such honourable rivalry, and 

 taking his stand among his transatlantic brethren ; we are much better 

 pleased to recognize the truly friendly spirit which pervades the report of 

 the Smithsonian institution, when speaking of the acceptance of the present 

 memoirs, and which we cannot forbear from quoting as alike honourable to 

 the body from which it issues, and the talented Professor whose name it 

 refers to. " This memoir (The Nereis Boreali-Americani) consists of 

 a description of the marine plants or Algse, which are found along the eastern 

 and southern coasts of the United States, and which are deserving of atten- 

 tion, not only on account of their beauty, variety, and the illustrations they 

 present of the growth and development of vegetable forms, but also on 

 account of their economical value with reference to agriculture and the 

 chemical arts. This volume is in the course of preparation by Professor 

 Harvey, of the University of Dublin, a gentleman who is recognized as the 



