SIO Scientific Intelligence, — New Publications. 



ancient geometry be disposed to treat it with greater courtesy. 

 At same time, we have here some admirable specimens of the ap- 

 plication of the doctrine of parallels to the most useful of pur- 

 poses. At page 33, the translator pays a high compliment to 

 the French nation, on account of their skill in ship-building ; 

 and that they are well entitled to such encomiums we are not 

 disposed to dispute. However, we beg to differ from him, in 

 ascribing their success to the application of the mathematical 

 sciences to the determination of the best form of a ship ; because 

 all, the little all, that is known of the best form, is merely de- 

 rived from experience. An age probably will elapse, before the 

 mathematical sciences can be applied with any certainty to this 

 subject ; for the laws of the resistance of water on a large scale 

 are as yet only matter of speculation. The Dutch form differs 

 exceedingly from the French ; and yet competent judges admits 

 that it is not on that account inferior in practical utility.* But 

 notwithstanding these criticisms, we do not hesitate strongly to 

 recommend this work, especially to such as are desirous of ac- 

 quiring the practical use of mathematics whilst studying the 

 elements of that science. 



% Mr AuduhorH s great Worli on the Birds of the United States 

 of America. — M. Audubon devoted 22 years of his life to the 

 study of the Natural History of the Birds of North America. 

 During the greater part of that long period, he lived principally, 

 and nearly alone, in the woods and wilds of the New World, draw- 

 ing, describing, dissecting, and studying the appearances, habits 

 and manners of the feathered creation. The result of this al- 

 most unparalleled labour, has been a connected series of obser- 

 vations equally striking and novel, and a collection of drawings 

 admirable in execution, and absolutely marvellous in their repre- 

 sentation of the living and intellectual attributes of the species. 



* The current century has afforded some notable instances of the abuse of 

 mathematical science ; and in no case, perhaps, has the failure been more com- 

 plete than in that of patent mathematical ploughs, scarcely one-half of which 

 were ever used, but were consigned to neglect, and to be broken up for other 

 purposes, like so many condemned wrecks. All the mathematical theories in 

 the world are of no use in determining the best form of that part of a plough 

 which works under ground ; and we have no reason to expect that it will ever 

 be otherwise. Like everything else, mathematics are valuable, highly valua- 

 ble, only in their own place. 



