266 AMEUJCAN ZOOLOCV, 



North America. Tliis work appeared in 1825, and it contains descrip- 

 tions of one hundred and forty-seven species. The author has exercised 

 inuch ingenuity and industry in gathering the scattered notices and de- 

 scriptions of his coteraporaries, arranging them in systematic order and 

 adding his own discoveries, which are numerous and valuable. Previ- 

 ous to the appearance of this volume, little attention had been paid by our 

 naturalists to the only and firm basis on which the genera of Mammalia 

 can be constructed. Various attempts had, indeed, been made, but hith- 

 erto without vigorously examining the dental formula. 



The most valuable work that has as yet appeared, is Dr. Godman's 

 American Natural History, which was published in 1826. It consists 

 of three large 8vo volumes, and gives figures of all the animals described. 

 It is a monument of genius and industry. For eloquence of style, fidel- 

 ity of description, fullness of detail, and general interest, it is not ex- 

 ceeded by BufTon's writings. It professes to embrace all the mammal- 

 ians of our country, known at the time it was written, and it may \vell 

 be regarded as an ornament to our scientific literature. Dr. Godman 

 was a remarkable man ; though but a young man, he had distinguished 

 liimself in his profession as a writer and teacher, and his Natural Histo- 

 ry, and Rambles of a naturalist, as well as other writings on Fossil Ge- 

 ology, display a versatility of genius, which would have elevated him to 

 the very pinnacle of scientific fame, had his valuable life been spared. 

 He fell a victim to his incessant labors, and died as the good man dieth, 

 expressing the fullest confidence of Salvation through tlie merits of a 

 crucified Redeemer. 



The great work on our mammalians is now in the course of publi- 

 cation. That will be the magnum ojnts ; truly, another proud monu- 

 ment of American genius, energy and labor. I allude to the magnificent 

 production of Audubon and Bachman, both known the world over as 

 most accomplished naturalists, and splendid writers. None of the letter 

 press of the work has yet appeared but more than 30 plates with colored 

 figures have greeted the eager eyes of the American public — and such 

 plates, and such figures ! Each plate is about 28 by 16 inches. The 

 (h-awingp, of course, are made by the inimitable pencil of Audubon, 

 and the engravings executed by the most skillful artists. The animals 

 liave every thing but life, and as nearly all those which have been as 

 yet published, are the size of life, you seem to be gazing on stutied spe- 

 cimens rather than on paper and paint. The letter press will appear af- 

 ter all the plates are published, and the cost of the whole work wdl be 

 $300. Our mammals will then be done in tliis most elegant produc- 

 tion, as the bird^ of our country liave already been in that most magui- 



