288 Notices respecting New Books. 
and which might be devoured by the myriads of water-fow] ob- 
served there, and voided with their dung ; but, in that case, they 
should undoubtedly be found mixed with the exuviz of those 
animals, which is not that fact, but they are found accompanied 
solely by vegetable substances, in one of which they are actually 
contained, If they are from the sea, there seems no limit to the 
quantity that may be carried to land by a continued and violent 
wind ; no limit to the period during which they may have accu- 
mulated, since they would remain from year to year, undimi- 
nished by the processes of thawing and evaporation,which remove 
the snow with which they are mixed. I regret that the scanti- 
ness of our information does not enable us to come to any satis- 
factory conclusion, and can only hope that future navigators may 
have an opportunity of collecting materials to elucidate so curi- 
ous a phenomenon.” so5==4 
The American Journal of Science, more especially Mineralogy, 
Geology, and the other Branches of Natural History, including 
Agriculture and the ornamental as well as ‘useful Arts. 
Conducted by Benjamin Silliman, M.D. Professor of Che- 
mistry, Mineralogy, &c. in Yale College. 
We have received the first and second Number of this new 
Journal, which is to be published quarterly, and, judging by the 
contents of these two, promises to be serviceable to the cause 
- of science, not only in making us acquainted with the geology, mi- 
neralogy, and general natural history of the western hemisphere, 
but by furnishing early notices of all new discoveries in the dif- 
ferent branches of physics, made in that quarter of the world. 
We have given several extracts in our present Number. 
A Letter to the Farmers and Graziers of Great Britain, to ex- 
plain the Advantages of using Salt in the various Branches of 
Agriculture, and in feeding all Kinds of Farming Stock. 
By Samugr Parkgs, F.L.S. M. R.I. F.S.A. E. &c. &e. 
This little pamphlet of 98 pages cannot be too strongly re- 
commended to the attention of those to whom the author ad- 
dresses himself. It contains a preliminary advertisement of six 
pages; the Letter occupies twenty ; and the remaining pages are 
filled with extracts from ancient and modern writers on the em- 
ployment of salt in agriculture, in promoting the health of horses, 
cattle, sheep, bees, &c.; and from the minutes of evidence be- 
fore, and the Report of, the Select Committee of the House of 
Commons, on the use ae salt and on the salt-duties, &c. ; with. 
directions for enabling farmers to procure this best of all articles 
for the improvement of their land and live-stock at the reduced 
price, &c. &c.—We are sorry that our present press of matter 
prevents our now laying Mr. Parkes’s Letter before our readers. 
Just 
