296 Travels of a Naturalist in the Alps. 
The relation of the different numbers of these two kinds of publi- 
cations, peculiarly characterizes our epoch, in which, besides the 
ruling spirit of association, there exists a strong disposition, to render 
public, ideas as soon as they are conceived. The ilotism of philoso- 
phers has ceased along with the publication of voluminous works, 
which formerly appeared from time to time, as rareties, and were 
the labors of an entire life. If formerly they produced sometimes 
perfect works, isolated authors did not enjoy as now, the advantage 
of obtaining information by discussion, during the composition of their 
works. Occupied thus by themselves, they were more apt to be 
misled than at present, where each chapter of a treatise is dissected 
beforehand in the periodical journals. 
In comparing the number of works of 1833 with those of 1830, 
1831 and 1832, we find the ratio to be expressed by the following 
figures: 300, 450, 500 and 900. 
Art. XVIIl.—Notice of the “ Travels of a Naturalist in the Alps;” 
Read before the Society of Naturalists at Soleure, by their Presi- 
dent, Fr. Jos. Huei. (Naturhistorische Alpenreise. Vorgelesen 
der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft in Solothurn von irhrem Vors- 
teher, Fr. Jos. Hue1, Lehrer.) By C, U. Sueparp. 
AurHoveH it is more than four years since this volume made its 
appearance, its contents are so valuable and entertaining as to merit 
being made known to such American readers as feel an interest in 
Geology and Meteorology. It deserves the more attention also, as 
we have, even in New England, a sub Alpine range still unexplored, 
and of whose geological character we know little else, than that a few 
of its elevations consist chiefly of granite, gneiss and mica slate ;* 
whilst its meteorological phenomena have been wholly neglected. 
The travels of Hugi were chiefly in that portion of the Helvetian 
Alps, known as the Bernese Alps, extending along the north of the 
Rhone, from the lake of Geneva to the valley of Unterwallden. He 
also made excursions through the neighboring parts of the Pennine 
Alps, and thence over St. Gothard tothe valley of Uri; he likewise vis- 
ited the Rigi and Mount Pilate. 
* In Vol. XVIII. p. 291 of this Journal, I pointed ont the existence of a bree- 
ciated rock, consisting of fragments of argillite as existing high up the sides of 
the Kearsage peak at Fryeburg, Me., which serves to render doubtful the supposed 
homogeneous character of these mountains. 
