144 Proceedings of Philosophical Societies. (Fes. 
and the Monuments of the Indigenous Inhabitants of America, and 
the other the Geographical and Physical Charts. Tom.i. Paris, 
F. Schvell, 1814.—This first part of the historical relation of a 
journey, unique in its kind, as it equally interests the naturalist, the 
philosopher, the historian, the antiquary, the geographer, the astro- 
nomer, was expected with so much the more impatience, as it was 
known to have been ready for some time, and retarded only by cir- 
cumstances unconnected with the work as well as with the author. 
The introduction puts us in mind of the object which M. de 
Humboldt had in his travels, and collects in a single view the col- 
Jections and observations which he has made, the care which he 
took to transport them, the obstacles which he encountered, and 
the names of the different parts which compose the whole collec- 
tion. 
The first book contains his departure from Spain, his abode at 
the Canaries, his excursion to the Peak of Teneriffe, the singular 
observation of sun-rise at a height of more than 1800 fathoms, the 
duration of which was 8’ 1”, instead of 2’ 41’; the deseription 
of the crater, and the magnificent view enjoyed from the summit 
of the mountain. The traveller discusses the different means em- 
ployed before him to determine the height of the Peak, gives the 
history of the eruptions of the voleano, examines its products, 
which he compares with those of the most celebrated volcanoes 
which he has visited. He gives an historical account of the 
Guanches, and examines the remains of their language. 
In his voyage from the Canaries to the coast of South America, 
after some observations on the trade winds, he describes the ad- 
vantages and inconveniences of different routs which may be taken 
in crossing the Atlantic. He continually rectifies the estimate of 
the Pilots by astronomical means, and he announced to them the 
iand from which they thought themselves distant two or three days’ 
navigation. Land appears; the captain takes it for Trinidad, ob- 
servations pointed out Tobago. The captain is forced to confess 
his error. After these facts, which would prove, if it were neces- 
sary, the importance of the astronomical methods, we find obser- 
vations, both numerous and interesting, on the temperature of the 
air and that of the sea; on the colour of the sky and of the ocean; 
on the inclination of the magnetic needle and the intensity of the 
magnetic forces; on the purity and electricity of the air. 
The second book begins with a description of Cumana and its 
environs. The frequent earthquakes to which this coast is subject 
occasions very interesting remarks on these terrible phenomena. 
The fifth chapter, the last in the volume, is devoted to the salt 
springs of Araya, to the coast of pearls, and to the ruins of the 
castle of St. Jago. ‘ 
The part of the Atlas which is joined to this volume consists of 
five plates, very well executed, which represent the inferior limit 
of perpetual snow at different latitudes; the course of the ocean 
and the province of Varinas; the course of the Rio Meta and the 
