392 | Miscellanies. 
Such is the unassuming title of a little volume, which has come to 
hand just as we are closing the present number. ‘The readers of this 
Journal, and those who know the progress of American geology, are 
well aware of the important services Prof. Hitchcock has rendered 
to this branch of science, through a period of many years, both by his 
laborious explorations and his written works. We are happy also to 
add, that his transatlantic reputation is such, that no American name is 
considered of better authority in geology, or more highly esteemed. 
In the present instance he has attempted to prepare a work which 
shall filla vacancy long felt by the instructors of geology in this 
country, a work which, while it gives a good view of the progress of 
the science in other countries, draws its illustrations mainly from 
American facts. From the rapid glance which we have been able to 
bestow on this performance, we should think that Prof. Hitchcock had 
succeeded in imparting this feature to his book. 
We subjoin an extract from the preface, which will give the au- 
thor’s own views in the composition of the volume, better than they 
can be expressed in other words. He says: “In preparing this work 
three objects have been kept principally in view: 1, to prepare a 
text book for my classes in Geology; 2, to bring fdpether the mate- 
rials for a synopsis of geology, to be appended to my final report on 
the Geology of Massachusetts, now in press ; and 3d was, to present 
to the public a condensed view of the state of geological facts, theo- 
ries and hypotheses, especially to those who have not leisure to study 
very extended works on this subject. In its execution the work dif- 
fers from any with which I am acquainted, in the following particu- 
Jars: 1. It is arranged in the form of distinct propositions or princi- 
ples, with definitions and proofs; and the inferences follow those 
principles on which they are mainly dependent. This method was 
adopted, as it has long been in most sciences, for the convenience of 
teaching ; but it also enables one to condense the matter very much. 
2. An attempt has been made to present the whole subject in its pro- 
per proportion; viz. its facts, theories and hypotheses, with their his- 
torical and religious relations, and a sketch of the geology of all the 
countries of the globe, which have been explored. All geological 
works with which I am acquainted, either omit some of these sub- 
jects or dwell very disproportionately upon some of them. 3. It is 
made more American than republications from European writers, by 
introducing a greater amount of our geology. 4. It contains copious 
references to writers, where the different points here briefly discussed 
may be foun id amply treated.” 
2 of execution in the work is not equal to its value, partic- 
of the wood so (which are very numerous,) but these 
y some 
are minor Ss 
