

Miscellanies. 217 



our intention to give, in the present number, something like an analy- 

 sis of this work ; but, in substituting a meagre paragraph, we only 

 yield to necessity, which has absolutely withheld the leisure requisite 

 for our purpose ; duties which could neither be postponed nor avoid- 

 ed, have entirely forestalled the future, and engrossed the passing 

 hour. We have elsewhere remarked, that Mr. Mantell's various pub- 

 lications on local geology entitle him to rank with Cuvier and Brong- 

 niart, whose grand work on the environs of Paris, led the way in 

 this species of research. Mr. Mantell's late work presents the re- 

 sults of a course of detailed and exact induction, involving an exten- 

 sive and precise knowledge of several collateral sciences, and espe- 

 cially of comparative anatomy, conchology, botany and zoology. 



Mr. Mantel], aided by the talent, taste and zeal of Mrs. Mantel!, 

 has rendered Lewes and its environs more famous for its geological, 

 than it was before for its historical antiquities. Mr. Mantell has re- 

 cently removed his residence to Brighton, upon the sea shore, seven 

 miles from Lewes- 



He has refitted his admirable museum,* and enlarged its accommo- 

 dations, and we trust, that in his arduous professionf he will, at Brigh- 

 ton, meet the rewards to which he is so well entitled from his country- 

 men. Few persons, even in this country, need to be informed that 

 Brighton is, in the summer, a grand focus of the fashion, rank and 

 wealth of England, and moreover, during a part of the year a favor- 

 ite Royal Residence. If Mr. Mantell's museum should bring him, in 

 its present situation, many new calls, we trust they may prove advan- 

 tageous to his well earned fame, and to the interests of his amiable 

 family. 



23. Septaria of extraordinary size and beauty. — These curious 

 combinations of different mineral substances, are usually seen in cabi- 

 nets, only of a few inches in diameter. We owe to the kindness of Mr. 

 Mantell two magnificent specimens of Septaria, (one of them for the 

 cabinet of Yale College.) They are respectively 22 and 24 inches 

 in diameter, forming circular polished tables of exquisite beauty. 

 They are from the Lias, an argillaceous limestone, and their locality 

 was near Lime-Regis on the channel coast of England. Their pre- 

 vailing ground is smoke grey, but they are superbly variegated, by both 

 broad and narrow veins of calcareous spar of a light straw color, 



1 Described in Vol. xxiii. p. 162 of this Journal. t That of a surgton 



Vol. XXVI— No. 1. 28 



