NOTICES OF THE PRESS. 



From the " Evening Bulletin," April llth, 1859. 



" THIS work, of which two parts, or 104 pages, are before us, is a vast simile ; 

 not unlike that of the tree Ygdrasil, by which the Norsemen typified all creation. 

 Mr. Coultas is an accomplished botanist ; the, author of ' Organic Life in Animals 

 and Plants,' and other works, and a very earnest thinker. In the present instance 

 he makes a curious, and indeed valuable application of the phenomena of organic 

 conditions and development in a tree to those of society. In the first number we 

 have the nature and manner of growth of a tree set forth very distinctly ; so much 

 so that, as a mere chapter in natural philosophy, it could not fail to deeply interest 

 any intelligent reader. This accomplished, an application is made of the organic 

 peculiarities to the growth and forms of that higher organism, society. This is 

 done with great ingenuity, and in a manner displaying a highly philosophic and 

 philanthropic mind. Mr. Coultas is a man of liberal principles, warm heart, and 

 a friend to social progress, as based on the laws of Nature and Health. It is hardly 

 possible to say more in favor of a writer in the present century, when science, 

 reality, earnestness, and genial strength are beginning to take the. place of idle 

 metaphysics, romantic aspiration, morbid melancholy, and weakness. 



" The work abounds in reflections, in passages so true, so large-minded and so 

 comprehensive, that we should be sorry indeed not to have read them. His views 

 on labor are truly noble. He recognizes that advancing society casts off the idler, 

 requires more and more the producer, and renders the latter more productive. In 

 short, the whole book will evidently be a marked contribution to American litera- 

 ture. We commend it as one deserving the attention of those who read good and 

 useful books." 



From the "American Journal of Pharmacy," July, 1859. 



' ' We are indebted to the author for sending us, some time ago, parts first and 

 second of this work, and we have just now received part third. The former were 

 read with considerable interest, and as soon as opportunity offers, we hope to de- 

 rive pleasure and instruction from following the author through Chapter vii, in 

 which he brings forward some new views in regard to the development of leaves, 

 and Chapter viii, a sketch of the geological records of primaeval botany. Mr. 

 Coultas certainly has the true enthusiasm of a student of nature, and after setting 

 forth the numerous beauties, harmonies and adaptabilities of vegetable life as ex- 

 hibited in the tree, he uses them in illustration of his views of political and social 

 economy aiming to benefit as well as interest his readers. We hope the author 

 will receive substantial encouragement to continue his work to completion." 



From the " Sunday Dispatch," October 17th, 1858. 



"Mr. Coultas is a Botanist who sees in Nature's works' something more than 

 twigs, leaves, and flowers. He deduces therefrom the most useful lessons, and 

 has the happy enthusiasm which enables him to illustrate his ideas with clearness 

 and interest. This treatise upon the Tree contains very useful information, which 

 is set forth with so much ability, and treated in such an agreeable style, that no 

 one can fail to appreciate and be instructed. It only requires genius to invest the 

 driest subject with interest, and in botanical affairs Mr. Coultas is an undoubted 

 genius." 



From the " Pennsylvanian Inquirer," October 9th, 1858. 



"In the multitude of publications which are issued from the press, so valuable 

 a work as this is liable to be overlooked. We have read this first part with a 

 satisfaction bordering upon admiration for its author, who has learned to take 

 Nature by the hand as a parent, a tutor, and guide. No person can read the work 

 without becoming a wiser and better man ; and the author may be assured that 

 he has not mastered the secret of labor in vain. His work is destined to survive 

 him, though we trust he may live long to supply the world with his original 



