ll COSMOS. 



aim is an inner one, arising from exalted mental activity. Mode of 

 treatment with regard to the object and presentation ; reciprocal con- 

 nection existing between thought and speech p. 36. 



The notes to pp. 6-12. Comparative hypsometrical data of the eleva- 

 tions of the Dhawalagiri, Jawahir, Chimborazo, Etna, (according to the 

 measurement of Sir John Herschel), the Swiss Alps, &c. p. 6. Rarity 

 of palms and ferns in the Himalaya mountains p. 8. European vege- 

 table forms in the Indian mountains p. 8. Northern and southern 

 limits of perpetual snow on the Himalaya; influence of the elevated 

 plateau of Thibet pp. 9-12. Fishes of an earlier world p. 26. 



Limits and Method of Exposition of the Physical Description of the 

 Universe pp. 37-61. 



Subjects embraced by the study of the Cosmos or of physical cosmo- 

 graphy. Separation of other kindred studies pp. 37-44. The urano- 

 logical portion of the Cosmos is more simple than the telluric ; the 

 impossibility of ascertaining the diversity of matter simplifies the study 

 of the mechanism of the heavens. Origin of the word Cosmos, its 

 signification of adornment and order of the universe. The existing 

 cannot be absolutely separated in our contemplation of nature from the 

 future. History of the world and description of the world pp. 44-56. 

 Attempts to embrace the multiplicity of the phenomena of the Cosmos 

 in the unity of thought and under the form of a purely rational combi- 

 nation. Natural philosophy which preceded all exact observation in 

 antiquity is a natural, but not unfreqnently ill-directed, effort of reason. 

 Two forms of abstraction rule the whole mass of knowledge, viz.. the 

 quantitative, relative determinations according to mimber and magni- 

 tude, and qualitative, material characters. Means of submitting pheno- 

 mena to calculation. Atoms, mechanical methods of construction. 

 Figurative representations; mythical conception of imponderable mat- 

 ters, and the peculiar vital forces in every organism. That which is 

 attained by observation and experiment (calling forth phenomena) leads 

 by analogy and induction to a knowledge of empirical laws; their 

 gradual simplification and generalisation. Arrangement of the facts 

 discovered in accordance with leading ideas. The treasure of empirical 

 contemplation collected through ages, is in no danger of experiencing 

 any hostile agency from philosophy pp. 56-61. 



[In the notes appended to pp. 48-53, are considerations of the general 

 and comparative geography ^of Varenius. Philological investigation 

 into the meaning of the wordfe Koa^og and mundus.'] 



Delineation of Nature. General Review of Natural Phenomena 



pp. 62-369. 



Introduction pp. 62-67. A descriptive delineation of the world 

 embraces the whole universe (TO irav) in the celestial and terrestrial 

 spheres. Form and course of the representation. It begins with the 

 depths of space, of which we know little beyond the existence of 

 laws of gravitation, and with the region of the remotest nebulous spots 



