NOTICES OF THE PEESS. 



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 'Or- 

 ganic 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 intelli- 

 gent 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 melan- 

 choly, 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 ren- 

 ders the latter more productive. In short, the whole book will evidently be 

 a marked contribution to American literature. We commend it as one de- 

 serving 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 derive 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 enthusi- 

 asm of a student of nature, and after setting forth the numerous beauties, 

 harmonies and adaptabilities of vegetable life as exhibited in the tree, he 

 uses them in illustration of his views of political and social economy aim- 

 ing to benefit as well as interest his readers. We hope the author will 

 receive substantial encouragement to continue his work to completion. It 

 is issued, for convenience, in a serial form, at twenty-five cents the num- 

 ber of 48 pages. For sale by John Alexander, 52 South Fourth Street, 

 Philadelphia." 



