48 Bibliographical Notices. 



than the body ; the fourth joint is much shorter than the third ; 

 the fifth is a Utile shorter than the fourth ; the sixth is full half 

 the length of the fifth ; the seventh is rather longer than the 

 fifth : the eyes are black : the mouth is white with a brown tip : 

 the nectaries are black, and about one-twelfth of the length of 

 the body : the legs are of moderate length ; the thighs are pale 

 green ; the shanks are white ; their tips and the feet are brown. 



BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 



An Elementary Course of Geology, Mineralogy, and Physical Geo- 

 graphy. By D. T. Ansted, M.A., F.R.S. &c. 8vo. London : 

 Van Voorst. 



It is unnecessary at the present day to enlarge upon- the advantages 

 of geological science ; relieved from the prejudices which aifected its 

 early progress, and soaring above the mere attempt to excite our 

 wonder by descriptions of the singular and apparently grotesque 

 forms of animals, which were once the denizens of our planet, it has 

 become a science not only of many valuable truths, but as a means 

 of enlarging our views of those universal laws by which the physical 

 history of the earth has been governed. The certainty of its facts 

 and their practical applications have rendered a knowledge of it 

 essential to all those engaged in the varied pursuits of mining, engi- 

 neering and agriculture. A science intimately connected with our 

 mineral wealth and commercial prosperity, could not fail to be re- 

 cognized and supported by the Government, and the result is the 

 establishment of the Museum of Practical Geology, under the ma- 

 nagement of Sir H. De la Beche and its efficient corps of officers both 

 in the cabinet and the field. Already has this institution yielded the 

 first fruits of its practical utility, and given a greater impetus and in- 

 fused a spirit of inquiry into the general principles of the science, and 

 we do not doubt that when the enlarged views of its able and zealous 

 director are fully developed, geology will become still more popular 

 amongst all classes. Taught as a subject of special instruction in 

 our Universities and Colleges, its importance has not been overlooked 

 in those smaller academies, where the teachers, fully aware of the real 

 principles of education — that of imbuing the mind with a knowledge 

 of facts and their bearing on the practical purposes of life — have, 

 without neglecting the classical studies, judiciously introduced a 

 course of instruction in natural and physical science. Introductory 

 works are therefore requisite, not as simply teaching the facts of 

 geology itself, but as embracing a wider field and yet presenting 

 in a condensed form, its intimate connexion with and dependence 

 upon other branches of knowledge. In this respect the volume 

 before us is extremely useful, nor could we anticipate that Prof. An- 

 sted' s constant practice as a teacher and lecturer would fail to assist 

 him in producing an educational manual serviceable alike for the tra- 

 veller or student, more especially as the general plan of the work, 



