50 Bibliographical Notices. 



other points of agricultural geology ; also an account of the earthy 

 minerals used in construction, their durability, powers of resistance, 

 &c. The important subject of the supply of water from various 

 sources, more especially as connected with that of the metropolis, is 

 fully treated ; and here we find some new and striking observations on 

 the nature and character of the water-bearing strata around London, 

 more especially the chalk, and the probable quantity of that useful 

 element derivable therefrom, as deduced from geological investigation. 

 Associated with this section is the nature of mining operations, and 

 their reference to geological structure, in which the subject of coal- 

 working is concisely treated, as well as some practical remarks on the 

 various operations connected with the mining of iron, salt, and the 

 other valuable mineral riches of this country ; we must however state 

 that this portion of the work would have been rendered much more 

 useful to the student, if the author had introduced a few woodcuts 

 illustrative of some of the principal points connected with the various 

 methods adopted in the working, ventilation and drainage of our 

 mines. 



A useful glossary of scientific terms, a general outline of the geo- 

 logy of India, and a series of examination papers are appended to this 

 volume, which, notwithstanding its brevity on some points, may be 

 safely consulted as an introduction to the science by the general 

 reader, as well as form an elementary manual for the traveller and 

 student. 



An Arctic Voyage to Baffin^ s Bay and Lancaster Sound in search of 

 friends with Sir John Franklin. By Robert A. Goodsir, late 

 President of the Royal Medical Society of Edinburgh. London, 

 Van Voorst, 1850. 



This plain and unaffected narrative will be read with interest, not 

 only by those who share the anxiety arising from the uncertainty 

 hanging over the fate of those of whom Mr. Goodsir went in search, 

 but by others who wish to gain a clear impression of the distinguish- 

 ing features of arctic voyaging. The author sailed in the " Advice " 

 whaler in INIarch 1849 in search of his brother, who accompanied 

 Sir John Franklin. His voyage extended through Davis's Strait 

 round the head of Baffin's Bay, and the vessel was enabled to make 

 an exploration into Lancaster Sound ; with how little success we un- 

 fortunately know. Not discouraged by this, however, the author has 

 started again this spring on the same quest. 



In this little volume, which is founded upon the journal kept 

 during the voyage, we find not merely a record of the routine of a 

 whaling voyage, with a vivid description of the exciting himts and 

 perilous attacks which ensue when the ship arrives at the fishing 

 grounds, but the author gives us his impressions of the various sights 

 and natural phaenomena as they came upon him with the force of 

 novelty ; thus furnishing us with just the kind of information which 

 has especial interest at the present time. The nature of the dangers 

 arising from the concussion of the ice floes, the " nip," the cutting of 



