Natural Fistory in Foreign Countries. 4.29 
to these movements, and constantly kept themselves aloof.’ (Foreign Quar- 
terly Review, No.ix. p. 354.) 
AFRICA, 
South African Institution. Aug. 31. 1829. — The following papers were 
read ; — 
1. Remarks on the Advantages of having a Botanic Garden near Cape 
Town; by Mr. Bowie. The author, in this communication, pointed out the 
occurrence of frequent failures and much uncertainty in the transport of 
living plants to Europe, whether transmitted from the interior of this colony 
or from countries to the eastward of it, in consequence of there being no 
such repository here to afford them a temporary resting-place, when cir- 
cumstances might be unfavourable to their farther progress. He then 
noticed the existence of peculiarities in certain classes of Cape plants, which 
rendered such an establishment particularly to be desired in regard to them ; 
and having illustrated the general advantages of thus collecting and arrang- 
ing plants, to afford the means of elucidating their character and affinities, 
he concluded by remarking the benefits likely to arise from such investi- 
gations to science, commerce, and domestic economy. 
2. Sketches of the Botany of the Cape District, No. 1.; by Mr. Bowie: 
containing a catalogue of the indigenous plants which may be expected to 
flower in the month of September ; with remarks on their peculiarities, 
uses, &c. 
3. Observations on the Origin and History of the Bushmen; by Dr. 
Smith. In this paper, the writer adduced reasons for believing that bush- 
men existed even long before Europeans visited South Africa, and that they 
had possibly been coeval with the Hottentots themselves. He mentioned 
that communities or families, of a character similar to what we understand 
by the term “ Bushmen,” inhabit all the barren wastes of Great Namaqua- 
land, and conduct themselves, towards the Hottentots and Damaras in their 
vicinity, exactly as those immediately in advance of our frontier do towards 
the colonists. It was then stated that the majority of them are decidedly 
of the genuine Hottentot race; and, after some very interesting details in 
regard to their mental character, external physiology, and modes of living, 
hunting, conducting their depredations, &c., the paper concluded with “ an 
earnest recommendation to such members as may have been in the habit of 
observing our savage tribes, to embody their remarks for occasions like the 
present,” as tending to personal and general benefit. The reading of four 
other papers was, from want of time, deferred till next monthly meeting. 
(South African Advertiser, Sept. 5. 1830.) 
NORTH AMERICA. 
Extensive Coal Fields. — We are informed by a very intelligent American 
gentleman, recently arrived from the United States, that it is confidently 
believed that beds of coal of various qualities extend from the central parts 
of Pennsylvania westward for four hundred miles, and to a great distance 
north and south. At present the flourishing manufactures of glass, iron, 
&c., at Pittsburgh, are supplied from mines in the neighbourhood, which 
appear exhaustless. To this great repository of coal the United States must 
look forward for their future prosperity and comfort as a manufacturing 
nation ; for the immense forests that once covered the eastern states have 
almost disappeared. The nearest considerable extent of woodland to Phi- 
ladelphia is 120 miles distant from that capital. The citizens of the United 
States are now much on the alert in quest of their hitherto neglected 
mineral treasures, and a taste for the cultivation of geology is becoming 
BEES 
