204 Miscellanies. 
DOMESTIC. 
1. Fossil Shells of the Tertiary Formations of North America, 
illustrated by figures drawn on stone, from nature; by T. A. Con- 
RAD, Philad. 1832.—A work of this kind has long been a desidera- 
tum to geologists, and we have-now the pleasure to announce the 
publication* of the first number, with six plates illustrative of twenty . 
three species of American tertiary fossils. The style and spirit in 
which this work is commenced give great promise of future useful- 
ness : the plates are lithographed by the best artists, and the figures 
are drawn with such clearness and elegance, as will enable even the 
learner to detect their character with facility. 
“The beauty, variety, and peculiar character of our Tertiary Fos- 
sils,” says the author, “ are such as to recommend them to the mere 
Conehologist 5 ; but when viewed in connexion with Geological phe- 
nomena, they will prove, in consequence of their vast extent and 
continuous beds, even more se siphin than the most celebrated cou- 
temporaneous deposits in Europe.” 
The three great divisions of the Tertiary class, viz. the upper ma- 
rine, London clay and plastic clay formations are all now positiv 
identified in this country by their organic remains, of which Mr. 
Conrad is already in possession of about two hundred and fifty na 
cies. Of these, the upper marine beds furnish a large pro) 
the London clay, (or, as Mr. Conrad terms it, the middle sans 
also affords a’ profusion of fossils, although hitherto but very partially 
explored on this continent. The plastic clay, on the comtary, is as 
= characterized by few and imperfect species. 
’ Mr. Conrad’s Introduction gives us a brief but clear view de al 
these formations,—their mineralogical and organic characters, and 
geographical distribution, accompanied by various novel details which 
cannot fail to attract attention wherever geology is appreciated. It 
is designed to figure all the species of Tertiary shells ; and the pres- 
ent number contains six species of Arca, two of Pectunculus, eight 
of Fusus, three of Buccinum, a Murex, a Cypricardia, a Cardita, and 
an Artemis. 
The value of Mr. Conrad’s work is much enhanced by the fact, 
that it is the result of personal observations made during ae 
tours through the formations he describes ; and he has announ 
* By Mr. J. Seton, Chesnut Street, pritedetpniee 
