392 Miscellanies. 



the writer, and give a pledge of future equally successful labors in 

 the same field. On the whole, we believe this to be decidedly 

 among the best treatises upon this subject that have ever been cir- 

 culated in the United States, and we are of the opinion that even a 

 slight examination of it, will be sufficient to commend it to the favor 

 of every cultivator and lover of Mineralogy. — Communicated. T. 



12. Transactions of the JVatural History Society of Hartford, 

 Conn. No. 1, Vol. I. Hartford, Connecticut, 1836. — This is the 

 first scientific publication of this recently organized body. Sixty 

 four pages are occupied by an address from the Rev. Dr. Jarvis, of 

 Washington College, President of the Society, on the rise and pro- 

 gress of Natural History. This sketch is graphic, lucid and as com- 

 prehensive as the limited space would allow ; occasionally it is elo- 

 quent, and his appeal to his fellow citizens on behalf of the Society, 

 is peculiarly appropriate and cogent. He gives also a short outline 

 of the progress of Natural Science in this country ; as full, perhaps, 

 as an impartial review of living men would allow. The remainder of 

 the number is occupied by an entomological article, entitled, Char- 

 acteristics of some previously described JVorth American Coleopte- 

 rous Insects, and descriptions of others which appear to be new in 

 the collection of Mr. Abraham Halsey : by T. W. Harris, M. D., 

 Librarian of Harvard University. Communicated Dec. 23, 1835. 



This number is very creditable to the society, and we sincerely 

 hope they will meet with every encouragement necessary to the suc- 

 cessful prosecution of the object of their organization. 



13. Meteors at Hingham. 



Hingham, Mass., (near Boston,) March 12, 1837. 



To Professor Silliman. — Dear Sir — Having observed in the 

 last number of the " American Journal of Science," he. several ac- 

 counts of the meteoric shower on the morning of 13th Nov. 1836, 

 and deeming it a service to science to record every circumstance, 

 which may serve to advance its interest, I forward to you my own 

 experience. 



Rising at an early hour, my attention was attracted to the subject, 

 by the flight of a very large luminous meteor, which passed towards 

 the west. This occurred at half past four. It seemed to be very 

 low and greatly resembled a sky rocket, leaving behind a train of 

 sparks, such as usually accompanies these artificial pyrotechnics. 



