Transactions of the Geological Society of France. 283 
Arr. XVII.—Notice of the Transactions of the Geological Soci- 
ety of France, for 1833, by M. Bourg, 8vo. p. 506. By C. U. 
SHEPARD. 
Tis very recent society, although organized for the promotion 
of geological science, already holds the first rank, for the number 
and activity of its members. We propose to give some account of 
the plan of its report for 1833, selecting such abstracts as appear 
most likely to interest American readers. 
The report does not confine itself exclusively to geology, but in- 
cludes notices relative to the Natural Sciences generally, Mathemat- 
ics, Medicine and Statistics—so far as they have any connexion with 
the object of the association. It begins with an enumeration of the 
new societies and new publications for 1833. , 
NEW SOCIETIES AND PUBLICATIONS. 
The Natural History Society of Paris, has undergone a transfor- 
‘mation of some importance, and now bears the name of the Société 
des Sciences Naturelles. Its present plan is peculiarly adapted to a 
system of lectures and scientific conferences. Its lectures, given by 
the most distinguished naturalists at every hour of the day, are public 
and gratuitous for all students resorting to the capital for instruction. 
It has a section for physics and chemistry ; another for zoology and 
anatomy ; a third for geology and physical geography, and a fourth 
for anthropology. 
A scientific congress, similar to the British association, although 
much more limited, consisting of but two hundred members, held its 
first meeting at Caen, under the presidency of M. Guizor. It con- 
sists of the following sections ; viz. general history, physical and ag- 
ricultural sciences, medical sciences, history, literature and political 
economy. ‘Their transactions form one volume 8vo. entitled Con- 
gres Scientifiques de France, Rouen, 1833. The meeting for 1884, 
was to be held at Poitiers.* 
* The condition of the public libraries of Paris, is a subject of complaint. The 
Royal library is said to be deficient in every thing recent. That of the Institute, 
is not well arranged, or regulated for easy consultation, besides which the place 
is uncomfortable to visitors in winter, and many of the foreign journals are incom- 
plete. The library of the School of Mines, contains a valuable collection of books 
and particularly those journals which are important to the geologist, a part of 
which, it is to be regretted, are deficient in some of their numbers. The library 
of the Garden of Piants, is said, on the whole, to present the greatest facilities for 
