Miscellanies. 1 93 



tressed and dishonored the two countries, the Gallic Society will 

 doubtless strive, by every honorable means, to eclipse its British 

 predecessor. 



While to both institutions we cordially wish all success, we should 

 be happy to contribute to it by any effort however humble. 



23. Baron Ferussac's new work on Shells. — We have before us 

 a communication from M. le Baron de Ferussac, informing us that 

 he has recommenced the publication of his great work " Histoire 

 Naturelle Mollusques terrestres et fluviatiles." 



There are now about thirty Nos. of this magnificent and highly 

 scientific work issued from the press. In beauty of execution and 

 faithfulness to nature, it is not surpassed by any work heretofore pub- 

 lished in this, or perhaps in any other branch of natural science. 

 The figures are exact representations of the most perfect and best 

 characterized specimens which the splendid cabinet of the author as 

 well as the other cabinets of Paris affords. The increasing labor 

 and constant researches of the learned author guarantee to the stu- 

 dent of natural history, the advancement of this branch of science 

 to a state of perfection at which few others have arrived. 



The Baron is also occupied with various monographs consisting of 

 other classes and orders which he proposes to publish in succession. 

 The whole of these works will be published under the common title 

 " Histoire- Naturelle generale et particuliere de Mollusques, tant vi- 

 vans que fossiles." 



We are informed by the Baron that the subscription is reopened, 

 and we sincerely hope that our public libraries as well as individuals 

 interested in the promotion of this branch of natural science, will take 

 advantage of it. We observe M. de Behr, foreign bookseller. New 

 York, is authorized to receive subscribers ; the price being thirty 

 francs per No. for the folio copy colored, and fifteen francs for the 

 4to. plain. 



The great advantage of monographs of this description must be 

 evident even to the mere tyro — those who study nature thoroughly 

 cannot do without them. There are, at least, two copies of this 

 great work in Philadelphia, one of which, a fine colored copy of the 

 largest kind, is in the rich library of the American Philosophical So- 

 ciety. Should the Baron live to see the whole of this great under- 

 taking complete, he will have the satisfaction of handing down to pos- 

 terity, a greater mass of knowledge on the subjects of which he treatSj 



Vol. XXIV.— No. 1. 25 



