393 Miscellanies. 



Such is the unassuming title of a little volume, which has come to 

 hand just as we are closing the present number. The readers of this 

 Journal, and those who know the progress of American geology, are 

 well aware of the important services Prof. Hitchcock has rendered 

 to this branch of science, through a period of many years, both by his 

 laborious explorations and his written works. We are happy also to 

 add, that his transatlantic reputation is such, that no American name is 

 considered of better authority in geology, or more highly esteemed. 



In the present instance he has attempted to prepare a w^ork which 

 shall fill a vacancy long felt by the instructors of geology in this 

 country, a work which, while it gives a good view of the progress of 

 the science in other countries, draws its illustrations mainly from 

 American facts. From the rapid glance which we have been able to 

 bestow on this performance, we should think that Prof. Hitchcock had 

 succeeded in imparting this feature to his book. 



"We subjoin an extract from the preface, which will give the au- 

 thor's own views in the composition of the volume, better than they 

 can be expressed in other woi'ds. He says : "In preparing this work 

 three objects have been kept principally in view : 1, to prepare a 

 text book for my classes in Geology ; 2, to bring together the mate- 

 rials for a synopsis of geology, to be appended to my final report on 

 the Geology of Massachusetts, now in press ; and 3d was, to present 

 to the public a condensed view of the state of geological facts, theo- 

 ries and hypotheses, especially to those who have not leisure to study 

 very extended works on this subject. In its execution the work dif- 

 fers from any with which I am acquainted, in the following particu- 

 lars : 1. It is arranged in the form of distinct propositions or princi- 

 ples, with definitions and proofs ; and the inferences follow those 

 principles on which they are mainly dependent. This method was 

 adopted, as it has long been in most sciences, for the convenience of 

 teaching ; but it also enables one to condense the matter very much. 

 2. An attempt has been made to present the whole subject in its pro- 

 per proportion ; viz. its facts, theories and hypotheses, with their his- 

 torical and religious relations, and a sketch of the geology of all the 

 countries of the globe, which have been explored. All geological 

 works with which I am acquainted, either omit some of these sub- 

 jects or dwell very disproportionately upon some of them. 3. It is 

 made more American than republications from European writers, by 

 introducing a greater amount of our geology. 4. It contains copious 

 references to writers, where the different points here briefly discussed 

 may be found amply treated." 



The style of execution in the work is not equal to its value, partic- 

 ularly some of the wood cuts, (which are very numerous,) but these 

 are minor considerations. 



