394 Miscellanies. 



elusion of the Plutonic rocks, he gives an account of the mineral 

 wealth of the gneiss, granite, and mica schist, and other rocks of this 

 class ; of their precious gems, and ornamental and architectural stones. 

 There are two chapters on grottoes and caves, with an account of the 

 ancient false ideas and suppositions concerning them, and their physi- 

 cal phenomena. The volume ends with a chapter on the mercury 

 mines of the coal measures and other formations, and the metallur- 

 gic processes by which the metal is reduced from its ores. 



Numerous well executed steel engravings are given, representing 

 in many cases, views and scenery illustrative of his subject, which are 

 not usually seen in works of this class. We believe that there is no 

 one who would not feel himself both interested and instructed by its 

 perusal. 



21. The American Repertory of Arts, Sciences, and Manufac- 

 tures, embracing records of American and other patent inventions — 

 accounts of Manufactures, Arts, S^c. — observations on Natural His- 

 tory and Mechanical Science, Sj-c. 6fc. Edited by J. P. Mapes, Prof, 

 of Chemistry and Natural Philosophy in the National Academy of 

 Design, N. Y. 



The first number of this journal made its appearance in February 

 of the present year, and we are reminded, by the receipt of the con- 

 cluding (sixth) number of the first volume, of our remissness in not 

 sooner recognizing so valuable a contemporary. The prospectus 

 states that it is intended peculiarly for the mechanics of this country, 

 and the leading articles have had a corresponding character. Thus, 

 a series of papers has been published " On the Art of Building," 

 " Manufacture of white lead," " Mechanics' vade mecum^'' being 

 tables of strength, weight, &c., with rules for the practical applica- 

 tion of the same to the daily requisitions of the mechanic. Reports 

 of the Mechanics' Institute are also given regularly, as well as those 

 of several other societies, as the N. Y. Lyceum of Natural History, 

 National Academy of Design, General Society of Tradesmen, &c. 



This journal is so successfully applied to the elucidation of practi- 

 cal science, and its applications to the arts, that it seems peculiarly 

 suited to the character of the American mechanic and practitioner, 

 while the excellence of some of its original articles entitles it to the 

 high consideration of all. These features will, we hope, ensure for 

 the American Repertory an extensive patronage. We shall take 

 pleasure in enriching our pages, as opportunity occurs, with miscella- 

 neous extracts from it. It is published monthly in New York, at $4 

 per annum, and the first volume contains 483 pages. 



