180 Miscellanies. 



Although it is intended to elucidate the Molluscoua^ animals, of 

 all North America, yet it is proposed to introduce those of the Uni- 

 ted States chiefly, into the first part of the work, so that those sub- 

 scribers who may wish to limit their inquiries or expenditures to the 

 shells of this union may be accommodated. 



We have no doubt the able author will redeem his pledges, if sus- 

 tained by an adequate subscription on the part of the public, and we 

 sincerely hope that a scientific work, so likely to prove creditable to 

 the country, will not be suffered to languish or die, for want of the 

 required assistance. 



We regret that Mr. Say has not thought it better to publish the 

 species of each genus together. When the work shall be finished, it 

 will not present any systematic order, unless the whole be taken to 

 pieces and rearranged. For the sake of making the rarer and more 

 doubtful species known, we should have preferred that those should 

 have been described in the early numbers, and such species as Oliva 

 literata, Paludina decisa, he. well known, and in most of our cabi- 

 nets, left until towards the conclusion of the work. The plates are 

 executed with great accuracy, and we must not withhold our praise 

 from the fair artist who has so happily delineated the illustrations. 

 Were we disposed to censure any part of the work, it would fall on 

 the compositor and pressman, who might be a little more careful, and 

 free the work from inaccuracies and blemishes, which are not credit- 

 able to the present state of the American press. 



3. Prof. Grisconi's address to the Newark Mechanics Associa- 

 tion. — This discourse, delivered in January, 1831, is replete with 

 sound sense, with exact and valuable knowledge, and with the most 

 important moral and practical views. It is lucid and attractive, 

 and must have given much satisfaction to the very respectable asso- 

 ciation to which it was delivered. That association, situated in a 

 flourishing and beautiful town, appears from the report, appended to 

 the published discourse, to be in a prosperous and efiicient condition, 

 and, we trust, will prove eminently beneficial to the members of the 

 institution, and to the spread of useful knov/ledge in our country. 



4. Gen. Cassis address before the Alumni of Hamilton CoIlegCy 

 Avgv st, \8QQ. — A chaste, eloquent and beautiful production, rich 

 in valuable thoughts and facts, and in sound views of classical 

 learning. Gen. Cass is a fine example of the union of literature, 

 with active habits both in the field and in civil life. 



