Miscellanies.. 187 



the undertaking of which, it is well known that he was encouraged by 

 the late Baron Cuvier, an individual who well knew into what channels 

 to direct the attention of his friends and pupils. 



The author remarks in the preface of his first volume, " In no depart- 

 ment of American Zoology is there so much confusion as in Herpetology. 

 This is to be traced partly to the earlier naturalists, partly to the practice 

 of describing from specimens preserved in alcohol, or from prepared skins. 

 I have endeavored to avoid error in this respect, by describing, in every 

 instance from the living animal, and often after a comparison of many 

 individuals." 



The first volume contains an extremely lucid essay on the organization 

 of Reptiles, and descriptions of the following species : Testudo Polyphe- 

 mus, Emys hieroglyphica, E. megaccpliala, E. Ti'oostii, E. Muhlenbergii, 

 Ameiva sez-lineata, Anolius Carolinensis, Scincus lateralis, BufoAmeri- 

 canus, B. clamosus, Engystoma Carolinense, Scaphiopus solitarius, Rana 

 halecina, R. palustris, R. sylvatica, R. ornata, Hyla vei'sicolor, H. squi- 

 rella. Coluber JlageUiformis, C Alleglianiensis , C. quadrivittatus , C. 

 erythrogrammus , C. abacurus. 



The second volume contains the following species : Emys Oregoni- 

 etisis^ E. terrapin, E. picta, E. guttata, E. serrata, E. rubriventris, E. 

 retictdata, E. jloridana, E. mobilensis, Salamandra dorsalis, S. symmet- 

 rica, S. gutto-lineata, Trigonocephalus piscivorus, T. contortrix, Crota- 

 lu's miliarius, C adamanteus, C durissus, Elaps fulvus. Coluber erythro- 

 gaster, C. fasciatus, Heterodon platirhinos, Scincus erythrocephalus , 

 Heterodon niger. Coluber guttatus, C. taxispilotus, C. punctatus, C. 

 tBstivus, C. elapsoides. 



We regret to learn that the first volume is nearly or quite out of print. 

 It is to be hoped, however, that a second impression will soon be supplied. 

 From the preface of the second volume we perceive, that drawings are 

 ready for the third volume, which will probably be followed by two others 

 before the subject will be exhausted, 



11. Second Part to Shepard's Descriptive Mineralogy , is now prepar- 

 ing for the press, a:nd will shortly be published by Wiley 4" Putnam, of 

 New York, and Grigg S^ Elliot, of Philadelphia. It is intended to em- 

 brace a view of the progress of the science since 1835, the year in which 

 the first part of the work was printed. 



13. Blowpipe mouth for Oxygen and Hydrogen, — In the late edition 

 of Dr. Turner's Chemistry, much credit is given to Prof. Daniell, of 

 London, for the invention of a new jet to the compound blowpipe, which 

 is calculated greatly to increase the safety of that apparatus. Mr. Daniell 

 has also given an engraving and description of the same, in the Philoso- 

 phical Magazine, Vol. II, p. 57, 3d series. The jet, about 5 inches in 

 length, is composed of two concentric tubes, each terminated by plati' 



