172 Notice of Prof . Forbes 's Travels in the Alps. 



It appears to me, that there are causes now in action on the 

 northeast coast of this continent, that are producing effects simi- 

 lar to what has been done by diluvial currents on the surface of 

 New England. 



If you have not had an opportunity of seeing worn bowlders, 

 such as I have described, I should be glad to have the pleasure 

 of showing you some. Respectfully yours, &c. 



Peter Dobson. 



Art. XXII. — Notice of Travels in the Alps of Savoy, and other parts 

 of the Pennine Chain, with observations on the phenomena of Gla- 

 ciers ; by James D. Forbes, F. R. S., Sec. R. S. Ed., Cor. Mem. of 

 the Institute of France, and Prof, of Nat. Phil, in the Univ. of Edin- 

 burgh.* 



The beautiful work of Prof. Agassiz on the Glaciers, with its fine 

 illustrations, produced so vivid and deep an impression, that the no less 

 splendid volume of Prof. Forbes, finds the public mind already awaken- 

 ed, informed and eager for additional information, but not disinclined 

 to receive any new theoretical views that promise to be stable ; it can- 

 not fail therefore to excite much attention, both on account of what it 

 affirms and what it denies. The great work of the distinguished Swiss 

 naturalist on the study of the Glaciers, as well as his labors in other de- 

 partments of science, with the discussions which they have excited, we 

 and our correspondents have frequently noticed. f In turning therefore 

 to a successor and a friendly rival in the ice-fields of the Alps, we find 

 new facts and new theoretical views, in a department which appeared 

 to have been almost exhausted by the labors of De Saussure, Hugi, 

 Necker, Escher, Lardy, Zumstein, Venetz, Charpentier, Studer, Ren- 

 du, and above all by those of Agassiz. 



The travels of Prof. Forbes, are contained in a volume of 424 pages 

 royal octavo, closely printed on beautiful paper. They are illustrated 

 by nine excellent lithographic views of glaciers and ice-girt mountains 

 and by two topographical maps, one large and folded ; also by nine to- 

 pographical sketches inserted in the body of the pages. 



The text is divided into twenty one chapters and followed by an ap- 

 pendix. This work contains ample and exact details in topography, 



* Received through the kindness of the publishers, Adam & Charles Black, Ed- 

 inburgh; and Longman, Brown, Green & Longman, London. 



t See this Journal, Vol. xli, p. 191—194; Vol. xlii, p. 346; Vol. xliii, p. 390; 

 Vol. xliv, p. 146; Vol. xlv, p. 324, &c. 



