Bibliography. 197 



results, more precious than mines of gold." This is no idle boasting. 

 The author in a chapter of thirty seven pages, on the Mutual Action of 

 the Organic and Inorganic Elements of Soil, has opened some of these 

 mines — enough to bring up to view rich samples of the golden ore. 

 In plain language, we have never met with so luminous and satisfactory 

 a view of the mutual and complicated action of silicates, salts, and geine, 

 as this chapter presents. Gladly would we lay before our readers an 

 analysis of its contents, but we must forbear. 



Similar remarks will apply to the still longer chapter on manures, 

 and to that on artificial manures. For the numerous analyses by 

 the author of several sorts of manure, and the important results he 

 hence deduces, and for the important suggestions he makes as to artifi- 

 cial manures, he deserves the gratitude of his country and the patron- 

 age of its government. For if heeded by the farmer, the doubling at 

 least of our agricultural productions will undoubtedly be the result, and 

 few farmers can read these chapters without being convinced that 

 " rivers of riches run away from farms from want of attention to saving 

 that which ordinarily is allowed to be wasted," p. 175. 



In conclusion, we can cordially recommend this work to our agricul- 

 tural friends for its practical character. It is not saying too much to 

 assert, that Dr. Dana has done for the farmer in this treatise, what Dr. 

 Bowditch did for the sailor when he published his Practical Navigator. 

 In this respect this treatise contrasts strongly with such a work as that 

 of Liebig on the Organic Chemistry of Agriculture, &c. which, not- 

 withstanding its originality and the philosophical beauty of its theories, 

 is apt to make the impression upon the farmer that he is not at present 

 to expect much from agricultural chemistry but ingenious conjecture. 

 We are sure that Dr. Dana's work will remove this impression, while 

 on the other hand, the chemist will see in it evidence of the rapid 

 advance of this science. Within two years, three able European chem- 

 ists, Liebig, Daubeny, and Johnston, have given to the world most ma- 

 ture and valuable treatises upon it ; and now we have a cis- Atlantic 

 effort, which will not suffer by a comparison with any other. Truly 

 the genius of agriculture may exult in the bright prospects that are 

 opening before her. 



10. Address delivered at the Anniversary meeting of the Geological 

 Society of London, Feh. 18, 1842 ; and the announcement of the 

 award of the Wollaston Medal and Donation fund for the same year ; 

 by Roderick Impey Murchison, F. R. S., President of the Society. — 

 The annual addresses at the anniversaries of the Geological Society of 

 London are full of instruction. That of the present year is not a whit 

 behind its predecessors, and is every way worthy of its distinguished 



