29 



changes in a science which is yet in its in- 

 fancy, and which has hitherto been peculi- 

 arly the arena for hardy speculations and 

 daring conjecture. But whatever may be 

 the fate of this proposed alteration of no- 

 menclature, the facts are detailed with great 

 accuracy, and will be lasting monuments of 

 the zeal, industry, and talents of the author. 



The interests of science have been obvi- 

 ously advanced in this city, by the formation 

 of the New-York Atheneum. Among the 

 numerous lectures delivered before that in- 

 stitution during the past year, the Lectures 

 on Geology^ by our associate Dr. Van Rens- 

 selaer, demand our notice. The author has 

 with commendable industry, from the writ- 

 ings of Humboldt, Mac Culloch, and others, 

 produced a valuable outline of the science 

 of Geology, and the occasional references 

 to the formations of our own country, add 

 much to the reputation of the lecturer and 

 to the value of the work. 



BOTANY. 



This department of Natural Science has 

 been prosecuted w^ith much success. It 

 would not be too much to assert that it has 



