194 Scientific Intelligence* 
54. Mathematical Essays by the late William Spence^ Esq . — 
On the appearance of the first of these Essays on the Theory 
of the various Orders of Logarithmic Transcendents in 1809, 
its merits were universally acknowledged to entitle the author to 
hold a high rank among mathematicians. It is to be regretted 
that a premature death carried him off at a time when he was 
making such a rapid progress in the cultivation of the sciences. 
Of these tracts, the first only was intended by the author to 
meet the public eye in its present shape, though a few copies of 
another of them, denominated Outlines of a Theory of Alge- 
braical Equations, had been printed and distributed among the 
author’s friends. The others were selected from Mr Spence’s 
papers by the editor, J. F. W. Herschel, Esq., who was pre- 
eminently qualified to judge of the respective merits of the seve- 
ral pieces. These papers clearly prove, that Mr Spence pos- 
sessed both genius and industry in a high degree, and a force 
of intellect of a very superior kind. Notwithstanding the dis- 
advantage attending some of the essays, in common with other 
posthumous works, we warmly recommend them to the atten- 
tion of the British student, as models of analytical papers of 
uncommon excellence. They will inspire him with a taste for 
pure analysis, which, when properly directed, in the present 
state of the sciences, is the most certain method of arriving at 
distinction. — W. G. 
55. Memoirs of the Wernerian Natural History Society . — 
The first half of the fourth volume of the Memoirs of the Wer- 
nerian Society, has just made its appearance, but not in time to 
allow of our giving any account of the individual papers. The 
following are the titles of the different communications. 1. On 
the Crystallisation of Copper-pyrites, by William Haidinger of 
Ereyberg, member of the W ernerian Society. % Notice of 
attempts to reach the Sea by Mackenzie's River, since the Expe 
dition of Sir Alexander Mackenzie. 3. Geological Notice and 
Miscellaneous Remarks, relative to the District between the 
Jumna and the Nerbuddah, by Dr Adam of Calcutta, member 
of the Wernerian Society. 4. Notice regarding the Fossil 
Elephant of Scotland, by Robert Bald, Esq. member of the 
Wernerian Society. 5. Description of Seven New Scottish 
Fungi, by R. K. Greville, Esq., member of the Wernerian 
