REVIEWS. 
Transactions of the Geological Society of Pennsylvania. Vol. I., Part 2. 
Philadelphia: James Kay and Brother. 
Our brethren across the Atlantic, with that shrewdness and foresight which 
enters largely into their national character, are wisely anticipating the advantages 
which, as a flourishing commercial people, they will derive from an intimate 
acquaintance with the geological history of their own country. In many of the 
United States, geological surveys are going forward, encouraged by the immediate 
sanction, or even active co-operation of the legislature ; and judging from what 
has already been effected, the completion of these important undertakings will not 
be retarded by any lack of spirit and energy on the part of the government, or 
from a want of competency among those who have volunteered their services in 
the cause. Three or four years hence, and a considerable portion of the new world 
will be before us with its geological relations familiarly laid down in colours, or as 
minutely detailed in black and white, as are now (thanks to the industry and per¬ 
severance of British geologists) those of our own island. 
There is something at first almost startling to the imagination, in contemplat¬ 
ing a task so arduous as that of working out the geological features of the vast 
continent of North America. Difficult, however, as the attempt may appear, the 
undertaking is not one beset with insurmountable obstacles. The ground, it is 
true, may be untrodden, but he who ventures to explore it is not without a beacon 
to direct his steps. The American geologist has a course of investigation before 
him, in which the modus operandi is already determined. On entering the field of 
inquiry, a track that has been beaten elsewhere points out to him the line of 
research which he must adopt. The rocks in this country will be, as it were, the 
stepping-stones to the mountain-ranges in his own ; and while traversing the deep 
ravines and boundless plains of that extensive region, he will not be unmindful of 
the benefits conferred on science through the patient industry and unflinching 
zeal which animated Smith, or fail to appreciate the true spirit of philosophy 
which prompted the labours of Coneybeare or Greenhough. 
The work now before us is the second part of the first volume of transactions, 
published by the Geological Society of Pennsylvania: a Society established in 
1832, at that time consisting of only seven individuals, but which now enrolls on 
its list of supporters more than 200 resident or corresponding members. 
It is with feelings of the most lively interest that we observe the name of 
our countryman, Richard Cowling Taylor, as one of the leading contributors to 
the present volume. Six years have now elapsed since this enterprising geologist 
