REVIEWS OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 
Ill 
The date of the birth of this eminent man is a matter of question ; some con¬ 
tending for 1527, and others for 1522. Our biographer inclines to the latter 
opinion. He was born at Bologna, at which city and at Padua his education was 
conducted. For a few years he devoted himself to the study of Law, in which 
he made so great proficiency that (to use his own words) he “ was urged to accept 
the badges of its highest honours.” His natural bias of mind overcoming these 
tempting considerations, he bade farewell to jurisprudence, and devoted his whole 
attention to Natural Philosophy. Having taken his degree in Physic at the 
University of Bologna, in 1553, we find him a few months afterwards occupying 
the chairs of Philosophy and Logic and of Natural History. At this time, it is 
said that he also delivered lectures on Botany, and taught Physic, within the 
walls of the University; and that he likewise ■“ became occupied with the 
laborious professional duties of the healing art.” In the midst of all these 
engagements, Aldrovandi made rapid progress in collecting materials for his pon¬ 
derous “ Opera * on Natural History, the idea of publishing which he appears to 
have early entertained. Fifty years having been occupied in preparing this work 
for the press, its author only lived to see the publication of six volumes; the 
remaining seven were superintended by his friends and pupils. It embraces the 
whole range of Natural History, and now exists a monument of its authors 
indefatigable industry and perseverance. Considering the age in which it ap¬ 
peared, the praise bestowed upon it can scarcely be too high; much, however, 
that is fabulous and crude, together with many discrepancies in arrangement, 
appear in his pages. Aldrovandi died in 1605, having for some time before his 
decease lost his eye-sight, which to a zealous naturalist must be considered a 
severe deprivation. But this is not the only calamity that befel him, if we 
believe the report credited by several authors, viz., that he “ died a neglected 
pauper in the public hospital of Bologna, loaded with years, and blind, a remark¬ 
able instance of public ingratitude.” The biographer combats this belief, in our 
opinion, very successfully. Indeed it is scarcely credible that such would be the 
circumstances of a man who enjoyed substantial support from Pope Clement 
VIII., Sixtus VI., and the Senate of Bologna, and whose manuscript that 
“ august assembly” liberally rewarded several eminent naturalists for preparing 
for publication. 
The account of Aldrovandi’s zeal is very interesting. His great and ever¬ 
present desire seems to have been to explore the beauties and wonders of Nature’s 
kingdom. Must it then be considered merely by chance that his portrait (prefixed 
to the present volume) displays a very large development of the organs of Form 
and Individuality ? 
Our space will not allow us to do more than barely notice Mr. MacGillivray’s 
portion of the work. We must [content ourselves, therefore, by recommending 
