Scientific Reviews. Al 
riors, its works of art, and its inundations like the classic Nile; but which so 
existed in days of which we have scarcely a record.” —P. 64, et seqq. 
And “ in the same way,’’ he continues with prophetic energy, ‘‘ shail perish 
the Nile of Egypt and its valley ! its pyramids, its temples, and its cities! The 
Delta shall become a plashy quicksand—a second Syrtis! and the Nile shail 
cease to exist from the Lower Cataract downwards, for this is about the measure 
or height of the giant principle of destruction already treading on the Egyptian 
valley, and who is advancing from the Libyan Desart, backed by other desarts 
whose names and numbers we do not even know, but which we have endeavoured 
to class under the ill-defined denomination of Sahara,—advancing, I repeat, to 
the annihilation of Egypt and all her glories with the silence, but with the cer- 
tainty too, of all-devouring time !”—P. 69. 
The remainder of the volume is occupied, J. By a critical con- 
sideration “ of a sort of geographical centaur,” which has appeared 
of late years under the immiscible names of the Niger-Congo, and 
under this section there is an attempt at a refutation of the theories 
which have been previously promulged; and as it always proves 
much easier to controvert the opinions of others, than to afford a 
satisfactory explanation of dubious questions, this is by far the most 
successful portion of the author’s volume. 2. By observations on 
the African geography of D’Anville and Rennell. And 3. By a 
discussion of the site of the island of Ulil, which he places in Lake 
Domboo, (but which common consent has hitherto located in the 
Bight of Benin.) 
When the author of the inductive philosophy strove to apply his 
new method to the elucidation of Natural History, nothing was 
wanting to ensure sound deductions but accurate data ; and thus 
it is with the inquiry on the termination of the Niger. But so 
long as. such a momentous question exists, as whether the Kong 
Mountains on the west meet the Mountains of the Moon from the 
east,—so long as it is a matter of doubt whether, if their existence 
were proved, a primitive range of upwards of 2500 feet high, would 
afford a barrier to a tropical flood whose source is elevated 1600 feet 
above the level of the sea,—whilst the facts do not exist upon 
which we may argue, and whilst Physical Geography has few ax- 
ioms which may be made the basis of reasoning,—we view it as the 
more philosophic mede, however much we may be privately inclin- 
ed to a particular opinion, to delay even the discussion of the va- 
rious speculations which have been advanced, till Science shall 
have further encouraged the nations of Europe to be earnest in the 
collection of well-attested facts. 

Polynesian Researches during a Residence of nearly Six Years in 
the South Sea Islands. By WiLu1am Exuis, Missionary to 
the Society and- Sandwich Islands, 2 vols. 8vo. Fisher & Co. 
London, 1829. : 
_ Mr. Exxis is a Christian philanthropist in the fullest accepta- 
tion of the term, and his work is one of that character, of which 
VOL. I. F 
