190 
EDITORIAL. 
to be the most extensive, and the very best in the world/' through the 
aid of many naturalists both American and Foreign, but most especially 
through the liberality of Dr. T. B. Wilson, whose contributions, by pur- 
chase, to this department alone, amount to more than 16,000 specimens, 
including the celebrated Rivoli collection formerly at Paris. 
We have not space to enter into the very interesting particulars of the 
origin and progress of the Academy, an inability that we regret the less, 
since learning that the work of Dr. Ruschenberger can be procured at the 
Hall of the Academy. 
Every American, and especially every Philadelphian, should be proud of 
this Institution, and should embrace every opportunity to add to its collec- 
tions, remembering that scientific benefits are of universal application, and 
that, in the estimation of the naturalist, every production of nature has a 
value. There are many intelligent sea-captains, whom this account would 
stimulate to take advantage of the valuable opportunities that foreign voy- 
ages afford to make collections of natural objects, and we are glad to see 
that, among the numerous officers of the Navy, there are some instances of 
laudable zeal in this disinterested benevolence. 
Review of Materia Medico, for the use of Students. By John B.Biddle, M. D., 
of Philadelphia. With Illustrations. Philadelphia : Lindsay & Blakis- 
ton, 1852; pp. 322, 12mo. 
This volume is intended to assist the Medical Student in grasping the 
numerous important details of a prominent branch of his studies, by pre- 
senting the most important facts and principles, in a concise, clear, and 
explicit manner, so that after having applied himself, in his more leisure 
seasons, to the larger treatises, he can in a rapid and effectual manner recall 
directly before his minds eye the more important features of the subject, 
and indirectly, by association, the less striking facts. 
From a general examination of the book, we believe this object has been 
accomplished with more than usual success, and that it will prove in prac- 
tice a useful auxiliary to those for whom it iff intended. It has the merit 
of not being so full as to induce the indolent to depend on it alone, and yet 
it is sufficiently comprehensive to serve as a valuable aid. 
The Pocket Formulary, and Synopsis of the British and Foreign Pharmaco- 
poeias, comprising Standard and Approved Formula? for the Preparations 
and Compounds employed in Mediccd Practice. By Henry Beasley. 
First American, from the last London edition, corrected, improved and 
enlarged. Philadelphia : Lindsay & Blakiston, 1852 ; pp. 443. 12mo. 
If the American Physician and Apothecary is not well posted up with 
recipes of all kinds, and all qualities, it is not the fault of the publishers. 
The real or apparent utilitarian tendency of such works, addresses itself to 
a large class of persons who wish to read with profit, not so much to their 
