The Sun.
London, England, 1829-05-11 00:00:00

PROGRESS OF NATURAL SCIENCE.

It is pleasing to observe the contention and rivalry
of nations exhibit themselves in the arts and sciences
of peace instead of war and bloodshed, and to see two
countries, which, whatever shades of difference may
exist in their respective characters, and whatever
hostilities may have prevailed between them, are yet
more nearly allied by community of descent, and
other relations, than almost any other nation of
Europe, engaged in a generous contest for extending
the boundaries of human knowledge. We allude
to the cases of England and France. In the culti-
vation of many branches of natural knowledge our
neighbours, for many years, far exceeded us in
energy and assiduity. But the case is altered, and
we now bid fair to be on a par with them in this re-
spect, if not to excel them. Zoology, which was
long so generally neglected in England, has in par-
ticular, within a few years, become an object of
general attention. Societies have been formed for
its advancement, many works of value have been
re-published, translated, or written upon it, and it
has received the patronage of ma..y of our most dis-
tinguished characters, and all this within a compara-
tively short space of time. These reflections have
been pressed upon us by an advertisement of the re-
publication of the earlier parts of that most valuable
work " The Animal Kingdom," from the French of
the Baron Cuvier, by Mr. Whittaker, who merits
the thanks of every true lover of science, for re-
producing, in a cheaper form, and thus insur;ng a
more extended circulation, to the completest reposi-
tory of Zoology, as far as it has gene, that haw yet
appeared among us. This work is not, Qs the reader
might suppose, a mere translation. The " Regne
Animal " of Cuvier forms indeed its basis, but is yet
the smallest of its constituent parts. A quantity of
supplementary matter, replete with interest, and
written in a style which reflects credit on the
authors, is superadded to it. Nearly seven volumes
are now completed, containing the mammalia, and
two orders of the birds. The illustrating figures are
executed with equal truth to nature and excellence
of professional skill, and when we inform our readers
that a great number of the mammalia, in particular,
have been engraved by Landseer and Bassire, they
will not consider our etilogium to be exaggerated.
The whole work is edited by Mr, B. Griffith, F,L,S.
Nis principal coadjutors are Major Charles Hata,
ton Smith and Mr. Pidgeon.
Amid a variety of most important awl interesting
matter roßtained in "The Animal Kingdom," we
would especially direct the attention of our readers
to the Supplemental History of Man, in the com-
mencement of the work ; to the order Ruminantia,
by Major Smith; to the account of Vertebrated
Fossils, by Mr. Pidgeon ; and to the preliminary
sketch of the Progress of Zoology, which, from the
initials annexed to it, we believe to be from the
same hand. But, in fact; every portion of the work
is worthy of the highest attention, and fully merits
that patronage from the public which we rejoice to
bear that'it has so amply obtained.

Nearly sixty families are about to emigrate
from the parish of Cowrie to Canada, causing a reduction
of from 200 to 300 on the amount of its population.—
Alin/m.9h Evening Courant.