Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-04-18
NEW PUBLICATIONS.


legcs and Academies By EBEsEzEH EuNoSs,
Prof of Nat History and Geology in Williams
College, late N. Y. State Geolosist &c. Phila-
dclphia, Sower, Barnes & Co.; Albany Elias
Gates, &C., &C., 1860 12mo., PIP. 200.
The author of this treatise is one of the veteran
biologists of our country and one of its most laho
rious and discriminating observers in the wide field
of Natural science. Actively engaged for several
years one Of the State Biologists of the State of
New York, for some years past employed as State
Geologist of North Carolina, and for forty years an
untring explorer, in the realms Of Nature, he has
brought to the preparation of this volume wealth
of knowledge an acutencss of discrimination and
precision OF language on the subjects of discussion
which are not often found combined in the prepara-
ton Of man ial for beginners. The condensation
of matter and expression in the book are rcmarka-
ble. For large portions Of it almost every sentence
is text on which large discourse and illustration
may be laid by an experienced and discriminating
instructor. This quality, adding in reality much to
the value of the work for the purposes intended by
its author will make it less satisfactory to such as
may wish to read it with the haste allowable for
illustrated article in IIarpcr's Magazine; for they
will find themselves overwhelmed with multitude
of definitions. facts propositions and conclusions
which require for their mastery great deal of study
and cautious re-eXaminaton.
As far as possible the author has drawn his illus
trations Of sections Fossils &C. from American objects,
believing that to be the most natural and instruc-
tive course for the benefit of American pupils,
on supposition that the laws of nature are differ
cnt in one part of the world from what they in
another but because it is easier and more satiSacto
ry for learner to see them exempfed in such par
ticular objects he is able to find existing in the
ancient or modern productions of his own country,
rather than in their congeners and co-variecs how
ever closely related which can only be found abroad
Geology is not considered a science of principles
peculiar to itself, but as a Natural History of the
Earth's exterior to moderate depth-of the natural
bodies which make it up, Of the forces which have
operated to modify its parts and of the order of sue
cession which belongs the changes has undergone
under the influences of such mechanical and chemical
laws such natural agencies, inorganic and organic
as the Creator of the Universe has employed, from
the beginning, in the world which we inhabit, the
author presupposes in the student of this work
knowledge Of botany and zoology, of chemistry
and mechanical philosophy, &c,-enough at least,
to enable him to understand the more general dvis
ions and terms of those sciences for without such
preparatory knowledge all his notions on geological
subjects must be of the most vague and unsatsfac-
tory kind Brief synopses of the main divisions of
classification as applied plants and animals are
ertheless given in the book, followed by classified.
ton and nomenclature of rocks, and then by a
consideration of the various systems of rocks far
as in the present state OF geological knowledge,
their conditions and proper limitations are allowed
BY biologists, as in many Of these systems, their
limitations are to great degree determined by the
character and relative abundance of the peculiar
fossils which are found in them very large num-
1 Der of distinct wood-cut illustrations of such fos
sls are inserted in the work. and the whole is term
mated by copious glossary Of terms used in it We
know Of no other work which can be considered as
any adequate substitute for this one of Prof EN-
MONS and we are sure that it will be found largely
useful, not only to beginners but to many who have
made considerable progress in their geological
4 studes.-Bu Burlington VernonD Free Press.
4 CALroRNIA Moss.-Ths is o singular article
which has been brought from the Land of Gold Il
the property Of making vety palatable beer BY
of water daily, and has the quality of making very
4 good yeast This may be surprising to many, bu
it's nevertheless true we have had it tried at ou
house. And not the least surprising quality abou
it is that tho moss increases every day. If any ON
y has any doubts let them try itACAar Wig.