Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-04-14
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

MANUAL OF GEOLOGY. Designed for the Use Of Col
legcS and Academies BY EBEHEzEH ENMoNS
Prof of Nat History and Geology in Williams
College, late \. Y State GeolOgiSt &c. Phila-
dolphin, Sower, Barnes & Co; Albany, Elias
Gates &c, &C., 1860 l2mO., PIP. 900.
The author of this treatise is of the veteran
biologists Of our country, and Of its most aho-
rouS and discriminating Observers III the wide field
Of Natural science Actively engaged for several
years of the State BIOLOGISTS of the State of
New York, 70" some years past employed State
Geoogi>t of North-Carolina and for forty years an
untiring explorer i'll the realms Of Nature, lie has
brought to the preparation of this volume wealth
OF knowledge, an utcneSS of discrimination and 4
precision OF lhngIage the subjects of discussion
which not often f0una combined in the prcpara-
ton of 4 man tll Tor beginners The condensation
of matter and expression in the book are rcmarka-
bic For large portions Of it, almost every sentence
is text on which large discourse and illustration
may he laid by experienced and discriminating
instructor This quality, adding in reality much to
the value of the work for the purposes intended Ivy
its author will make it less satisfactory to such
may wish to read it with the haste allowable for
Illustrated article in larpcrS Magazine; for they
will find themselves overwhelmed with multitude
of definitions. facts propositions, and conclusions
whi n require for their mastery great deal OF stud
and cautious reorganization.
As far as possible the author has drawn his illus
traonS OF sections, fossils &c. from American objects,
believing that To be the most natural and instruc-
tive for the benefit of American pupilS-not
SuppoS!tiOn that the laws of nature differ
cnt in one part of the world from what they are in
another but because it is easier and more SatSacto
~ for learner to see them exempcd in such par
ticuar objects as he is able to find existing in the
ancient or modern productions of his own country,
rather than in their congcncrs and co-varieteS how
ever closely related, which only be found abroad
Geology is not considered as science of principles
peculiar to ITSELF but as a Natural History of the
Earths exterior to moderate depth-Of the natural
bodies which nuke It up of the forces which have
operated to modify its parts and of the order of sue
cesSion which belongs to 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 prcSupposeS 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 geological
subjects must be of the most vague and unsatisiac-
tory kind. Brief SynopseS of the main divisions of
classification applied to plants and animals are nev
ertheless given in the book followed by classifica-
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 ceologiSts 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-
Der of distinct wood-cut illustrations of such fos-
sils are inserted in the work. and the whole is termi-
mated by copous 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
CALIFORNIA Moss.-This is singular article
which has been brought from the Land of Gold. 1t
has the property of making very palatable beer by
the addition of spoonful of molasses every pint
of water daily and it has the quality of making very
good yeast This may be surprising to many, but
it is nevertheless true have had it tried at
house. And not the least surprising quality about
it is that the moss increases every day. If any one
has any doubts let them try it.-Char. Wing.