It is unnecessary to say any thing of the excellence of a work, whose reputation has been long established and which no one can read without both pleasure and instruction. One of the most striking peculiarities in this edition is seen in the more frequent reference to American facts with which the author's two visits to this country and extensive travels in it have made him acquainted.

5. A Dictionary of Modern Gardening; by GEO. WM. JOHNSON. London. Edited by WM. LANDRETH of Philadelphia. Lea & Blanchard. 1847. 1 vol. 12mo. pp. 635.-This is a useful compendium of all that description of information which is valuable to the modern gardener. It quotes largely from the best standard authors, journals, and transactions of societies; and the labors of the American editor have fitted it for the United States, by judicious additions and omissions. The volume is abundantly illustrated with figures in the text. The articles, apple,' 'pear,' 'cherry,' 'plum,' 'peach,' embrace a brief and judicious selection of those varieties of fruits which experience has shown to be well suited to the United States.

6. A Manual of Road Making, comprising the location, construction, and improvement of Roads (common, Macadam, paved, plank, etc.) and Railroads; by WM. GILLESPIE, A.M., C.E., Professor of Civil Engineering in Union College. New York: A. S. Barnes & Co. 1 vol. 12mo. pp. 336. 1847.-If the well established principles of road building, which are so plainly set forth in Prof. Gillespie's valuable work, and so well illustrated, could be once put into general use in this country, every traveller would bear testimony to the fact, that the author is a public benefactor.

7. Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, Vol. ix, New Series, part iii.-p. 275. Description of New Fresh Water and Land Shells, with figures; by I. Lea.-p. 283. Observations made in the years 1838-1843, to determine the magnetic dip and intensity in the United States; by John Locke, M.D., Prof. Chem. and Pharm. in the Med. College of Ohio.-p. 329. Observations of the magnetic dip made at several positions, chiefly on the southwestern and northeastern frontiers of the United States, and the magnetic declination at two positions on the river Sabine, in 1840; by Maj. J. D. Graham, U. S. Corps of Topographical Engineers.

The following officers of this Society were elected on January last. President-Nathaniel Chapman, M.D.

Vice-Presidents-R. M. Patterson, M.D., Franklin Bache, M.D., A. Dallas Bache, LL.D.

Secretaries-Hon. J. K. Kane, Robley Dunglison, M.D., A. L. Elwyn, M.D., J. F. Frazer.

Counsellors for Three Years-Robert Hare, M.D., Wm. Hembel, C. D. Meigs, M.D., Henry Vethake.

Curators-E. Peale, J. P. Wetherill, John C. Cresson.
Treasurer-George Ord.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.-Vol. iv, No. 36, July-December, 1846.-p. 279, Letter from Dr. Franklin to Dr. Kimmersly, on "the effect of lightning on Mr. Holder's House."-p. 285, Observation by Prof. Henry on the interference of rays of heat, including his result that two rays may be thrown on each other so as to produce a reduction of temperature.-p. 287, Remarks on the Corpuscular theory; Prof. Henry.

No. 37. Jan., Feb. and March, 1847.-p. 299, List of officers for the year.-p. 305, On the Corpus luteum; Dr. Meigs.-p. 311, A missing star in Lalande's Chart, shown probably to be LeVerrier's planet, and determining the position of this planet in 1795; S. C. Walker.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA.--Vol. iii, No. 7, Jan. and Feb., 1847.-p. 143, Observation on fossil trees in the Nova Scotia coal mines, by R. Brown, Esq.; in which he remarks of one tree, "it has exposed two long roots, one branching to the north and the other to the south, about seven feet each way. They are very broad and flat, and are genuine Stigmaria. I could not trace any rootlets, but the areola are not to be mistaken. I have preserved some large pieces, as also some of the bark of the tree, which is apparently an irregularly fluted Sigillaria."-p. 149, Description of new Insects; S. S. Haldeman: Blethsia quadricollis, Chorea (n. gen.) pulsator, Eburia distincta, Enapholodes simplicicollis, Stenura? cyanea, Ploiaria maculata.-On the Cranium of the Zeuglodon from the Upper Eocene of South Carolina; M. Tuomey. "Length 143 inches; greatest breadth 71⁄2 in.; height 5. It was evidently a young individual. The double occipital condyle shows it to have been a mammal, while the squamous sutures and a symmetrical form refer it to the Cetacea."-p. 154, Remarks on the birds observed in Upper California; Wm. Gambel: includes the new genus Chamæa, instituted for Parus fasciatus, (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., ii, 265,) and various valuable observations on known species.-New Coleoptera of the United States; F. E. Melsheimer includes species of the genera Donacia, Orsodacna, Microrhopala, Galeruca, Calomicrus, Edionychis, Pachyonychus, Disonycha, Graptodera, Systena, Crepidodera, Psylliodes, Aphthona, Thyamis, Dibolia, Chatocnema, Sphæroderma, Metachroma, Eumolpus, Cryptocephalus, Monachus, Gastrophysa, Phædon, Tritoma, Triplax, Lycoperdina, Coccinella, Brachiacantha, Hyperaspis, Exochomus, Chilocorus, Seymnus. This closes the descriptions of Dr. Melsheimer, which were begun in Vol. ii, No. 2, (April, 1844,) of the Proceedings.

No. 8, March and April.-p. 185, On living hybrids in Pennsylvania between the Guinea fowl and the Turkey; A. Sharpless and W. Kite.-p. 190, Larva of the Cicada septendecim; Miss Morris.-p. 191, Composition of the dust of anthracite furnace flues; Prof. Johnson.-p. 199, Cyminidis Wilsonii, a new rapacious bird from Cuba; J. Cassin.-p. 200, Remarks on the birds observed in Upper California; Wm. Gambel.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY, February, 1847. -p. 193, Blind Crawfish of the Mammoth Cave, (Astacus pellucidus ;) W. F. Channing.-Prof. Agassiz mentioned the fact ascertained by Erichson, that the Crawfishes of America have all one pair of gills less than those of the old world. -p. 195, Microscopic examination of Gun-cotton; Dr. Bacon.-p. 196 and 200, Description of New Shells of the Exploring Expedition, (three species of Partula, two of Pupa, one of Balea, five of Achatinella, seven of Helicina, nine of Cyclostoma, and four of Truncatella; A. A. Gould -p. 198, A new species of Manatus, from Cape Palmas, (M. nasutus ;) G. A. Perkins.

ANN. AND MAG. NAT. HIST., Vol. xix, No. 126, April, 1847.—On Genus of Insects, Trachyphleus; J. Walton.-A new species of Dawsonia; R. K. Greville.— On some Chalcidites and Cynipites in the collection of Rev. F. W. Hope; F. Walker-Birds of Calcutta ; C. J. Sunderall.-Development of the Lycopodiaceæ ; K. Maller.-On the Siliceous Bodies of the Chalk and other formations; J. S. Bowerbank.-A new species of Penella.-Development of Echinidæ; M. Dufossé. -ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.-L. Pfeiffer on new land shells; L. Reeve on new species of Chama; J. H. Jonas on two new shells.-Bor. Soc. OF EDINB.-Rev. Dr. Fleming on the defoliation of trees; Dr. Balfour on Carex saxatilis and C. Grahami. ANNALES DES SCIENCES NATURELLES.-September.-Forms of the Crania of the inhabitants of the North; Retzius, Creplin.-On the Nemertida; de Quatrefages. -On the Arceuthobium Oxycedri; A. R. de Foncert.-On grafting of Gramineæ ; J. Calderini.-Conspectus of the genus Biebersteinia; Joubert and Spach.—On varieties, subspecies and species; Chevreul.

October. On the Nemertida; de Quatrefages.-On species, &c.; Chevreul.Development of leaves; C. E. de Mercklin.-On the genus Godoya and its analogues; E. Planchon.

November-On the Nemertida; de Quatrefages.-Pulmograde Meduse of the British Seas; E. Forbes.-Genera and species of Echinodermata; Agassiz and Desor.—Genus Godoya and its analogues; E. Planchon.-On the Development of the

embryo and anomalous corolla in the Ranunculacea and Violariæ; F. M. Barneoul: ibid, A. Brongniart.—On the origin of roots; A. Trécul.

December.-Agassiz's Echinodermata continued.-Metamorphosis of the Scathopses nigra; Dufour.-Origin of roots; A. Trécul.-Analecta Boliviana; J. Remy.-Note on the Zamia muricata; de Vriese.-Flora of Colombia; L. R. Tulasne. On the duration of the faculty of germinating in grains of different families. January, 1847.-Metamorphosis of the Subula citripes and Cassida maculata; Dufour. On the petrifaction of shells in the Mediterranean; M. de Serres and L. Figuier.-Development of the Echini; Dufossé-Lobiger and Lophocercus, new genera of Gasteropoda; Krokn-On the circulation of the blood in the Coleoptera; Nicolet.-Development of the ovule in the Avicennia; W. Griffith.-On the Ustilagineæ, compared with the Uredinea; L. R. and C. Tulasne.

COMPTES RENDUS ACAD. SCI. PARIS.-Dec. 28, 1846.-On the Trilobites of the schist of Brittany; M. Rouault.-On the elasticity and cohesion of the principal tissues of the human body; G. Wertheim.—Jan. 4, 1847.—On pyroxyline; Pelouze. -Microscopic anatomical researches on the shell of Decapod Crustacea; J. Lavalle.-Jan. 11.-On the relation between charges of powder and the initial force they communicate to balls, &c.; Morin.-Provisional elements of Leverrier's planet; Valz.-Jan. 18.-Essay on tidal currents and liquid waves; Keller.-Jan. 25. -On pyroxyline, hypoazotic cotton and xyloidine; Payen.-Compounds with Mannite, &c. analogous to pyroxyline; Flores Domonte and Menard.-Effects of ether in respiration; Roux, Velpeau, Langier, Gerdy.-On the borates; A. Laurent.-Feb. 1.-Effects of ether; Velpeau, Magendie, Milne Edwards, Roux, Lallemand.-New system of aerial locomotion; van Hencke.-Feb. 8.-Effects of ether on animals; Gruby.-New series of acids of sulphur; Plessy.—Inhalation of ether; Bouvier, Hutin, Tavernier.-Feb. 15.-Memoir on a new mode of treating nitrates, and especially saltpetre; Pelouze.--Action of chlorated alkalies on polarized light and on the animal economy; A. Laurent.-Effects of ether; Serres, Magendie, Velpeau, Roux, Flourens.-M. Civiale elected a member in place of M. Bory de Saint Vincent, deceased.—On detonating products from nitric acid and sugar, dextrine, &c.; A. Sobrero.-Feb. 22.-Effects of inhalation of ether on the medulla oblongata; Flourens, Magendie.-Connection between the difference in constitution of sulphuric and nitric ethers, and their different effects on the animal economy; Balard.-Equilibrium of bodies; de Saint-Venant.-Influence of alkalies in different natural phenomena, and especially of ammonia in nutrition; F. Kuhlmann.-Inhalation of ether; Laugier, Gerdy, Amussat, Landouzy.-On the compounds of phosphorus; Wurtz.-Formation of the Aorta.-Elements of Hind's comet of Feb. 6.-March 1.-On the decease of B. Delessert.-On the Artesian well near Calais.-On the movements of a system of molecules; Cauchy:-on some properties of complex factors; Cauchy-March 8.-On the Hipparitherium, new genus of Solipeds; Christol-Researches on electric conductility; Becquerel. -On the use of ether for distinguishing pretended disorders from real; Baudens. -Effects of ether; Flourens, Joly, Amussat, Cardan, Bourguet, Mayor.-Pyroxyline; Richier.-March 15.-On the mineral water of the Paramo de Ruiz, N. Granada; Boussingault, Lewy.-Compositions of different kinds of wood; Cherandier. On the true nature of anhydrous fluohydric acid; Louyet.-Compounds of cyanogen; Wurtz.-On terrestrial magnetism, or a new principle of celestial physics; Lion.-Glaciers of the north and center of Europe; Durocher.—Hind's comet.-March 22.-Polynomial radicals; Cauchy.-Ether injected into the veins; Flourens.-Effects of ether.-Hind's comet.-March 29.-Simple electro-chemical currents formed of liquids; Becquerel-Polynomial radicals; Cauchy-Identity of Leverrier's planet with a star observed by Lalande.—Theory of dew; Melloni. On the potato disease; Payen.—Mechanical properties of different kinds of wood; Chevandier and Wertheim.-Method of determining the nitrogen in organic substances; Peligot.-Apparatus for determining the velocity of electricity; Silber

mann.

ARCHIV FÜR NATURGESCHICHTE, Berlin, 4th Heft, 1846.-On a new species of Proteus; H. Freyer.-On the contractile cells of the embryo of Planaria; A. Kölliker.-Gammarus ambulans, n. sp.; A. F. Müller.-Acanthocerus rigidus, n. sp. of Crustacea, Fam. Cladocera; J. E. Shödler.-Notice of works and memoirs on mammalia and birds, for the year 1845; A. Wagner.

APPENDIX.

Descriptions of Fossil Shells of the Collections of the Exploring Ex pedition under the command of CHARLES WILKES, U.S.N., obtained in Australia, from the lower layers of the coal formation in Illawarra, and from a deposit probably of nearly the same age at Harper's Hill, valley of the Hunter; by JAMES D. DANA, Geologist of the Expedition.

1. Bellerophon undulatus.-Sparingly compressed, back of whorls rounded, surface smooth, having a series of distant plications crossing the back parallel with the lines of growth, (or nearly V shape with the angle rounded,) giving it an undulate outline, plicæ most abrupt on posterior side, becoming obsolete laterally, aperture deltoido-lunate, a little dilated laterally.-Diameter of species & inch; thickness through the centre of an inch; about four plications in a distance of half an inch.

-Harper's Hill.

2. Bellerophon strictus.-Discoid, much compressed, smooth and without markings, aperture narrow compressed-lunate, not dilated, the part of the aperture either side of the included body of the shell very narrow; back of the whorls rotund. Thickness at middle half the diameter. Resembles a Goniatite, but there are no septa.-Illawarra.

3. Platyschisma? depressum.-Large, very much depressed, suborbicular, spire very low; whorls three or four, much flattened, back somewhat truncate, surface without markings excepting striæ of growth. -Diameter 4 inches.-Harper's Hill.

4. Pleurotomaria tri-filata.—Shell rather short turreted; whorls four, separated by a distinct suture, back tri-carinate, the middle carina largest, subacute; aperture orbicular.-Large specimens are eight lines long, and five broad at base.-Harper's Hill and Illawarra.

5. Pleurotomaria nuda.-Shell much depressed, whorls four or five, smooth, rounded, low-carinate, with an obsolete sulcus either side of carina; volutions separated by a distinct suture.-Specimen is of an inch in diameter, and about half an inch in length.-Harper's Hill. 6. Natica

?-Illawarra.

7. Patella tenella.-Short conical, apex pointed, slightly recurved, not projecting beyond base; base oblong ovate, narrowest beneath the beak, length about twice greatest breadth. Length of base of an inch; height of an inch. On the specimen, which is a neatly pre

* A detailed account of these and other fossils from Australia, illustrated by figures, will appear in the Government Geological Report by the writer, now nearly ready for publication. As interesting associations of species and genera will be perceived, the writer would remark, that the species with few exceptions were obtained by himself at the localities. He offers here no opinion as to the particular age of the deposits.

The writer would acknowledge the very essential aid he has kindly received from Prof. Agassiz in the study of many of the species.

served cast, only a small portion of the original shell remains, from which it appears that the surface was smooth, and marked only by faint lines of growth.-Harper's Hill.

PENTADIA, (nov. gen.)-This name is proposed for singular flat fossils, which have one side quite smooth, the other delicately and closely marked with parallel subcrenulate ridges having the angles of a regular pentagon and concentric. Two of the specimens are casts of the exterior, and the other is a calcareous petrifaction. As the last mentioned is quite solid, having the oblique cleavage of many calcareous fossils, (the spines of Echini, &c.) it is evident that the original was solid, and could not have been a Porpita, which one of the specimens somewhat resembles. And since, besides, there is no appearance of a mouth or any opening, or organs of motion, and the form varies very much, we may infer that the fossils were an internal secretion probably of some mollusk, and more allied to the cuttle-fish bone than any thing else we can suggest. The first species here described has much the appearance of a Spatangus.

8. Pentadia spatangus.-Form pentagonal or approximately twelvesided, suborbicular, with five broad and rounded folds (one largest) radiating from the centre. The concentric pentagonal markings have the five angles at the centres of the triangular sections; and at the centres of four of the sides of the pentagon, there is a reëntering angle.Diameter 2 inches; thickness inch.-Illawarra.

9. Pentadia reniformis.-Resembles a single segment of the preceding, with a broad lateral wing-like prolongation, nearly as large as the segment. It is quite thin, and its shape is reniform, though somewhat arcuately flexed. The specimen is undoubtedly a perfect individual.Length inch; breadth 14 inch; thickness 1 line.-Illawarra.

10. Pentadia trigona.-Shape triangular, slightly arcuately flexed. It is thicker than either of the preceding, and has a rounded margin. It resembles the last in its markings, having the same angle of intersection (that of a pentagon) between two sets of parallel lines.— Breadth 1 inch; thickness inch.—Illawarra.

11. Lingula ovata.-Quite small, regularly broad ovate, acute at beak, margin not at all truncate; valves thin, very convex; surface smooth with faint concentric lines of growth.-Dimensions, from the beak to the opposite margin of an inch; transverse line a fourth less.-Very near the L. lata of Murchison, (Sil. Syst., pl. 8, fig. 11,) but not at all "squarish."-Illawarra.

12. Terebratula amygdala.-Oblong ovate, attenuate above, thickest about the centre, valves about equally and regularly convex, inferior margin arcuate, ventral valve very regularly ovate in outline; beak reflexed close to apex of ventral valve; aperture round and rather large; line of junction of valves in side view almost straight, very slightly bent above, the cardinal edges being little concave; surface smooth with a few concentric folds and some faint radiations.-Cardinal angle 82°; height 1 inch; breadth 7 H.; thickness 46 H. Near the T. has100 tata.-Illawarra.

13. Terebratula elongata.-(Verneuil, Palæozoic Rocks of Russia, p. 63, pl. ix, fig. 9.)-Scarcely differs from this species as described and figured by Verneuil.-Illawarra.