VIII. PHYSICAL SCIENCE AND NATURAL HISTORY.

"It was an apt observation of the excellent Plutarch, that we ought to regard books as we do sweetmeats, not wholly to aim at the pleasantest, but chiefly to respect the wholesomest; not forbidding either, but approving the latter most."-FELTHAM.

Playfair's Discourse on the Progress of the Physical and Mathematical Sciences.

It combines the utmost clearness with the greatest brevity, and his examples are chosen from the most striking and splendid discoveries of modern science.-Edinburgh Rev.

Thomson's History of Chemical Philosophy. This sketch, by one of the first chemists of the time, must be able, accurate, and interesting.

Arnott's Physics,

with additions by Dr. Hayes, is a good popular treatise.— Enc. Am.

It would seem a hopeless task to enter upon works on physical science generally, but one may be named, "The Elements of Physics," by Dr. Arnott, as one of the most extraordinary and valuable books of the age; one calculated to entice the student into the very recesses of natural philosophy, and well worthy of a very frequent perusal.—Warren's Law Studies.

2 vols. 8vo, $1 50, Philadelphia, 1838.

Good's Book of Nature.

This volume is designed to take a systematic, but popular survey of the most interesting features of the general science of nature, for the purpose of elucidating what has been found obscure, controverting and correcting what has been felt erroneous, and developing, by means of original views and hypotheses, much of what yet remains to be more satisfactorily explained.-Preface.

1 vol. 8vo, $1 25, New-York.

Fisher's Physics.

This work displays great accuracy of judgment, caution and originality in investigation, and shows a genius of high order in this department.

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Ferguson's Lectures on Subjects in Mechanics, Hydrostatics, Pneumatics, and Optics.

Perspicuity in the selection and arrangement of his facts, and in the display of the truths deduced from them, are the characteristics of these lectures.-Penny Cyc.

8vo, $2 00, London, 1839.

Smellie's Philosophy of Natural History. This work, taken in connexion with Dr. Ware's Introduction, is an admirable guide to the study of Zoology. 4to, $2 25.

White's Natural History of Selborne.

Many curious facts on the subject of Natural History may be found in that delightful work.-School and Schoolmaster. 1 vol. 18mo, 45 cents, New-York.

Huber on Bees.

This work contains some curious observations on Bees.Enc. Am.

Euler's Letters.

They have, with the exception of the metaphysical part, been much esteemed, particularly for the singular perspicuity with which their author has explained some of the most profound truths in physics.-Edinb. Enc.

2 vols. 18mo, 90 cents, New-York.

Sir J. Herschel's Discourses on the Study of Natural Philosophy.

These discourses are admirable, proving in a clear and distinct manner the use of the study of Natural Philosophy. --Enc. Am.

1 vol. 12mo, 60 cents, New-York.

Herschel's Astronomy.

It is written in a popular and generally intelligible style, entirely free from mathematical symbols, and disencumbered, as far as possible, of technical phrases.

Daniell's Physics,

Being an Introduction to the Study of Chemical Philosophy, containing Optics, Electricity, Electro-magnetism, &c. 1 vol. 18mo, 69 cents, New-York.

Olmstead's Astronomy.

This work is a popular treatise on that science: it enters fully into its history, and considers the subject of Natural Theology so far as it is related to Astronomy.

Lardner's Mechanics.

A work which contains an uncommon amount of useful information, exhibited in a plain and very intelligible form. -Olmstead.

Renwick's Practical Mechanics.

This volume is alike creditable to the writer, and to the state of science in this country.-Am. Quarterly Rev. 1 vol. 18mo, 90 cents, New-York.

Mantell's Wonders of Geology.

From a very competent hand, and calculated to awaken interest in this delightful study.

Hitchcock's Geology.

We have not read a line in Mr. Hitchcock's work which has not inspired us with confidence in him as an accurate observer, governed by a liberal and philosophic spirit.-- North Am. Rev.

De la Beche's Geological Manual.

A work of great importance in the science to which it relates, and which must henceforth take its place in the library of every student in Geology.

Lyell's Principles of Geology.

This work is exclusively confined to the consideration of the changes now going on upon the earth in the animate and inanimate creation, and the bearing of such changes on the interpretation of geological monuments.-Preface.

A very learned and able work.

3 vols. 12mo, $5 50.

Lyell's Elements of Geology.

12mo, $200.

Lee's Elements of Geology.

In this volume will be found, perhaps, the fullest description of the geological formations and mineral resources of

the United States, hitherto published in any systematic treatise.-Preface.

18mo, 50 cents, New-York.

Davy's Elements of Chemical Philosophy. This work, although it bears marks of haste, contains much interesting matter, and is from one of the great masters.-Penny Cyc.

Beck's Chemistry.

A very good elementary treatise.

Kane's Chemistry.

This volume includes the most recent discoveries and applications of the science to medicine and pharmacy, and to the arts.

1 vol. 8vo, $2 00, New-York.

Chaptal's Chemistry applied to Agriculture. There is nothing so indispensable to the interests of agriculture as that the knowledge of the physical laws should be more widely diffused; to contribute to this important object is the design of this work.-Preface.

1 vol. 18mo, 50 cents, New-York.

Liebig's Animal Chemistry; or, Organic Chemistry in its Application to Physiology and Pathology.

A great work, presenting some startling views, but entitled to deep consideration.

25 cents.

Cleaveland's Mineralogy.

The most copious and valuable work now in use.

Sheppard's Mineralogy.

A useful and entertaining work.

Kirby's Entomology of North America.

The descriptions given in this work are laboured and accurate. It is certainly the most scientific work which has appeared in any branch of Natural History in this country.— Edinburgh Enc.

Rennie's Insect Architecture.

This is certainly a very interesting work, and does credit to the author as a naturalist and a writer.-North Am. Rev.

Wyatt's Conchology.

This manual is prepared according to the system laid down by Lamarck, with the late improvements by De Blainville. The whole is exemplified and arranged for the use of students. 8vo, $175, New-York.

Yarrell's Fishes.

Audubon's Synopsis of the Birds of North Amer

Above praise.

ica.

8vo, $375, Edinburgh, 1839.

Gray's Botanical Text-Book.

This work comprises an introduction to Structural and Physiological Botany, and the Principles of Systematic Botany, with an account of the chief natural families of the vegetable kingdom, and notices of the principal officinal or otherwise useful plants.

1 vol. 8vo, $1 50.

Buffon's Natural History.

The mass of authenticated facts which is contained in his works, and the rank to which he has raised the science of natural history, entitle him to that fame which he now enjoys, and to that immortality which he himself anticipated.—Edinburgh Enc.

16 vols. 12mo, $28 50, London, 1779.

Goldsmith's Animated Nature.

Goldsmith composed this work out of Buffon and others, in a manner both amusing and instructive, although the scientific acquirements of the author were not sufficient to guard him against numerous errors.-Enc. Am.

6 vols. 8vo, $15 00, London.

Cuvier's Animal Kingdom.

In this work, the whole subject matter of Zoology is arranged according to the principles of organization, and beginning with man.-Penny Cyc.

1 vol. 8vo, $5 00, London, 1840.