Select Books on Natural History

Goldsmith's History of the Earth and Animated Nature—with numerous notes from the works of the most distinguished British and foreign naturalists, embodying the most recent discoveries in natural history—illustrated by nearly 2000 figures, in 2 vols., royal 8vo., edited by Mr. Whitelaw, and published by Blackie & Son.—This edition of Goldsmith is unquestionably the most complete that has yet appeared. It contains nearly double the quantity of matter in the original work, and an account of the latest discoveries down to the period of its publication in 1840.—The Gallery of Nature and Art, by Dr. Mason Good and others, 6 vols., 8vo.—Spectacle de la Nature, or Nature Displayed, 7 vols., 12mo.—Nature Displayed, by Dr. Simeon Shaw, 3 vols., 8vo., or in 6 vols., 12mo. This work, though chiefly a compilation, embodies a great variety of interesting and popular descriptions of the most remarkable facts in the system of nature, which are illustrated with numerous engravings, both plain and colored. Clarke's Hundred Wonders of the World, 1 vol., 12mo., and Platt's Book of Curiosities, contain a number of interesting selections on this subject.—Smellie's Philosophy of Natural History, 2 vols., 4to., and his translation of Buffon's Natural History.—Bingley's Animal Biography, 4 vols., 8vo.—Works entitled “Systems” and “Elements” of “Natural History,” are numerous; but the greater part of them is confined to descriptions of the forms, habits, and instincts of animals. On this department of natural science, a work was published some time ago by the celebrated Cuvier, entitled The Animal Kingdom, with engravings chiefly from the living subjects in the museum of natural history at Paris.—A work on the same subject has been publishing for several years past, in 12mo. vols., entitled The Naturalist's Library, by Sir W. Jardine. Every volume contains about 34 plates, with the figures colored from nature, along with a biographical sketch, and a portrait of some eminent naturalist or philosopher. About 40 vols. have already been published, price 6s. each.—A Popular and Comprehensive History of the facts which have been ascertained respecting the earth, the atmosphere, the meteors, the heavens, etc., calculated for general readers, and interspersed with appropriate moral and religious reflections, is still a desideratum. The facts of natural history, next to the facts recorded in the sacred volume, are the first subjects to which the minds of the young should be directed in the course of a general education.

Select Books on Geography

Pinkerton's Modern Geography, 2 vols., 4to., and the Abridgment, 1 vol., 8vo.—The Glasgow Geography, in 5 vols., 8vo. This work comprehends an immense mass of information on the historical and descriptive parts of geography. It also contains comprehensive compends of astronomy, geology, meteorology, etc.—Malte Brun's page 158 System of Geography, 7 vols., 8vo. The English translation of this work contains the fullest and most comprehensive view of universal geography that has yet appeared in our language, including details of the most recent discoveries. The first volume contains a luminous and comprehensive outline of the science of geology and physical and mathematical geography.—Murray's Encyclopedia of Geography, 1 vol., 8vo. This work contains a great mass of information on the subjects connected with geography, and numerous engravings.—Woodbridge's System of Universal Geography, with maps and numerous engravings. —Bell's Geography.—Myer's System of Modern Geography, with maps, views, engravings representing costumes, etc., 2 large vols., 4to.—Cooke's System of Universal Geography, in 2 very large 4to. volumes, closely printed, contains a great variety of interesting sketches in relation to descriptive geography, extracted from the writings of modern voyagers and travelers; the details of incidents, etc., being related, for the most part, in the words of the respective authors from whom the information is collected.—Winterbotham's Geographical and Historical View of the United States of America, etc., 4 vols., 8vo.—Morse's American Geography, 8vo.—Goldsmith's Geography on a popular plan, contains an interesting account of the manners and customs of nations, for the entertainment and instruction of the young, illustrated with above 60 engravings. Of smaller systems, there is a great abundance in the English language; but most of them are extremely deficient, particularly in what relates to general geography.—On sacred geography, Well's Geography, modernized by the Editor of Calmet's Dictionary, is the most complete work of its kind. On physical or general geography: Playfair's System of Geography, vol. I, and Varenius's General Geography. A modern system of general geography, in a separate form, on the plan of Varenius, is a desideratum.—Edin. Encyc., Art. Geography.—Encyc. Brit., 7th edition, Art. Physical Geography, etc. Books of Voyages and Travels generally contain the most circumstantial details of the physical aspects of the different countries, and of the dispositions and customs of their inhabitants; and present to the view of the Christian philanthropist those facts and principles from which the moral state and character of the various tribes of human beings may be inferred. The following works contain comprehensive abridgments of the most celebrated voyages and travels:—Pinkerton's General Collection of Voyages and Travels in all parts of the World, 17 vols., 4to.—Mavor's Voyages, etc., 28 vols., 18mo.—The World Displayed 18 vols., 18mo.—Phillips's Collection of Voyages and Travels, etc.—Conder's Modern Traveler, 20 vols.

The following are among the most respectable modern publications on this subject, arranged according to the different quarters of the world:—Asia. Valencia's Travels in India, Arabia, etc.—Porter's Travels in Georgia, Armenia, etc.—Golownin's Travels in Japan.—Staunton's Account of Macartney's Embassy to China.—Raffles’ Travels in Java.—Clarke's Travels in Asia Minor and the Holy Land.—Chateaubriand's Travels in Palestine.—Ali Bey's Travels in Arabia.—Sir Alexander Burness's Travels in India, etc.—Stephens’ Incidents of Travel in Egypt, Arabia Petrea, and the Holy Land.—Morier's Travels through Persia.—Historical and Descriptive Account of British India, 3 vols.—Historical and Descriptive Account of China, 3 vols.—Crichton's History of Arabia.—Frazer's Account of Persia.—Russell's Palestine, etc.—Africa. Lyon's Travels in Northern Africa.—Burckhardt's Travels in Nubia.—Bruce's Travels in Abyssinia.—Salt's Travels in Abyssinia.—Bowditch's, Hutton's, and Dupuis's Account of Ashantee.—Park's and Lander's Travels in Africa.—Leigh's Journey in Egypt.—Belzoni's Travels in Egypt.—Sonini's Travels in Egypt.—Barrow's, Burchell's, and Campbell's Travels in Southern Africa.—Russell's Account of Nubia, Abyssinia, and the Barbary States, and View of Ancient and Modern Egypt.—Narrative of Discovery and Adventure in Africa, with Illustrations of the Geology, Mineralogy, and Zoology, etc.—America. Howison's Sketches of Upper Canada.—Stewart's Three Years in America.—Tytler's Views of the Northern Coast of America.—Humboldt's Travels.—Duncan's Travels in the United States.—Miss Martineau's Society in America.—Buckingham's Travels in the United States of America.—Luccock's, Vidal's, Koster's, and Hall's Travels in South America, etc.—Europe. Henderson's and Mackenzie's Travels in Iceland.—Thomson's Travels in Sweden.—Carr's Travels in Russia, Denmark, etc.—Pallas's Travels in Russia.—Wraxall's, Neale's, Coxe's, and Lemaistre's Tours through France, Switzerland, Germany, etc.—Burgoing's and Jacob's Travels in Spain.—Brydon's Tour, etc.—Von Buck's Travels in Norway and Lapland.—Cochrane's Travels in Siberia, etc.—Cooke's, Anson's, Byron's, Perouse's, and Bouganville's Voyages round the World, etc.—Prior's Universal Traveler, 1 thick vol., 12mo., closely printed, with 100 engravings.

Select Books on Geology

Kirwin's Mineralogy, and his Geological Essays.—De Luc's Geology, and his Geological Travels.—Parkinson's Organic Remains of a former world, 3 vols., 4to.—The Fossils of the South Downs, or Illustrations of the Geology of Sussex, by G. Mantel, F.L.S.—The preliminary Essay to this splendid Work contains several excellent remarks respecting the connection of Geology with Religion, which are calculated to advance the interests of both.—Cuvier's Essay on the theory of the Earth, with Illustrations by Professor Jamieson, 4th edition.—Playfair's Illustrations of the Huttonian Theory of the Earth.—Transactions of the Geological and Wernerian Societies.—Dr. P. Smith's Lectures on Geology as connected with Revelation.—Dr. Hitchcock's Treatise on Geology—his Connection between Geology and Natural Religion—and his Connection between Geology and the Mosaic Account of the Creation.—Lyell's Geology.—Buckland and Babbage's Bridgewater Treatises.—Macculloch's System of Geology.—Hugh Miller's Old Red Sandstone.—Buckland's Account of the discovery of a Den of Hyenas in a cavern in Yorkshire.—Buckland's Treatise on Geology, 2 vols., 8vo.—Bakewell's Introduction to Geology.—Phillips's Outlines of Mineralogy and Geology, 12mo.—This last work forms a good introduction to the study of Geology, for those who are just commencing their inquiries on this subject. The object of this science, in the meantime, should be confined chiefly to the collecting of facts, in reference to the structure of the earth and the changes it has undergone. The exterior aspect of our globe, and its internal recesses, must be still more extensively explored, before any theory of the earth can be established on a broad and solid foundation. It should be left to future age to build a system with the materials we are now preparing.

Popular Works on Astronomy

Brewster's Ferguson's Astronomy, 2 vols., 8vo., with a vol. of plates. The notes and supplementary chapters of this work, written by Sir D. Brewster, contain a full and comprehensive detail of all the modern discoveries in this science.—Bonnycastle's Introduction to Astronomy, 1 vol., 8vo.—La Place's System of the World, 2 vols., 8vo.—Dr. Olinthus Gregory's Astronomy, 1 vol., 8vo.—Mrs. Bryan's System of Astronomy, 8vo.—Adams’ Astronomical and Geographical Essays, 8vo.—Phillips's Eight Familiar Lectures on Astronomy, 12mo.–Herschel's Astronomy.–Squire's Grammar of Astronomy, one thick vol. 18mo., closely printed, and illustrated with 35 plates.—Arago's Lectures on Astronomy.—The Wonders of the Heavens, 12mo.—This work contains a popular view of the principal facts of Astronomy, and is illustrated with 50 elegant engravings of a variety of interesting objects connected with the scenery of the heavens; but its discussions are too frequently blended with the peculiarities of a modern physical theory.—Martin's Gentleman and Lady's Philosophy, vol. 1.—Derham's Astro-Theology, and Whiston's Astronomical Principles of Religion, 8vo.—Baxter's Matho, 2 vols., etc.—An elegant and comprehensive outline of the leading facts of Astronomy in their relation to Revealed Religion, will be found in Dr. Chalmers's Discourses on the Christian Revelation, viewed in connection with Modern Astronomy, 8vo.—The general reader, in commencing his study of this science, will find Bonnycastle's “Introduction” a very interesting work. It is written in an elegant and animated style, and is agreeably interspersed with a number of appropriate reflections; but it is deficient in the detail of modern discoveries. He might next proceed to the perusal of Ferguson, Gregory, Squire, etc.—La Place's work contains a beautiful exposition of the Newtonian system; but it is glaringly deficient in reference to the Wisdom and Agency of a Supreme Intelligence. “An undevout astronomer is mad.” Baxter's Matho contains a popular and interesting view of this subject, and forms a striking contrast to the apathy of La Place, who carefully keeps out of view the agency of the Creator—the main design of this author being to connect the phenomena of the heavens and the earth with the attributes of Deity, and the high destination of immortal minds. Though this work passed through three editions, it does not seem to have been appreciated according to its merits. As it has now become scarce, a new edition with notes, containing a detail of modern discoveries, might be an acceptable present to the public. Those who wish to prosecute this subject to a greater extent, may be referred to Long's Astronomy, 2 vols., 4to.— Robison's Mechanical Philosophy, vol. 1.—Dr. Pearson's Introduction to Practical Astronomy, comprising descriptions of Telescopes, Equatorials, Quadrants, and other astronomical instruments, 2 large vols., 4to., with numerous engravings of instruments.—Vince's complete System of Astronomy, 3 vols., 4to.—La Lande Astronomie, 3 vols., 4to—and Biot's Traitie Elémentaire d’ Astronomie Physique. A comprehensive work on Descriptive Astronomy, detailing in a popular manner, all the facts which have been ascertained respecting the scenery of the heavens, accompanied with a variety of striking delineations, and interspersed with appropriate moral reflections, accommodated to the general reader, is a desideratum which we trust will be in some measure supplied by the two volumes we lately published, entitled “Celestial Scenery,” and the “Sidereal Heavens,” which have already passed through several editions, and have been republished in different parts of America.

Select Books on Natural Philosophy

Hauy's Elementary Treatise on Natural Philosophy, translated by Dr. O. Gregory, 2 vols., 8vo. This translation contains a number of valuable notes by the translator.—Ferguson's Lectures on Select subjects in Mechanics, etc., by Sir D. Brewster, 2 vols., 8vo., with a vol. of plates. The Appendix to this work, by Sir D. Brewster, contains a mass of valuable information on Mechanics, Hydraulics, Dialing, and the construction of Optical Instruments; beside a variety of illustrative notes interspersed through the wo[gap — reason: unclear] which comprises a detailed account of the recent discoveries in Experimental Philosophy.—Nicholson's Introduction to Natural Philosophy, 2 vols., 8vo.—Cavallo's Complete Treatise on Natural and Experimental Philosophy, 4 vols., 8vo.— Martin's Philosophia Britannica, 3 vols., 8vo.; his Gentleman and Lady's Philosophy; 3 vols., 8vo.; and his Philosophical Grammar, 1 vol., 8vo.—Herschel's Preliminary Discourses on the study of Natural Philosophy.—Lardner's Hydrostatics, Mechanics, and Pneumatics.—Professor Quetelet's Facts, Laws, and Phenomena of Natural Philosophy.—Partington's Manual of Natural and Experimental Philosophy, 2 vols., 8vo.—Sir D Brewster's Treatise on Optics.—Smith's Complete System of Optics, 2 vols., 4to., with 93 plates, containing 941 figures, 1738.—Arnot's Elements of Physics, 2 vols., 8vo.—Gregory's Economy of Nature, 3 vols, 8vo.; and his Lectures on Experimental Philosophy, Astronomy, and Chemistry, 2 vols., 12mo.—Joyce's Letters on Experimental Philosophy, 2 vols., 12mo.; and his Scientific Dialogues, 18mo.—Adams’ Lectures on Natural and Experimental Philosophy, 4 vols., 8vo., with a vol. of plates.—Young's Lectures on Natural Philosophy, 2 vols., 8vo.—Walker's System of familiar Philosophy, 4to., in 12 lectures, with 47 4to. engravings.—Conversations on Natural Philosophy by the author of Conversations on Chemistry, one thick vol., 12mo., with 23 engravings.—Blair's Grammar of Natural Experimental Philosophy, especially the late editions, contains (at a small price), a comprehensive view of the principal departments of Philosophy, including Astronomy, Geology, Chemistry, Meteorology, etc.—Euler's Letters to a German Princess, 2 vols., 8vo., contains a popular view of the most interesting subjects connected with Natural and Experimental Philosophy, Logic, and Ethics. This work is distinguished by a vein of dignified and scriptural piety, which runs through every part of it. Euler was one of the most distinguished Philosophers and Mathematicians of his day. He died in 1783, at the age of 77. An edition of this work, containing notes by Sir D. Brewster, has been published. These notes are excellent, so far as they extend; but it is to be regretted that they are so sparingly distributed, and that the passages suppressed by M. Condorcet and De la Croix, which were restored by Dr. Hunter, who translated the work, and the notes of the French and English editors, are for the most part discarded. As a work of general information in elation to the physical sciences and other useful departments of knowledge, Chambers's Information for the People may be recommended to common readers, as a very useful and comprehensive compend of Science, History, Civil and Natural Geography, Ve- page 160 getable and Animal Physiology, Chemistry, Electricity, Magnetism, etc. It is the cheapest book that has hitherto been published, when we consider the quantity of letter-press, and the vast mass of information it contains.

Notwithstanding the numerous excellent treatises which are to be found on this subject, a comprehensive work on experimental Philosophy, blended with sketches of those parts of natural history which are connected with it, and enlivened with appropriate reflections on the peculiar agencies of Deity, which appear in the various processes of nature—is still wanting to interest the general reader, and to attract his attention to this department of knowledge. Were philosophers, in their discussions of natural science, more frequently to advert to the agency of the Deity, and to point out the Religious and Philanthropic purposes to which modern discoveries might be applied, they might be the means of promoting, at the same time, the interests both of science and religion, by alluring general readers to direct their attention to such objects, and by removing those groundless prejudices which a great proportion of the Christian world still entertain against philosophical studies. About the period when Boyle, Ray, Derham, Nieuwentyt, Whiston, Addison, the Abbe Pluché, and other Christian philosophers flourished, more attention seems to have been paid to this subject than at present. Since the middle of the last century, the piety of philosophers appears to have been greatly on the decline. It is to be hoped that it is now beginning to experience a revival. But whatever may be the varying sentiments and feelings of mere philosophers, in reference to the agencies of the material system, “all the works of God invariably speak of their Author,” to the humble and enlightened Christian; and if he be directed to contemplate the order of nature with an eye of intelligence, he will never be at a loss to trace the footsteps and the attributes of his Father and his God.

Select Books on Chemistry

Davy's Elements of Chemical Philosophy, 8vo.—Ure's Dictionary of Chemistry, on the basis of Mr. Nicholson's, 1 large vol., 8vo.—Henry's Epitome of Chemistry, 2 vols., 8vo.—Accum's Chemistry, 2 vols., 8vo.—Thomson's System of Chemistry, 4 vols., 8vo.—Murray's System of Chemistry, 4 vols., 8vo., and Appendix.—Kerr's Translation of Lavoisier's Elements of Chemistry, 8vo.—Chaptal's Chemistry applied to the Arts, 4 vols., 8vo.—Fourcroy's Chemistry, 4 vols.—Accum's Chemical Amusements, and Griffin's Chemical Recreations, contain a description of a variety of interesting chemical facts, and amusing experiments.—Gurney's Lectures on the Elements of Chemical Science, 8vo.—Mackenzie's One Thousand Experiments in Chemistry, etc.—Mitchell's Dictionary of Chemistry.—Graham's Chemical Catechism.—Donovan's Treatise on Chemistry, in Lardner's Cyclopedia.—Turner's Chemistry.—Conversations on Chemistry, by a Lady, 2 vols., 12mo.—Joyce's Dialogues on Chemistry, 2 vols., 18mo.—Parke's Rudiments, 18mo, and his Chemical Catechism, 8vo. The four works last mentioned may be recommended as popular introductions to the study of this science.— Parke's Rudiments and Catechism are distinguished by their constant reference to the agency of the Deity, and by the anxiety which the author displays to fix the attention of his readers on the evidences of benevolent design which appear in the constitution of nature. The numerous notes appended to the Chemical Catechism embody a great variety of interesting facts in reference to the economy of nature, and the processes of the arts. To this amiable and intelligent writer I feel indebted for several of the chemical facts stated in this volume.

As the science of Chemistry is making rapid progress in its investigations and discoveries—the latest editions of the works referred to, and all others on the same subject, are generally to be preferred. The same remark is applicable to almost all the works connected with the physical sciences. But, with the exception of new discoveries, many of the works published twenty or thirty years ago, are worthy of being consulted, and are, in some respects, superior to more recent publications. There are some works, on different branches of natural science, published nearly a century ago, which give more full and clear descriptions of certain scientific facts than are to be found in many of our modern publications: and therefore such works ought not to be considered as altogether obsolete. It is of some importance to the student of science to be possessed of several treatises on the same subject; as certain principles or facts which may be vaguely stated, or imperfectly explained by one author, may be more fully and clearly elucidated by another