experiment. On the east side of the summit of this mountain is a wide ravine, beginning towards the middle of the basaltic platform.

"This ravine," says the author," has probably been produced by the long continued action of the waters which run in that direction; or it is very possible that such a hollow may have existed in the body of the mountain when the basalt was deposited, and that this substance may have moulded itself into it. The Vulcan

ists find in this appearance the vestiges of

a crater."

The term Vulcanists has been used by the translator instead of volcanists. It is not improbable, however, that some of the former might, after a careful inspection, find this hollow place well deserving of attention.

The fourth note is taken up with what the Wernerians call the passage of clay into wacke, and of the latter into basalt. This, we apprehend, would be arranged for explanation in a reverse order by a Huttonian. He would say that the heat of the basalt, when it came, in a state of fusion, into contact with the clay, indurated the surface to such a degree, as to make it nearly resemble basalt; and as the heat was less farther down, the clay was converted into wacke; while the lower part of the bed remained as it was, or else was so little affected, that moisture could soon reduce it again to the state of clay, as it does perfect wacke, and even basalt itself. On this subject, as it relates to Scotland, we have a note by the translator, into which he introduces a compliment to Professor Jameson, and lays before us a description of part of Fifeshire, to which the Professor annually carries his pupils, in order to exhibit the reality of what he has previously taught them. Such a practice is exceedingly worthy of praise. When a teacher faithfully describes facts, without any allusion to theory, and instructs his pupils to distinguish the objects of their study, without dictating any fanciful ideas respecting their mode of formation, he does all that is required of him.

In the note entitled, Answers to Objections, it is stated that it does not follow because a solution covers the whole earth, the precipitate or deposition from it should be universal. This is one of those shifts to which

the pupils of Werner are frequently driven, to accommodate his theory to facts. The reasons on which the above assertion is founded present so curious an example of that degree of complication and inconsistency, which has been said to characterize the speculations of the great German geognost, that we shall quote them.

1. The solution may very well be supposed not to have contained, at the same time, and throughout its whole extent, the same constituent parts; or not to have contained them every where in the same proportions. Indeed, it is known, that, at the present day, the sea, in different latitudes, does not hold the same substance in solution, at least in the same quantity.

"2. Local causes, such as a subtraction of caloric, or the presence of certain precipitants, may have affected only particular position in one place, while there was none parts of the solution, and produced a dein another.

"3. These causes acting differently in different situations, may have favoured the union of particular constituent parts in certain proportions, while, at a distance, these may have been formed, from the same elements, a combination of a nature considerably different. For instance, it is quite possible that, from the same general solution which deposited the basalt of Saxony, may have been precipitated, in America, the extensive tracts of porphyry-slate observed by M. Humboldt, and which, according to the analysis of Klaproth and the geognostic observations of Werner, is nearly related to basalt.

"4. In the vast sea, or general solution alluded to, there must necessarily have been currents and agitated parts, while other portions remained in a state of calm more or less perfect. Hence another evident cause of difference in the nature of the precipitate. In a calm situation, greentime that basalt was precipitated from a stone may have been forming at the same place subject to agitation. In the same way, in the production of calcareous rocks, a granular limestone may have resulted when the solution was sufficiently tranquil to permit crystallization; while compact limestone was produced from the agitated waters. It has been already remarked, that greenstone bears the same relation to basalt, which granular limestone bears to limestone that is compact.

5. The currents and motions alluded to may have obstructed precipitation in one place, and favoured it in another; they may, in some countries, have washed away the various sediments shortly after their deposition, and may have heaped them together in other places."

We may reasonably expect, that these hints of his pupil will set Werner's disciples to the construction of a geographical chart, on which will be delineated, with correct chronological notices, every spot on which a storm raged during the different epochs of his solutions. This, to a man of science, will be as interesting, perhaps, as the cross swords and trumpets, which denote on common maps where battles have been fought, are to a inilitary veteran, who bled in the contests. The time may come, when the now beardless geognost will, with spectacles on his nose, and wrinkles on his brow, pore with chuckling satisfaction over the battles of the elements, admiring the consummate skill of the great commander who directed all the manœuvres.

It is in vain, we know, to ask, how was this great solution, and how were multitudes of other solutions, formed: for we should only get an answer similar to one given a little below the passages just quoted, to an inquiry how the rocks, after having been once formed, were destroyed?" Without directly answering this question," says our author, "it is sufficient for my purpose to be able to state, that so stands the fact."

Of the remaining notes, we think it necessary to notice only one more, as it conveys from Professor Jameson, through Daubuisson, a flat contradiction of what the former has published, and, as far as we know, continues to teach, and what has been asserted by the latter more than once in the course of his work. In the note marked 0, we find, after an allusion to the experiment of Sir James Hall, this sentence: "Professor Jameson informs me that he found no difficulty in distinguishing the specimens of melted basalt from real lavas." Now, we have been told by the Professor, that lava is nothing more than melted basalt; and were this true, there should have been no distinction between the specimens.

We strongly recommend the perusal of this volume to every Huttonian, and to all who are disposed to be in haste to form geological theories. It is well translated; and in this respect greatly excels the work of Von Buch on Norway. Lest, however, any mistake respecting our own geological opinions should arise, we think

it right to state, that we do not subscribe to every part of the Huttonian theory. We are fully disposed to allow both heat and water to have had their share in the work; and we may hereafter have some opportunity of laying before our readers our opinion of the Huttonian theory. At present we may announce, that we have heard of great alterations having taken place in the opinions of geologists on both sides, since the work before us was published; and of which we have taken notice at this late period, because we are of opinion that it is a work well calculated to exhibit to the student the uncertainty that obtains in the study of geology; and the caution that is necessary in the examination of facts before any inference is drawn.

VOYAGE TO COREA AND THE ISLAND
OF LOO-CHOO. •

AMONG the results of the late embassy to China, none have equalled in interest those afforded by the return voyage of the Alceste and Lyra. Their visit to the coasts of Corea and Loochoo brought into view countries either unknown or long forgotten by Europeans, and which presented such peculiarities, both of moral and physical aspect, as to render them an object of particular curiosity. Fortunately these scenes were observed by an intelligent and distinguished young officer, who with nautical skill combined a love of and proficiency in science, in him hereditary, but which are rarely found in the votaries of this active profession. To this he added, in an eminent degree, the talent of observing and painting mankind,-a quality, perhaps, still rarer, but which is of equal importance to the task in which he was engaged. To these circumstances we are indebted for the narrative of this voyage by Captain Basil Hall, son to the distinguished President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh,- -a work which has been fully appreciated by the higher classes of readers. As a great part of the volume, however, was composed of

Our readers must also be pleased with the account of an entertainment given by Captain (now Sir Murray) Maxwell to those chiefs with whom their intercourse had been most frequent.

"A grand entertainment was given today by Captain Maxwell to the chiefs Ookooma, Shayoon, Issacha Sandoo, Jeema, and Issacha Hackeeboocoo; Jeeroo was also invited to it, but did not attend; being the junior, he was probably left in charge of the beach and store-rooms. Maddera also made one of the party, though not originally included in the invitation. As he had never laid any claim to an equality in rank with the chiefs, it was not thought right to invite him along with them; but Maddera, who probably knew that he would be right welcome, took care to put himself in Captain Maxwell's way just before dinner, when he was easily pre vailed upon to remain..

"Dinner was served at five o'clock, in as sumptuous a style as possible. Ookooma, the principal chief, was placed on Captain Maxwell's right, and Shayoon on his left; I sat beside the former, and Mr Clifford next to the other; then came the two chiefs next in rank, and beside them two of the officers of the ship: the first lieutenant, Mr Hickman, sat at the foot of the table, with Hackeeboocoo on his right, and Maddera on his left. They were all in high spirits, and eat and drank freely; and though they complained of the size of the glasses, and of the strength of the wines, tasted every thing from punch to champagne: the briskness of the last, indeed, surprised them not a little, and effectually muddled two of them for some time. Cheese was the only thing they all objected to, probably on account of its being made of milk, which they never taste. The interpreter not being present, the conversation was carried on through Mr Clifford and Maddera, partly by signs, and partly by a mixture of English and Loo-choo; but whether intelligibly or not, every body was talking. Maddera had dined so often on board the ships, that he was quite perfect in our customs; and upon this occasion took great charge of the chiefs at his end of the table, speaking sometimes in one language and sometimes in the other. Observing Jeema eating ham without mustard, he called to Captain Maxwell's servant, and pointing to Jeema, said, Tom, take mustard to him.' When the dessert was put on table, and the wine decanters ranged in a line, they exclaimed in astonishment, Moo eeyroo noo sackee,' six kinds or colours of wine; but the sweetmeats and prepared confectionary pleased them most of all.

"After sitting about an hour and a

half after dinner, and drinking with tolerable spirit, they rose to depart; but this they were not allowed to do, and they were informed that it was the English custom to sit a much longer time. They represented that the sun had set, and they would never be able to find their way on shore, but would all be drowned in attempting it. This alarming difficulty was easily ob viated by a promise of the barge, and they sat down again. While this discussion was going on between Captain Maxwell and his guests, Maddera kept his seat, and looked about him in his keen observant way, to discover if he could, what was likely to be the issue of this adventure. Having observed that in general we were anxious to keep our company as long at table as we could, he naturally enough thought that we would not let this opportunity pass of entertaining the chiefs according to our peculiar fashion. He ap peared to have settled this question with himself just as the chiefs resumed their seats, for rising half off his chair, and with a mixture of archness and simplicity, as if he had just made an amusing discovery, cried out in English, When all drunk then go ashore!" Though Maddera, as will be seen, was not quite right in his guess, there was enough of truth in his remark to raise a general laugh among those who understood him; and he joined in this laugh at his own joke so heartily, that it was some time before he could explain to the chiefs what he had said; they, being in a tolerably merry humour themselves, received it in perfectly good part, though their mirth was evidently dashed by a little apprehension of the fate which Maddera had anticipated for them.

"The health of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent was then drunk in a bumper, all the company standing in the most respectful manner. This was followed by the health of the King of Loo-choo, which was drunk with similar observances. On sitting down after the latter toast, the chiefs conferred with one another a few minutes across the table, and then all rose to propose Captain Maxwell's health; their wishes being explained by Maddera. When they sat down, Captain Maxwell proposed the health of Ookooma and the other chiefs, but when we in turn stood up to drink this toast, they rose likewise; nor was it till a good deal of persuasion had been used, that they consented to be seated while we were standing.

"These four bumpers made all the party very merry, and it was now intimated to them, that as all the usual formalities had been observed, they might drink as much or as little as they pleased. They then lighted their pipes at Captain Maxwell's request, laughed, joked, and seemed so happy, that it was agreed on all hands,

1

1