ments, both of which are, at present, lodged in the society's apartments for the inspection of members and their friends.

The thanks of the society were voted te the authors of these communications, and the papers referred to the counsel.

The society acknowledged the reception of several works of importance for their library; of Desaguiliers' PhiJosophy, 3 vol. 4to. from John Pintard, Esq.; of Busby's Lucretius, 2 vol. 4to. in behalf of the author Dr. Busby Mus. Doct. Cantab. by Dr. Hosack, of Milbert's Picturesque Views of the Isle of France, 3 vol. through the hands of Dr. Mitchill; of Essays on the Sallows, Osiers. 1 vol. 8vo. by Dr. Wade of Dublin, through the hands of Dr. Francis.

Resolved, That this Society have received, with the deepest sorrow, the painful intelligence of the death of their revered, and honorary member, the cclebrated American Geographer and Historian-the distinguished friend and wellwisher of the United States, CHRISTOPH DANIEL EBELING, late Professor of History in the Gymnasium of Hamburgh.

Resolved, That we are highly sensible of this bereavement, and deeply deplore the great loss which this country, as well as Society at large, sustains, in the death of so excellent a man.

Resolved, That we hereby express the high and grateful veneration in which the New-York Historical Society hold the memory of the late Professor C. D. Ebeling.

Resolved, That these resolutions be made public, and that a copy thereof be transmitted to the professors in the Gymnasium of Hamburgh.

LYCEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY.

Sitting of August 11.

Dr. Mitchill laid on the table a dissertation in the Latin language, published at Gottingen in 1815. The subject is the anatomy of the marsh-snail, or Limnei Stagnalis; and the author Solomon Stiebel of Frankfort on the Maine. It is dedicated to the Austrian Professor Blu

menbach; and is an excellent example of zootomy.

Dr. Mitchill also placed before the members a copy in the German tongue of the celebrated E. F. F. Chladnis' Essays on Masses of Stone and Iron, fallen to the Earth. It was received from the learned author, illustrated with marginal notes in manuscript. The author first gives the history of metallic stones and iron masses from the days of Livy, Plutarch, and Pliny, those which fell in Daul (India) in 1814; in Langres (France) in 1815, and Glastonbury (England) in 1816. Hethen relates the experiments made to analyze them; showing that they (the iron stones) occasionally contain lead and copper ; and lastly, a collection of oriental authorities concerning atmospheric iron and stone, collected by Professor Gilbert, Mr. Joseph Von Hammer, Subbi Mohamed Effendi, &c.

C. S. Rafinesque, Esq. from the Committee appointed to examine the petrefac tion presented at the last meeting by Mr. Schaeffer, reported that this singular specimen from the Alleghany Mountains, appears to belong to the genus glomeris, of Latreille, in the family of the Myriapoda, along with Julus and Scolopendra, and probably to an unknown and extinct species. This species may be called glomeris Eurycephalus, or broad headed glomeris, and described as follows:Head very broad, granular, eyes large, convex dotted-body with 2 long longitudinal furrows above, and narrow smooth rings-back convex, eleven feet on each side, seven rings in the tail with

out feet.

Mr. Knevels presented a collection of American fresh water shells, chiefly those described by Mr. Say.

A number of fish caught in the Straits of Bahama, were offered in the name of D. Frazer, Surgeon to the U. S. Navy.Several of them were considered as undescribed species.

Sitting of August 18.'

Dr. Mitchill communicated to the Lyceum a specimen of pectinite found in this island, and presented by Mr. Bruce.

Dr. Eddy offered some stalactites brought from a cave in the vicinity of Bennington, Vermont.

Dr. Mitchill presented the bukler of the testudo serpentania or snapper, accompanied by an interesting account of the animal. It was taken at North Hempstead in June last; when alive it weighed 10 pounds. In dressing it for cooking, a steel file, such as is used in sharpening

handsaws, was discovered partly in and partly without the body. The instrument was surrounded by a hard substance of newly formed bony matter on every side, except at the sternum or lower shell, where the sharp end, intended to perforate a wood handle, had worked its way through for about an inch below the belly shell, where it stuck out. The file was corroded almost to smoothness, within the osseous cyst, by a coloured and nasty fluid. The tortoise was apparently in good health and very fat. Judge Singleton Mitchell, from whom the specimen was obtained, supposes the file to have been greased, which induced the animal to swallow it.

Mr. Bunting, from Putnam County, N. Y., presented some fine specimens of Molybdena iron and steel tyle from that neighbourhood.

Dr. Akerly laid before the Society a molliscous animal, taken from the ocean, and presented by Capt. Cahoone of the Revenue Cutter.

Sitting of August 25. Mr. Baudoine presented an unknown insect in the state of Caroa.

Dr. Mitchill presented a stone axe, used by the natives of Shelter Island.

Dr. Mitchill presented, from Dr. Dering, clam shells which had been found in digging a well, at Shelter Island, 40 feet below the surface of the earth, and just before water was reached.

Dr. B. P. Kissam presented several interesting ancient relics, from the ruins of Carthage, Pompeii, &c.

Mr. Baudoine offered specimens from the marl pits of Monmouth, New-Jersey, presented by Dr. Wm. Vandeventer of New-Brunswick.

Dr. S. Akerly read a memoir on the Hirudo gallinacea, a species of leech infesting the trachea of chickens, and causing a disease called the gapes. It is cured by the operation of tracheotomy.

Dr. Mitchill laid on the table a specimen of the liahis spicata from his own garden. It is said to be useful in the colic and gravel.

Dr. Akerly read an account of a rock found in the hill at Corlear's Hook.

Mr. Pierce read a memoir on the geology and mineralogy of Rockland County, &c.

Sitting of Sept. 1. Dr's. Mitchill and Akerly reported that the animal presented by Capt. Cahoone, at a late meeting, was the aphrodita acubeata.

Dr. Mitchill, in behalf of Felix Paschalis, M.D. presented the 1st number of the VAL. I. NO. VI.

19th volume of the Medical Repository. This valuable journal of medicine and natural science was commenced in 1797, and has been regularly continued.

Dr. Mitchill also offered to the consideration of the Lyceum a letter and plant, forwarded by Mr. Elijah Hawley, of Ridgeway, Genesee County, N Y. The vegetable was stated to be a sovereign remedy against the bite of the rattle snake. The same gentleman offered on the same authority a plant capable of drawing a blister equally as well as cantharides.

Dr. Eddy presented from Mr. H. P. Fleischman, through his friend Dr. Spalding, a skin, supposed to be of the anaconda, with some reptiles, &c. from Demarara.

Mr. Clements presented a vespertilis Neo Eboracensis.

Mr. Rafinesque read some observations on the Botany of the South West shores of Long-Island, in which he affirms that he collected there in August last, about 120 species of plants, among which seve ral, such as the Baccharis halimifolia, Ammi capillaceum, Cenchrus tribuloides, &c. were not known to grow so far North, and S6 are new species, omitted in Pursh's Flora of North America. He has besides discovered several new genera of sea-grapes, which he calls Diplocea, Belotropis, Critesia, &c.-He has also observed many new objects of Zoology, particularly a new genus of Fish which he calls Opsanus apalocerus, and six new species which he names Raja biloba, R. latiflima, R. pustulata, R. odaulax, Anguilla blephura, Clupea neglecta.

He afterwards read the Preamble of his Flora of Louisiana, a new work which he is going soon to publish. It includes more than 400 species, of which 196 are new species! and as many as 35 genera are introduced for the first time in the Flora of the United States, of which 50 are new species. Among the new species, there. are not less than 15 new trees, 18 new shrubs, 46 useful economical plants, and more than 50 highly ornamental for gar dens. This work will afford a valuable addition to the knowledge of American plants, and Botany in general.

Sitting of Sept. 8. Dr. S. Akerly read a report on the plant presented, at the last meeting, in the name of Mr. Hawley.

Mr. Clements offered to the inspection of the Society a living specimen of the Lacerta alligator.

Dr. Townsend presented some specimens of the warlike instruments of the Aborigines, found at Flushing, LongSM

Island; also a specimen of steatite from the same place.

Mr. Biglow presented a specimen of natural magnet from Schooley's moun

tain.

Mr. Rafinesque presented specimens

of caterpillars which feed on the Kalmia latifolia, also four insects.

Dr. S. Akerly presented a caterpillar, which feeds upon the weeping willow, in the state both of chrysalis and caroa.

SIR

GREAT BRITAIN.

IR John Sinclair is preparing for the press a Code of Agriculture, compiled from the reports from the different counties of England and Scotland, made to the Board of Agriculture, and from communications received by that Society from individuals. The County reports of England have been published in 47 votumes, 8vo. and those of Scotland in 30 more. The communications form 7 volumes, 4to. The aggregate expense of these publications has amounted to £200,000.

争

Another Encyclopædia is announced, under the title of Encyclopædia Me tropolitana, to form 24 vols. 4to. published in half volumes.

A general History of the Quadrupeds of America, illustrated by coloured plates from original drawings, is preparing for publication.

Memoirs, with a selection from the correspondence and other unpublished writings of Mrs. Elizabeth Hamilton, will shortly appear.

FRANCE.

The Society for Elementary Instruction, lately held a public meeting at the Hotel de Ville of Paris. It appears that the Lancastrian System has made great progress in the capital and provinces during the past year. In Paris there are 15 schools in full activity; one of them has 333 scholars.

GERMANY.

The Medico-chirurgical Gazette, for March and April, 1817, conducted at Salzbury, in Germany, by Dr. John Nepomuck Ehrhart, has been received in New-York.

In this periodical work, which is edited in an able manner, we find short reviews of twenty-four medical dissertations (Latin,) from the University of Vienna. Though some of these are said to be good, yet upon the whole the Reviewer seems to regard with a more favourable eye, Several New-York Inaugural Dissertations. te had received the following:-" On upatorium perfoliatum of Linnæus. 13. By Dr. Anderson."--“ An Essay

แ

on the botanical, chemical, and medical properties of the Fucus edulis of Lin. 1816. By Dr. Griffin."—" On pulmonary Consumption. 1816. By Dr. Delafield”-“ On the influence of the passions in the production and modification of Disease. 1816. By Dr. Townsend."“On Mercury. 1816. By Dr. J. W. Francis."

We notice also summary reviews of "The Journal of Science and the Arts, &c. No. IV. 1817. London ;" and 'Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, for the year 1816. Part I."

We were much pleased to see an excellent review of "Observations on the climate in different parts of America, compared with the climate in corresponding parts of the other continent, &c. 1811. By Dr. Hugh Williamson," our learned fellow-citizen. Of this work the Reviewer speaks in terms of applause, and pronounces the arguments conclusive, with which the author advocates his opinions, especially those which relate to the origi nal population of America.

He introduces the work by saying that "it is highly interesting, abounding in excellent observations and remarks." And concludes by assuring his readers, that this American Work decidedly merits the study of those who take an interest in the History of Man, and of the Earth:

The celebrated Göthe has resigned the management of the Theatre at Weimar, because he would not consent to the appearance of a quadruped performer on that stage, in the Dog of Montargis. PRUSSIA.

In the University of Berlin, there are upwards of one hundred professorships, and lectureships, embracing every branch of literature and the sciences. In this number, the subdivisions are, of course, included.

The most eminent talents are here employed, and this institution is graced by a constellation of some of the most learned men in Germany.

For the use of the professors and stu dents, there are, attached to the Universi

ty, the royal library; a botanical garden, an anatomical museum; a well furnished general Museum, containing specimens in the various departments of natural history, artificial curiosities, &c. &c.

This grand institution appears to be as complete as the present state of human knowledge and means will admit.

The university will be greatly benefited by the very extensive and valuable collection of minerals, which the late Professor Werner, the celebrated geologist, bequeathed to the king of Prussia.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. LECTURES IN THE AMERICAN MUSEUM.

The opportunity which the American Museum affords, of combining amusement with instruction, is about to be improved, for the honour of the institution and the gratification of our citizens. Some of the Societies of the New-York institution have appointed lecturers on different branches of science, and some have discourses occasionally delivered at their meetings-but they are heard only by the scientific gentlemen who compose these societies. We are informed that Mr. Scudder, for the purpose of making his Museum more extensively useful, has engaged a professional gentleman to deliver a course of Lectures on Natural History, in the Museum, during the ensuing season. They will embrace a general view of the animal creation, and the specimens in the Museum will be used in ilJustration of the subjects under discussion. The lectures will be delivered in the evening, two or three times a week, and commence the latter part of October or beginning of November.

From our acquaintance with the gentleman who will deliver the lectures, we feel the assurance of a large audience; and it is to be hoped that Mr. Scudder will reap the full benefit of his exertions and endeavours to please. The large room in the upper apartments of the Museum will be fitted up for the accommodation of attendants upon the lectures.

FLORA NOVANGLICA.

We understand that a Flora of the New-England States, containing a sys-1 tematic and enlarged description of the vegetable productions of this section of our country, has been for some time in preparation, and is now in a state of forwardness. The work will be the joint production of Dr. Bigelow and Francis Boot, Esq. of Boston.

BOWDOIN PRIZE DISSERTATIONS.

The Corporation of Harvard University have this year assigned four premiums

from the Bowdoin funds for prize disser, tations.

To George Otis, A. B. a first premium for a dissertation on "The use and necessity of Revelation."

To George Bancroft, Senior Sophister, a second premium, for a dissertation on the same subject.

To John Everett, Junior Sophister, a first premium, for a dissertation on "The peculiar genius of Shakespeare.”

To John H. Wilkins, Junior Sophister, a second premium for a dissertation on the same subject.

James Eastburn & Co. of New-York, are now preparing for publication, Mandeville, a Novel, by William Godwin; Dictionary of all Religions, by Hannal Adams, 5th edition, newly arranged, and very much enlarged; Sacramental Addresses, by the Rev. Henry Belfrage; Female Scripture Biography, with an Essay on what Christianity has done for Woman. By the Rev. F. A. Cox; The Good Grandmother and her Offspring, by Mrs. Hofland; The Selected Beauties of British Poetry, with Lives of the Poets, and Critical Dissertations. To which is prefixed, an Essay on English Poetry. By Thomas Campbell, Esq. author of “The Pleasures of Hope," &c.

Kirk & Mercein, of New-York, are preparing for the press, and will speedily publish, in one large octavo volume, a new and valuable work, to be entitled, A Geographical and Statistical view of the United States of America, forming a condensed picture of their natural and artificial Boundaries and Productions, their Population, and Political Importance and Relations-together with a Geographical and Statistical View of South America; to which will be added, the Emigrant's Travelling Companion, to the Western Country-the whole to be embellished with two elegant original Maps of the United States and South America, drawn from the latest and best materials extant, projected and engraved expressly for the Work. By William Darby, author of a Statistical Survey and Map of Louisiana.

In press, Placide, a Spanish Tale, from the French of Madame de Genlis; The Balance of Comfort, or the Old Maid and Married Woman, a Novel, by the author of Paired-not Matched; Memoirs of my Literary Life, and Memoirs by S. T. Coleridge, Esq.

Messrs. Kites, of Philadelphia, and Kirk & Mercein, of New-York, have in press, the Memoirs of the Rev Claudius Buchanan, D. D. By the Rev. II. Pearson.

TH

REVIEW.

HE first exhibition of the American Academy of the fine Arts, was perhaps the most impressive and delightful scene of the kind which the western world had enjoyed. All was new, all was brilliant, and much was excellent. The great pictures of Mr. West and his son, the beautiful pictures of Messrs. Stewart, Trumbull, and Smirk, the exquisite Cupid of Mirnard, with many specimens by elder artists, all fresh, and to our eyes adorned in their newest gloss, at once dazzled, delighted and instructed us. The second exhibition gave us again some of the largest and best pictures, and a variety of excellence besides, which was altogether new. But the largest and best pictures were the same as in the first, and these filled the most conspicuous situations; the first coup d'œil had no longer novelty to recommend it, and the public cried out "the second exhibition is not so good as the first," although intrinsically, we believe it was better, The third exhibition is now before us; all is new, much is excellent; but we feel, by their absence, the loss and the value of the large pictures which had by their continued presence satiated us before. "Where is the Lear and Ophelia," is the general cry, after the first impression of novelty on entering the gallery is worn off, and curiosity is satisfied by an examination of the many beautiful and curious specimens of the art now presented.

Although we do not intend to follow the order of the catalogue in our remarks on the pictures of this exhibition, we begin with the portrait of Washington by G. Stewart, because it is the first object which strikes the eye on entering, and because it is unrivalled in excellence.

Mr. Stewart possesses more of the magic of the art than any painter, whose works we are familiar with, but it is a magic which proceeds from a combination of genius and knowledge. He was a favourite pupil of West, and although he adopted a style of pencilling and colouring materially different from his master, he knows and acknowledges his obligations to a man, than whom none ever more liberally encouraged the young and meritorious artist. This picture of the great and beloved Washington is far superior in attitude, composition, colouring and likeness to the one exhibited in this gallery last spring. It is indeed one of the wonders of the art.

This great artist was born in Rhode Island, previous to its becoming a sovereign and independent state, and was early sent to Europe for education. He was several years a student under the direction of West, and had become as early as the year 1784, one of the first portrait painters in England. He returned to his native country about the year 1790, as we believe, and has resided successively in New-York, Philadelphia, Washington and Boston, His last picture, the portrait of Mr. Munroe, is said to evince the full possession of his uncommon powers, and we hope, as the corporation of this city have voted a portrait of the chief magistrate of the Union, they will not neglect the opportunity they now have of procuring one from Stewart.

No. 5. Mademoiselle de Montespan and Cupid. Mignard. Our readers will remember the beautiful sleeping Cupid which was one of the principal ornaments of the first exhibition painted by this master. The picture before us is the portrait of a beautiful woman, who is following, though with hesitation, a boy with a torch. The colouring and finish are admirable, though injured by time and ignorance. The picture has originally been oval, probably to suit the architectural arrangement of some palace. It has been increased to a parallelogram by the addition of corners, painted by an inferior hand. This trick, by extending a piece of light-coloured drapery too far, injures the grace of the figure. It is, however, an admirable specimen of the art. Pierre Mignard was born at Troyes in Champaigne, in 1610, and died in Paris in 1694. He studied at Rome, and resided there many years painting history, and is particularly celebrated for his figures of the Virgin. At the court of Lewis the 14th, he was a favourite of the monarch, and of course fortune's favourite; he was the friend of Boileau, Racine, Moliere, and La Fontaine. He painted the king's portrait 10 times, and as a matter of course, every courtier, male and female, sat to Mignard. He ornamented several of the public buildings of Paris with historical or allegorical subjects.

No. 22. Hagar, the Angel, and Ishmael in the Desert. Trevisani. This is a painting of uncommon merit. The drawing, grouping and expression are all admirable.

No. 45. A crucifixion with a great number of figures. Bertholet Flamael