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grows only in warm countries and not in tions on the stations and extension of plants. the polar regions. If we take marsh plants We subjoin an extract from this part:from their natural habitat and put them into our gardens, we see that they do not thrive "Botanical geography, merely as a sciunless they are placed in a marshy soil re-ence, would doubtless be highly interestsembling that which nature has assigned ing to the learned and to all well-educated them. Other plants which nature has des- persons, but its application to practical life gives it a far greater value. When a tined to grow in the deepest shade, grow sufficient number of meteorological obluxuriantly in our gardens, if we place them servations shall have been made on the in similar situations. But the laws of na most diverse parts of the earth's surface, ture are inexplicable to us, according to so that we may have an accurate knowwhich certain plants can grow only in hot ledge of the Isothermal,* Isotheral, and countries, others in cool shade, and others Isochimenal lines in their whole course, again only in marshy soil; equally inexpli- we shall be able positively to determine, a cable to us are the causes from which the priori, whether a plant can be transplanted from its natural station to another gvarious groups of plants predominate in difven one, or whether this attempt would ferent parts of the globe, and are often con- be fruitless; a subject which is evidently fined to nariow and very defined limits. of great importance. We are most espeThus we see the many forms of Cactus cially deficient in a knowledge of the grow in the warmer parts of the temperate mean temperatures at great elevations on and in the torrid zone of America, but we extensive mountain chains, in order to also see these plants ascend in that continent determine what plants may be made to the high mountains, and there grow in a of this is evident, and I will adduce only grow in those countries. The importance climate resembling that of the Alpine region one example. The great tracts of the of our Lapland, though we do not find in plain of Chequito, round the mountain the latter country a single plant of that ex- lake of Titicaca, is very populous, and traordinary form. numerous fine towns have been built at that great elevation. But wood is wanting in that country, where an eternal spring prevails, where the fertility of the soil and ample stores of mineral riches might contribute to the happiness of man. We have indeed no notices whatever of the mean temperature in those parts at an elevation of 12,700 feet, but, from the few observations which I myself made on the spot, and some others of Messrs. Pentland and Rivero, it might be inferred that flourish. What vast advantage must the the fir, the birch, and the alder would introduction of great woods bring to those countries where now every stick, every stem, every board, is among the riches of a family; where the fisherman is obliged to trust himself to the stormy lake in a miserable boat made of rushes woven together!"

The preceding extracts are taken from the introductory pages of the work, which is divided into a few general heads as follows:

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First section, "On the circumstances of climate as the causes of the production and propagation of plants." In this section the author treats of the influence of the winds and hydrometeors against the regular distribution of warmth, on the mean heat of place, on its influence on the vegetation; on the elevation of the line of vegetation in different latitudes, which, in general, coincides with the line of eternal snow; of the influence of the warmth of the soil on the vegetation; of the warmth in spring on which the development of the leaves and flowers depends; effect of the moisture of the atmosphere and the earth on the existence of plants; on the effects of the currents in the air and water in distributing plants over different regions, &c. Second, "On the circumstances by which the soil influences the production and propagation of Dr. Meyen treats, 1st. Of aquatic plants." plants, under the heads of marine plants, fresh water plants, subaqueous plants (submersæ), floating plants (liberæ or natantes). lake plants (lacustres), &c. &c. 2d. Sand plants likewise under several heads, according to the influence of the soil in respect to its geological composition, its aggregate character, its nature, its state of cultivation. meaning lines of equal mean winter temperature. *Terms introduced by A. von Humboldt, To this section are added further observa-|—L.

The third section treats "Of the distribuwith especial regard to the physiognomy of tion of plants on the surface of the earth,

nature."

We regret that our limits will not allow us to make such extracts from this but there is one point on which it may be part of the work as we should wish to do, proper to state Dr. Meyen's opinion. the conclusion of his first section he indicates, nearly in the same terms as preceding writers, the share that the winds, and wa

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ters, and currents, have in the distribution of | been made, especially in this country, plants, by conveying the seeds to remote re- have proved incontestibly that nature is gions of the globe; but in this third section still able to create as well imperfect anihe saysmals as lower plants, without eggs and seeds; only organic matter, water and air, the indispispensable conditions of all animal formation, are required to call into existence, with sufficient warmth the organic conformation. If these inferior creatures are once called into existence, they propagate themselves by egg or seed, till in the end they again vanish, when the external circumstances which called them into being are withdrawn. It has long been placed beyond all reasonable doubt, that intestinal worms may be produced without eggs, and the accurate numerous observations of modern times respecting the occurrence of worms in the innermost parts of the eyes, as well of men as animals, are too positive to be contested by hypothesis however ingenious. This is not to defend anew the doctrine of generatio originaria. The opponeuts of this doctrine have always alleged the flying about in the air of the sporules of fungi, wherever the production of fungi in inclosed receptacles has been spoken of; but not to mention that this assertion is not founded on observation, for nobody has ever seen these sporules flying about, though they are large enough, we now reject all such objections, since M. Detrochet has discovered that the formation of filamentous fungi may be induced, accelerated and stopped by chemical substances.—¡Observati_ns sur l'Origine des Mrissures.-Annal. des Sciences Nat. 1834, tom. i. 30-38.)"

"If we take as proved what is intima. ted in the preceding observations, that, with the increasing warmth on the earth's surface, not only the number of species but the number of individual plants, become more apparent, we shall recognize herein one of the laws by which creative nature has distributed the whole mass of plants over the surface of the earth. These simple results alone might oppose all ideas of the diffusion of organic beings by migration. There is, however, a multitude of other facts which cannot possibly be explained by the migration of plants. The Phelim Alpinum, the Botrichium Lunaria, and many other plants perfectly resembling those that grow among us, are found likewise on the islands of Terra del Fuego, though they are wholly wanting in the intermediate zones and regions. How should the seeds of those plants have migrated from us to those most remote parts of America? The climate is the same as among us; and in the subarctic zone, why do we not recognize what is so evident, that in countries so distant from each other, nature has produced forms nearly or perfectly alike, because those countries are under nearly or perfectly indentical circumstances? In the diffusion of organic beings over the earth nothing perhaps is more easily recognized than the general law, that nature, under similar circumstanees, has always produced similar or perfectly identical creatures.'"

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The regions of Alpine plants on different mountains are to be considered as

We have no space to enter on this subject, to which we have called the attention of our

islands in the great atmospheric ocean; readers; because we believe that the arguhundreds, nay often thousands, of miles ments in favor of equivocal generation are distant from each other, they have many generally considered as fallacious. The plants quite identical, and most of their last 150 pages of Dr. Meyen's work are deplants are at least extremely similar. voted to a highly interesting and instructive How should these plants have come from essay on the history of the principal plants the top of one mountain to that of ano-cultivated for the food, convenience, and grather, where the same climate prevails, tification of man; which are the objects of while these plants are not to be found

on the plain, or even on the lower emi-commerce and the foundation of the wealth nences that lie between. Such notions of of nations. We cannot flatter ourselves with the migration of plants must be wholly the hope of seeing the whole of this work given up now that we have such a vast translated, but we really think that this esaccumulation of facts respecting the oc- say would be, of itself, a welcome addition currence of plants. to our literature.

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"The accurate observations that have

MISCELLANEOUS LITERARY NOTICES.

FRANCE.

THE Paris paper La Paix states that in the first six months of the present year, there have been printed in France 3413 works in French, English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian. Turkish, Arabic, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew; also, 571 engravings and lithographs, 13 new maps and plans, and 8 musical works.

There will be speedily published in Paris, the commencing numbers of "La Armeria real de Madrid, ou le Musée d'Artillerie Espagnol, containing eighty plates, engraved on copper and steel or lithographed, representing the arms of Pelagius, the Cid, Pizarro, Ferdinand Cortes, and other famous Spaniards, after drawings by M. Gasper Sensi, and the text by

M. Achille Jubinal. The work will form 20 livraisons, each containing four or five Plates, and one sheet of text in folio. A

work similar in plan and extent, is about to be commenced, with the title of Le Musée d'Artillerie de Paris.

Shortly will appear in two vols. 8vo., with maps and plans, "Historie de Charles XIV. (Bernadotte) Roi de Suède et Norvège," by Touchard Lafosse.

The first volume of a "History of the Insurrection in Poland, in 1831," in the Polish language, by Felix Wrotnoski, has appeared in Paris.

The second volume of the Turkish and French Dictionary, by J. D. Keifer and T. X. Bianchi, is just published. The first volume appeared in 1835.

We observe that Victor Hugo's celebrated novel, Notre Dame de Paris," has reached the 11th edition.

66

M. P. C. T. Desrochers has undertaken a Biographie des Marins Français con800 Notices historiques, and a Precis of temporains," a work which will contain contemporary maritime events. It will be published in 18 numbers, each containing two sheets.

The first number of "Galeries artis

tiques de Versailles," by Charles Farey, has just appeared. It will contain 203 plates, by the most eminent engravers of France, and be completed in 104 numbers, forming two volumes.

The sixth edition of Thiers' "Historie de la Revolution Française" is publishing in numbers, with 50 plates, engraved on steel.

A "Picturesque Tour of North and South America," containing a digested narra- The first livraison has appeared of tive of the discoveries and observations" Dictionnaire classique des Sciences natuof all the principal travellers in that por-relles," by M. Drapież, a work intended to tion of the world, from the time of Colum-embody all the facts contained in the dicbus to the present day, has been com- tionaries of natural history already pubmenced in numbers, under the superin-lished with all the discoveries since made. tendence of M. Alcide d'Orbigny. It will The whole will consist of 48 livraisons. be published in the same style as the four of which will form a volume, and an Picturesque Tour of the World," and atlas of coloured plates in the same numcontain about 300 engravings. ber of livraisons.

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The 20th and last livraison has just appeared of" Les Polonais et les Polonaises de la Revolution du Novembre, 1830," consisting altogether of 100 portraits, with a biographical illustration to each portrait, by Joseph Strazzewicz. There are two editions of the work, in folio, and in octavo.

A Narrative of a Voyage to Iceland and Greenland, performed in 1835-6, in the Recherche corvette, commanded by Capt. Trehouart, is announced. It is to form six volumes, 8vo., with a folio Atlas of 250 plates, and to appear in parts.

example, the Bagharata-Pourana, and the
Code of Laws of King Waghtang V.
The first part of the Geography of A-
boulfeda, Arabic text, from the Paris and
Leyden manuscripts, published at the ex-
pense of the Asiatic Society, and edited
by M. Reinaud and the Baron Mac Guckin
de Slane, has just appeared. The work
is printed in 4to.

The first volume of "La Russie pittoresque," by J. Cynski, is completed. The whole work is to consist of 144 numbers, forming four 4to. volumes. A number appears every ten days.

The recent travels in the East of Count A "Voyage archéologique et pittoresque Alexandre de Laborde, and Messrs. Beck-dans le Department de l'Aube, et dans l'aner and Hall, are to be recorded in a splen-cien Diocèse de Troyes, by A. F. Artaud, is did work, by the title of "Voyage en Ori-announced to appear in 36 monthly parts. ent," to be edited and published by Leon de Laborde, author of the Voyage en Arabie. It will be embelished with 180 plates, and consist of 36 parts, forming two folio volumes.

Mignet, who has succeeded to Raynouard's place in the French Academy, and who holds the very lucrative situation of director of the archives of the ministry for foreign affairs, is engaged upon a History of the Reformation, which is to extend to ten volumes. This would appear to be a bold undertaking for an author who has never been in Germany, and has not even the slightest knowledge of its language.

GERMANY.

battle of the Amselfeld, in 1389, in which Sultan Amurath was defeated by Milosch Obilitj. A German translation is preparing, with the assistance of the author.

The royal library in Paris possesses a great number of extremely valuable oriental manuscripts, which have never been translated and published either in France or in Europe. The National Institute comprehends oriental scholars, than whom none are better qualified to render those treasures available; and the royal printing office possesses the most complete collection of foreign types that exists in the world. These united means only awaited Wigand, of Leipzig, has just published the royal patronage to produce a typo- the first original tragedy ever written graphical and literary monument surpass- in the Servian language. It is entitled ing every other of the kind. A prince," Milosch Obilitj," and is founded on the who, before he ascended the throne, was president of the Asiatic Society, could not fail to take such an enterprize under his protection. A royal ordinance, issued in 1834, commanded the publication of a collection, comprehending the text and translations of the most important oriental monuscripts in the royal and other libraries. A commission of literary men, appointed by the keeper of the seal, and consisting of Messrs. Silvestre de Sacy, Quatremère, Eugene Burnouf, and Fauriel, has been engaged, under the presidency Wigand is also printing, in Servian, the of M. Lebrun, director of the royal print-second and third volumes of a "Collecing office, in selectieg such manuscripts tion National Songs," the first volume of as should be included in that collection. which was published at Pesth, in 1833. Among the works already fixed upon are 1. The History of the Persian Mongols, Leske, of Darmstadt, has announced a by Raschid Eddin, edited, translated, and geographical and statistical account of accompanied with notes, and a memoir of Servia and its inhabitants, with the title of the life and works of the author, by M." Fürst Milosch und seine Serben," by F. Quatremère. 2. The Proverbs of Meida-Possart.

The same publisher is printing, in the Servian language, the "History of Servia, during the Years 1813 to 1815, inclusive, by Simeon Milutinowitsch." a translation of which is preparing, with the author's co-operation, by Dr. A. Dietzmann.

ni, Arabic text, translated and illustrated with notes by the same scholar. 3. The The second part of Dr. Edward EichShah Nameh, or Book of Kings, by Firdusi, translated by M. Mohl, a German. The first-mentioned of these works has just appeared in a folio volume. Some others have already been fixed upon; for

wald's "Reise auf dem Caspischen Meere und in den Caucasus," containing the historical account of the author's travels in the Caucasus, has just appeared in an 8vo. volume of 900 pages.

A new periodical work, devoted to the | by Albert and Otto Vogel, and the smaller East, has been commenced by Dieterich, by Thompson. It is to be completed in of Göttingen, with the title of "Zeitschrift about fifteen parts of eight sheets each; für die Kunde des Morgenlandes." It will one to be published every four or at most be conducted by H. Ewald, C. von der every six weeks. Gabelentz, J. G. L. Kosegarten, Ch. Lassen, C. F. Neumann, E. Rödiger, and F. Rückert, some of whose names at least are well known in this country as eminent oriental scholars. A number of the work will be published every two months.

The society for the circulation of good Catholic books at Vienna, has published the first volume of a German translation of Artaud's History of Pope Pius VII., reviewed in our present number.

Max & Co. of Breslau, have announced that they have in the press a "History of Philosophy, from Kant to the present time," by Dr. C. J. Braniss, in 2 vols. 8vo.

Brockhaus, of Leipzig, will speedily publish "The Baths and Spas of Germany and Switzerland," by K. C. Hille, illustrated with maps and plans, in two pocket

volumes.

Professor H. Steffens is preparing for publication a collection of "Gebirgs-Sagen," in one 8vo. volume.

A translation into German, of Lieutenant-General Danilewskis's "Account of the Campaign in France, in the Year 1814," by Karl von Kotzebue, will soon appear, in two volumes 8vo., with 23 maps and plans.

A work illustrative of the "German War of Liberation," in 1813-15, is preparing. It will consist of from 8 to 12 numbers, each containing three engravings on steel, and one sheet of text, in royal 8vo.

The Verlag der Klassiker at Stuttgart has commenced the publication of the Thousand and One Nights, now first translated into German from the Arabic original text, by Dr. Gustav Weil, edited by August Lewald, illustrated by 2000 engravings. The work is to appear in weekly numbers, at the low rate of one groschen (1td.) each, and to be completed in two

years.

The same establishment has undertaken the publication of "Shakspeare's Dramatic Works," in German and English, in three volumes, illustrated with 1000 scenes and vignettes, engraved on wood by the most eminent artists in Europe.

The house of Baumgärtner, of Leipzig, has also commenced an illustrated edition of our great dramatist, "printed from the text of the most renowned editors, under the superintendance of Dr. J. G. Flügel," with 270 engravings on wood; the larger

The German translation of Sismondi's "Inquiries concerning the Constitutions of Free Nations," by Schäfer, has been prohibited in Saxony, in Prussia, and in several other German States. Lamennais' works, entitled "Affaires de Rome," is also forbiden in Prussia, as well as all German translations of it. The "Portfolio," published in London, is likewise proscribed in that country.

Voss of Leipzig has undertaken the publication of the Collected Works of Im· manuel, to be edited by professor K. Rosenkranz and F. W. Schubert, of Königsberg. They are to form 12 octavo volumes, and to appear at the rate of four to six per year.

Günther, of Lissa, has announced a work which is likely to interest all military men, by the title of "The Dress of the Soldier considered with relation to Health," by Dr. J. C. H. Metzig, physician to the Prussian army. It is said that this work will treat of various ailments arising from faulty dress, and exhibit_results which would scarcely be suspected, in an 8vo. volume.

Lucius, of Brunswick, advertises the publication of "Fermer the Genius, a novel, by L. Tieck, translated into English, with philosophical notes, and an essay on the author by Ferd. Markwort, ancient teacher of modern languages of the College at Chartres."

Breitkopf and Härtel have given notice that the 66 Hauslexikon," or complete Manual of Domestic Economy for all classes, will certainly be completed in eight volumes, by Easter, 1838. The 36th part, which concludes the sixth volume, has appeared.

The firm of Scheible, has published the first part of " Gemälde von Nord America in allen Beziehungen," by Tr. Bromme, to form 3 volumes, and be illustrated with maps and several hundred engravings; also, the first part of "Beschreibung des Konigreichs Sachsens," to form 1 volume, with 200 views and maps; and the first part of “Beschreibung des Oesterreichischen Kaiserstaates," to be completed in two 8vo. volumes, with 400 views engraved on steel, and maps.

A letter from Berlin states that Madame von Arnim, author of "Briefwechsel Gōthe's mit einem Kinde," reviewed about a year ago in this journal, has ventured upon a very hazardous undertaking, no

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