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year and a half fince, with a translation, in four volumes, of the Zoological Part of the Syftema Naturæ, from Ginelin's last edition. Dr. Turton aimed at nothing more than a plain and faithful representation of his original; the very remarkable concifenefs of that original, however, is not at all times capable of being preferved in a trandation, and it has occafionally happened in thefe volumes, that harshness, and even obfcurity, has arifen from this laudable defire to preferve the manner, as well as the matter of the original. In the introductory treatises, it must be observed, Dr. Turton has by no means been fo fcrupuloufly faithful as it was obviously incumbent on him to be: several important omiffions are difcernible here; they are, nevertheless, in a great measure, compenfated by many additions in the body of the work, for which the tranflator acknowledges his obligations to Latham, Fabricius, and particularly Dr. Shaw, from whofe writings he has extracted all the newly difcovered fpecies, and many valuable obfervations on those formerly known.

Proceeding in his plan, Dr. Turton has recently published a fifth volume, (part 2, vol. i.) relating to the vegetable kingdom. Much to the advantage of his work, Dr. Turton, without avowing it, has deviated from the arrangement of Gmelin, and reftored that of Linné, with the fingle exception of the order Monogamia, in the clafs Syngenesia.

Dr. THORNTON is proceeding in his great national work, as he pompously calls it," A new Illustration" of the Linnean fyftem. Seventeen numbers are already before the public, whofe expectations, it is believed, are egregionfly disappointed. The work was evidently not intended for common readers: it is dreffed out for the levee and the drawing-room of princes and the nobility. The plates are finished with exquifite delicacy, and will immortalize the vanity and infufficiency of Dr. Thornton.

Dr. SHAW's" General Zoology" proceeds with undiminished excellence. The fourth volume is recently published of this most valuable work. This very accurate naturalift in his third volume treated on reptiles and ferpents-fishes form the fubject of the prefent. It is obvious, from the nature of the element in which they live, that, comparatively fpeaking, little can be known of their natural history. Of the habits of many of them we are almost ignorant; feveral of their most important functions are performed where the eye of man cannot penetrate. Some fishes Conftantly remain at the bottom of the

water, fo that accident only can prefent them to the investigation of the naturalist. This fourth volume contains the natural hiftory of the apodal, the jugular, and the thoracic fishes. We may foon expect another, embracing the abdominal and cartilaginous ones, and which will complete this part of the work.

To the detail of the feveral genera in each order, and of the feveral ipecies in each genus, Dr. Shaw has prefixed a ge neral defcription of the external and internal parts of fishes, chiefly taken from the works of Dr. Monro. He has taken advantage of the discoveries and obfervations of travellers on whofe accuracy and science he might depend, and has conful ed the writings of the best compilers and arrangers. In the order apodes, Dr. Shaw has introduced ten genera, in addition to the eight which appear in the twelfth edition of the Syftema Nature; they are anguilla, fynbranchus, fphagebrancus, monopterus, odontognathus, comephorus, triurus, leptocephalus, ftylephorus, and fternoptyx. In the thoracic order, the new genera are gymnetrus, vandellius, macrourus, gobiomorus, acanthurus, eques, trichopus, gomphofus, ophiocepalus, lonchurus, holocentrus, bodianus, and trachichthys. In the course of the work, numerous fpecies are moreover added to many of the Linnean genera.

"Teftatea Britannica; or, | Natural Hiftory of British Shells; by GEORGE MONTAGUE, F. L. S."

On a former occafion we noticed, with approbation, Mr. Montague's "Ornithological Dictionary ;” in the prefent work Mr. Montague has exchanged the alphabetical for the fcientific arrangement, and the alteration is certainly for the better. He has added a great many new genera and fpecies, and the volume will be welcomed by conchologists, as by far the most accurate, elegant, and comprehensive of any on the fubject.

"A Defcription of the Genus Pinus, by AYLMER BOURKE LAMBERT, Eq. F. R. S. Vice-Prefident of the Linnæan Society."

This is a very magnificent and costly publication; the fplendour of the type and the beauty of the engravings, however, conftitute a finall portion of the value of the work. The genus pinus has hitherto been imperfectly understood, and the greater number of its fpecies infuffi ciently difcriminated, Mr. Lambert, with a view to fupply the deficiencies of the Syftema Nature and the Hortus Kevenfis, and with a laudable ambition to

promote

promote the advancement of ufeful fci ence, has perfonally and repeatedly examined thofe fpecies that grow within a confiderable diftance from the metropolis; he has obferved them in different periods of their grow h, and has particularly atten led to the progrels of the cones from their first formation to their full maturity. He has alfo confulted every author of repure, with a view not only to ascertain the most accurate specific diftin&tions, but also to collect every fact relative to the culture and uses of each species. As the refult of his labours, he has now laid before the public n w fpecific characters, comprehenfive lifts of fynonyms, and minute defcriptions in Latin, with various mifcellaneous obfervations in English. In an Appendix, he has added an account, written by Dr. Maton, of several sub ftances prepared from different fpecies of pine, and employed in medicine, or for other purpo ́es; *a letter from Mr. Davis, of Hommingham, in Wilts, on the different kinds of timber afforded by the dif ferent species; an extract from Coxe's Travels, relative to Chriftiana deal; and a letter from Thomas Marfham, Efq. on the infects destructive to pines. The figures, exhibiting a branch of the plant, the inflorescence, and the fruit in different ftages of its growth, are admirably executed. Mr. Lambert informs us, that he intends to follow up the prefent work with illustrations of the remaining genera, in the natural order of Conifere; and that feveral drawings of the fpecies of dacry. dium, and the dombeya, of Lamarck, are already finished, and will be given to the public as foon as poffible.

Mr. DANIEL'S "Rural Sports" will be found very amufing volumes, nor are they by any means barren of instruction.

"Tracts on the Natural History of Animals and Vegetables, tranflated from the original Italian of the Abbé SPALLANZANI, by JOHN GRAHAM DALZELL, Efq. Advocate."

This is ftated in the title page to be a fecond edition: we notice it, nevertheless, because it is so thoroughly corrected and revised as almoft to be a new tranflation. -Occafional notes are added, and several memoirs on subjects connected with animal phyfiology, rendering the work altogether extremely valuable.

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fome of them are conducted. The old and established journals were confidered as courts of criticism, before which authors might appear with the confidence of being treated according to their merit, with the affurance that their works would be examined with impartiality, and that themfelves would receive a sentence of glory or difgrace, according to the evidence; thofe courts of criticism feem now to be in a great measure fuperfeded by a dreadful inquifition, where every man, inftead of being fuppofed innocent till he is proved guilty, is fuppofed to be guilty, and put to the rack for confeffion until he is proved to be innocent! In the old courts, both of judicature and criticifm, the humane maxim was, that it is better for a hundred guilty to escape than for one innocent to suffer. The principle is now reverfed, and the inexorable motto affumed is, "JUDEX DAMNATUR CUM NOCENS ABSOLVITUR!" For a great number of years, we had three critical journals only, the Monthly," the "Critical," and the "Analytical," Reviews. The latter, though conducted by a gentleman of great ability, and on a plan of perfect imparti ality, declined in fale, and was abandoned in the year 1799. The two former have been more fuccefsfully fupported. In the early part of the laft war, the "British Critic" made its appearance under the aufpices of two clergymen of perfonal refpectability and talent, who to this day continue its fuperintendence. The kingdom was at this time divided into two parties the proprietors of that work took the high-church politics, and avowed their intention of counteracting as much as poffible, what they deemed to be the mal-influence of thofe free opinions which had been defended and propagated by the other critical journals. Notwithftanding, however, that the British Critic was avowedly a partý publication, its po litical and religious tenets-the politics of the court and the religion of the church of England though warmly enforced, were, nevertheless, generally expreffed with a regard to decorum and good manners, which modern inquifitors have altogether despised. It was left for the "Antijacobin" Review to be the first and forenoft in abuse and intolerance: the most rancorous and infulting epithets were lavished upon authors whose only, though inexpiable, crime, was to have differed from the editors of that work in their po litical or religious fentiments. They made no diftinction between the calm inveftiga. tions of a philofopher and the factious

Philip

Philippics of a demagogue. In confequence of their vulgarity and coarfenefs, the Anti-jacobin Review gives offence to the moderate, the well-meaning, and the well-mannered of both parties. About two years ago, there ftarted up a Review in Edinburgh, which also acquired an unenviable notoriety by its arrogant and dictatorial tone of criticism, and by its unfparing feverity and bitterness of language. The fupporters of this journal are not, like the fupporters of the Antijacobin, excited to intemperance by any foftered antipathies against certain political or religious dogmata. They feem to delight in faying fevere and ill-natured things, and the feelings of an author are wounded by them with the most frigid and callous indifference. One might almoft imagine, that Peter Pindar caft a prophetic eye on these gentlemen when he thus deprecated the chastisement of reviewers: "I never faid, like murderers in their dens, Ye fecret met, in cloud-capp'd garret high, With hatchets, scalping-knives in fhape of

pens,

To bid, like Mohocks, hapless authors die Nor faid (in your Reviews, together ftrung) The limbs of butcher'd writers, cheek by jowl,

Look'd like the legs of flies on cobwebs hung, Before the hungry fpider's dreary holes," &c. The ftyle which these gentlemen have adopted of reviewing is alfo extremely different from any we have been accustom ed to. They open their commiffion with aftonishing folemnity; claiming a right, which to difpute is worse than death, of deciding peremptorily on every fubject, by an affurance that their own knowledge of it is complete. After this preparatory pomp and difplay of learning, they enter upon an elaborate differtation, often forgetful of the author himself, with whofe opinions, as to the subject on which he treats, the reader certainly, and perhaps the reviewer, is oftentimes entirely ignoThere is fomething fufficiently impofing in this cftentatious tirade, but it is better adapted for the exordium of a profeffed difquifition than for a critique. The Edinburgh Review, however, occa fionally dilplays a great deal of talent and knowledge, as well as a great deal of infufferable arrogance and fupercilioufnefs: the tone and temper of it would probably be materially foftened if the writers lived in London, rather than in Edinburgh. Barrack foldiers are more formidable than those who are quartered in cities, and MONTHLY MAG. No. 117.

rant.

every day mix with the inhabitants. The palpable partiality uniformly fhewn by the Edinburgh reviewers towards Scotch authors, is an evidence that they are not above the influence of perfonal feelings.

"The Origin and Progress of Writing, as well Hieroglyphic as Elementary ; illuftrated by Engravings taken from Marbles, Manufcripts, and Charters, ancient and modern. Second Edition, with Additions. By THOMAS ASTLE, Efq. F.R. S. F. A. S and Keeper of the Records in the Tower of London."

This fplendid volume contains a great deal of very curious and far fought information, it difplays varied erudition, and extenfive refearch. To sketch even in the most rapid and fuperficial manner the origin and progrefs of writing and printing, as retraced by Mr. Aftle, would lead us much too far; it may, neverthelefs be permitted us to tranfcribe from his introductory chapter the plan of the work. "The first and fecond chapters are founded on principles of philosophy, fupported by facts, deduced from the hil tories of different nations. The third chapter treats of the antiquity of writing, and has recourse to the most ancient hiftorians, both facred and prophane; the latier of which are fo involved in fable, that it was extremely difficult to separate the ore from the drofs. However, the most relpectable authors have been confulted, from whom has been selected such evidence as appeared to be molt rational, and to deferve the most credit. Several particulars concerning the civilization of ancient nations, occur in the courle of this chapter, which may appear interesting, not only to the hiftorian and antiquary, but alfo to the philofopher.

“In the fourth chapter it appears, that › all alphabets are not derived from one; but that molt of those now used, are derived from the Phenician. This chapter contains a general account of such as are fuppofed to have arifen from that fource; which furnishes many important facts relative to the hiftory, population, and the progrefs of arts and iciences, in the most celebrated nations.

"The fifth chapter contains the history of writing in different ages and countries, proved from ancient infcriptions, manufcripts, and other authentic documents, of which engraved fpecimens are given, and feveral rules are laid down, which may enable our readers to judge of their age and authenticity. This chapter neceffarily 4 &

contains

contains much ancient history, and eftablithes many important truths hitherto little known or attended to.

"The fixth chapter treats of the writing of the Chinese, and of various chuacters and literary figns, ufed both by the ancients and moderns, for brevity, expedition, or fecrecy. The facts which appear in the course of this chapter, fully confirm the doctrine laid down in the fecond and fourth chapters, that all marks whatever ar. fignificant by compact, and that LEYTEKS do not derive their powers from their forms, but from the jounds which men have agreed to annex to them.

"The feventh chapter treats of numerals and of numeral characters, which were probably uled before letters.

"The eighth chapter treats of the libra rii, notarii, and an iquarii, among the ancients; of paintings and ornaments; of the materials for writing upen; of inftruments for writing with; and fome account of inks, both ancient and mode:n."

The Baronefs STAEL has published, in two volumes, octavo, "A Treatise on

Ancient and Modern Literature."

Ignorance and prefumption generally go hand in hand in the prefent volume they proceed paffibus aquis, in the most cordial manner.

To the many and substantial obligations which the rifing generation owes to Dr. AIKIN, he has now added ano.her in the publication of a "Series of Letters to a young Lady, on a Course of English Poctry."

The correctnefs of Dr. Aikin's tafte, poetical and moral, united to his found and difcriminating judgment, admirably qualifies him as a guide through the mazy and deductive paths of poetry. The utility of such a work as the prefent muft forcibly imprefs any one who reflects on the vaft and increafing number of English poets, whofe volumes folicit the perufal of young perfons. To have the beit authors pointed out, their beauties and defects examined and unfolded, and the tendency of their works expoted, are immenfe advantages to young peons who are entering on a courfe of Englih poetry. Dr. Aikin does not affume the office of a matter, requiring that his pupils fhould damn where he cen fures, and extol when he approves his object is to form their judgment and improve their talle, in order that they may themielves be trufted with the delicate task of felection; at the fame time pointing out

ofe fources from which the fineft fentiments may be imbibed, and the most

pure, harmonious, and appropriate language learnt.

Mr. GREENE has published some “ Ob. fervations on the Drama, with a View to its more beneficial Effects on the Morals and Manners of Society."

Thele obfervations do more credit to the moral than to the critical taste of the author, who is very infufficiently acquainted with the fubject on which he has the rafhness to write.

Dr. RENDER'S " Analysis of the German Language," is a work of confiderable merit.

MEDICINE, ANATOMY, SURGERY, &c.

Dr. SAYER WALKER'S "Obfervations on the Conflitution of Women, and on fome of the Difeafes to which they are more ef pecially liable," form an uiful compen dium of the prevailing practice as to femaie complaints. The doctor has not, however, thrown much light on any of them from his perfonal obfervations.

Mr. FoGo's" Obfervations on the Opinions of Ancient and Modern Phyficians refpecting the Nature and Cause of the Uterine Discharge, and various other Female Complaints," are fuperficial, flippant, and indelicate.

We have occafionally noticed the numbers of Dr. BED DOE'S "Hygeia," as they appeared: the work is now completed in three volumes as introductory to a comprehensive treatife on phyfiology. Perhaps it difplays a greater portion of genius and imagination, than of judgment or icience.

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"A Fifth Differtation on Fever, &c. by GEORGE FORDYCE."

This pofthumous work is edited by Dr. WELLS: it completes the view of fever, originally propofed by the skilful and regretted author, and was left by him nearly in its prefent ftate. The defign of it is, to point out the difeafes which may be complicated with, and the irregularities and accidents which may occur in, continued fevers. To the prefent Differtation is annexed, a general fummary of the opi nions which the author has advanced in his Effays, and a reply to fome objections which have been made againit them.

Dr. HOOPER'S "Anatomical Plates of the Thoracic and Abdominal Vifcera, accompanied by Explanatory Maps," will be found of effential use to students. The fame may be truly faid of his "Diagram of the Human Eye,” and “ Map of the Hu man Ear." To Dr. Hooper we are also very much indebted for a republication, in

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a reduced form, of Profeffor WALTER'S incomparable Plates of the Thoracic and Abdominal Nerves." The doctor has published thefe most perfect fpecimens of neurology with the original explanations, to which he has added a fhort account of the par vagum, great fympathetic, and phrenic nerve.

Mr..TIMBREL's "Practical Obfervations on the Management of Ruptures," are worthy of very confiderable attention. The author is not of the profeffion, but has long been a fufferer under this complaint, and obtained from the Society of Arts the gold medal for his improvement in the contruction of truffes.

The Profeffor of Anatomy and Surgery at Edinburgh, Dr. ALEXANDER MONRO, jun. has published in a fmall pamphlet, his "Obfervations on Crural Hernia." They are faid to be very fuperficial, and of courfe unworthy to have proceeded from the pen of the Profeffor of the first medical school in Europe.

Mr. CHAMBERLAINE has published the "Hiftory of the Proceedings of the Committee appointed by the General Meeting of Apothecaries, Chemifts, and Drug gifts, for the Purpose of obtaining Relief from the Hardships impofed on the Dealers in Medicine by certain Claufes in the new Medicine A.”

The ob/ervations contained in this pamphlet were fir published in the Medical Journal; by reprinting them separately, together with an abftract of the Act, they will be rendered more generally useful.

Dr. HERDMAN'S "Difcourfes on the Management of Infants and the Treatment of their Difeafes," contain a great many ufeful inftructions to mothers and nurfes.

"Medical Ethics; or, a Code of Inftitutes and Precepts, adapted to the Profefonal Conduct of Physicians and Surgeons:-1. Ia Hospital Practice. 2. In private or general Practice. 3. In relation to Apothecaries. in Cafes which many require a Knowledge of Law. To which is added, an Appendix, containing a Difcourfe on Hofpital Duties; also, Notes and Illuftrations. By THOMAS PERCIVAL, M. D. F. R. S. and A. S. London, &c."

Young medical practitioners will do

well to read thefe inftructions. Good mo rals and the manners of a gentleman are requifite in every fituation of life; but each profeffion, befides impofing on its members what may be called the common law of d corum, fubjects them moreover to an obfervance of its own peculiar code. To explain and enforce this peculiar, this

profeffional, cole, as established by the common confent of the faculty, is the purpofe of thefe pages.

"Three Letters on Medical Subjects, addreffed to the Rev. Gilbert Ford; containing-1. An Account of the Effects of an Aloetic Medicine in the Gout, and other

Chronical Complaints. 2. A Practice which has been fuccefsful in the individual Prevention of the late Epidemics. 3. An Account of the Sedative Properties of the Granulated Preparation of Tin, in fome Affections of the Mind. By JOHN FORD, M. D.—Chefter."

When a practitioner recommends a medicine, the preparation of which he keeps fecret, fome finifter motive is to be suspected. For the fake of his own reputation, Dr. Ford ought to make public the ingredients and proportions of them which compofe the medicine of which he speaks fo highly.

Mr. WILMER has published a fecond edition, enlarged, of his " Practical Obfervations on Herniæ.”

Dr. FOTHERGILL has given in a small pamphlet, "A concife and fyftematical Account of a painful Affection of the Nerves of the Face, commonly called Tic Doloureux." It may be confulted with great advantage.

"A new Anatomical Nomenclature, relating to the Terms which are expreffive of Pofition and Afpect in the Animal Syftem By JOHN BARCLAY, M. D." &c.

This work bears marks of care, ability, and knowledge of the fubject, and is well worth the attention of anatomifts. The principles on which Dr. Barclay has formed this new nomenclature are clearly explained, and the application of them is correct and judicious.

The fecond part of the third volume of Mr. BELL's Anatomy" is published. It contains the anatomy of the eye and ear; of the nose and organs of fmelling; of the mouth and organs of taste; of the skin and fenfe of touch.

; a

"A Courfe of Medical Studies; containing a Comparative View of the Anatomical Structure of Man and of Animals Hiftory of D.feafes; and an Account of the Knowledge hitherto acquired with regard to the regular Action of the different Organs. A Work chiefly defigned for the Ufe of Medical Students. By J. BURDIN, M. D. Tranflated from the French."

The author of this work, like Dr. Beddoes. Atters himself that he fall banish quackery by a more general diffusion of medical knowledge: that is to fay, by making every man his own physician.

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