the Natural Sciences, and the fostering hand of government is liberally extended towards these objects. Splendid establishments are founded, and amply endowed, affording gratuitous instruction in the most minute branches, exhibiting brilliant prospects to the zealous student, and securing to the ripe scholar an honorable retreat in his old age. In our own country, notwithstanding the peculiar constitution of society, which affords little leisure to the mere scholar, and the meagre recompense which awaits the student of science, yet Natural History has not failed to attract much attention from numerous votaries. Indeed, a stronger evidence cannot be given of the interest which is taken in this study, than the fact, that numerous institutions for the cultivation of Natural History have been, for many years, in active operation in the United States, and every year adds several new associations to the list. "In Mineralogy more accuracy has been introduced, and analyses have been much improved; many new forms and combinations have been brought to light, and species, hastily introduced, have been restored to their proper places. The loose and confused attempts at analysis, of which some examples might be adduced, ten years ago, would not be tolerated at the present day. In Geology ample materials are daily accumulating for a complete history of our different formations, and the efforts of our geologists are unwearied in adding to the stock of our positive knowledge on this subject. Unbiassed by the theories of European Naturalists, they attach themselves exclusively to the study of the nature, arrangement, and connexion of the different strata, without attempting to seek for proofs of their identity with similar formations in Europe. The Botany of our country has been carefully studied, and although the attempts hitherto made to introduce the natural orders, in preference to the Linnæan arrangement, have failed of success, yet there is every reason to anticipate, that ere long our botanists will adopt this only philosophical mode of studying the vegetable kingdom. In Zoology, from the peculiarity of our situation, naturalists have been more occupied in discovering and describing new species, than in investigating the natural affinities and relations of beings, the chief end of all zoological studies. Indeed, it is but natural to expect, that more attention should be given to the examination of new species, than to the rigid criticism of genera. A knowledge of the former is doubtless of great importance, but the latter will enable us to detect the delicate affinities by which the different classes of organized beings are approximated, if not brought into 6 absolute contact. We are aware, that the idea of a chain of beings has been ridiculed as a philosophical reverie; but the more this question is examined, with the light afforded by modern observation, the firmer will this opinion be established. Already we hear the terms natural series,' annectant groups,' 'regular series,' and other expressions, which mark the first glimmerings of light on this hitherto obscure subject. And when we reflect, that these affinities have been, for the most part, drawn from external and obvious characters; that we have yet much to learn from internal anatomy; that new species are continually discovered, which connect hitherto separate genera; that every day brings with it the discovery of some extinct animal, whose structure varies more or less from that of any living being, we are insensibly led to admit, that the idea of a chain of beings is neither visionary nor unphilosophical. "As naturalists, we have much reason to be satisfied with our peculiar position. Placed on a comparatively virgin soil, with new forms and objects continually presented to our view, suggesting new trains of thought, and giving rise to new associations, we are more highly favored than the naturalists of older countries. As pioneers in the Natural History of the United States, reputation and after-fame, those powerful incentives to active and honorable exertion, are more immediately within our reach, than they will be to the numerous naturalists who shall but tread in our footsteps. With such incentives before us, let us apply ourselves diligently to the work dum loquimur, fugerit invida ætas. "In another point of view, our situation offers some striking advantages. Removed, as we are, from the scenes of those rivalries and contentions which, unfortunately, too often intrude even upon the peaceful domains of science; where unworthy national prejudices are sometimes associated with private jealousies, we are enabled to examine controverted points with coolness and impartiality. The remoteness of our situation supplies the place of time, and we may be supposed to decide between the conflicting opinions of European naturalists with the same justice and impartiality, as if we were removed from them by intervening centuries." ORIGINAL POETRY. SONNET. AYE thou art welcome-heaven's delicious breath! When woods begin to wear the crimson leaf, And suns grow meek, and the meek suns grow brief, And the year smiles as it draws near its death. Wind of the sunny South!-Oh, long delay In the gay woods and in the golden air,— Like to a good old age, released from care, Journeying, in long serenity, away. In such a bright late quiet, would that I Might wear out life, like thee, 'mid bowers and brooks, And, dearer yet, the sunshine of kind looks, And music of kind voices ever nigh; And, when my last sand twinkled in the glass, B. FROM THE SPANISH OF BARTOLOME' LEONARDO DE ARGENSOLA. MARY MAGDALEN. BLESSED, yet sinful one, and broken-hearted! Thou weepest days of innocence departed, The greatest of thy follies is forgiven, Even for the least of all the tears that shine On that pale cheek of thine. Thou didst kneel down to him who came from heaven, Evil and ignorant, and thou shalt rise Holy and pure and wise. It is not much, that to the fragrant blossom Nor that, upon the wintry desert's bosom, The harvest should rise plenteous, and the swain Bear home the abundant grain. But come and see the bleak and barren mountains Thick to their tops with roses; come and see Leaves on the dry dead tree: The perished plant, set out by living fountains, Grows fruitful, and its beauteous branches rise, For ever, towards the skies. B. THE JUBILEE. "T WAS glorious, when the clarion swell More happy we, who seated now Here mingling see a various group; What peals are heard-what music swells! Yes, He who, full of strength sublime, In that proud act, which erst unfurled Yes, this fair morn to them is dark; When ruin, through the long wild day, |