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Rafinesque,) is not admitted; otherwise both become worse than bad.

Some bad genera of other authors, have been admitted, which it may be well to notice likewise.

Lissa of Leach, is too short, and is contained in Melissa, &c. it must be modified into Lissula.

Lupa of Leach, is too short, and the root of Lupinus; it must be changed into Lupania.

Lymnea of Lamark, root to Limnetis, is too similar to Linnæa, &c.-it would be well to modify it into Lymnella.

Hippa of Fabricius, means a horse! and is partial root of 20 different genera, such as Hippopha, Hippomane, Hippuris, &c. Why not admit and adopt the anterior and better name Emerita of Gronovius?

Caryophyllea of Lamark, is almost identical with Caryophyllus: Rafinesque had changed it into Nerania.

Corticifera is quite a specific name, inadmissible for genera; the name of Phorophlus, which has nearly the same meaning, might be substituted.

We shall proceed to notice the tracts of this Journal, in the order of succession.

1. Contains the descriptions of 6 new species of Firola, with figures, by Mr. Lesueur: from the Mediterranean, where the family they belong to is very common, and many new genera exist. A good anatomical description of the genus is prefixed.

2. Account of the Ovis montana by Mr. Ord. He calls by that name the white wild sheep of the rocky mountains, which has been called Mazama dorsata by Rafinesque, since it belongs to that genus rather than to the Ovis, having solid horns not spiral.

3. Twelve new species of American fresh water shells of the genera Cyclostoma, Succinea, Ancylus, Paludina, Helix, &c. by Mr. Say. This author has begun to elucidate with much ability the subject of American Conchology, and has adopted the improvements of French

authors.

4. Descriptions of eight N. Sp. of North-American insects, of the genera Cicindela, Nemognatha, Zonitis, and Diopsis, by Mr. Say, who shows himself an able entomologist of the modern school.

5. Observations on the genus Eriogonum, by Mr. Nuttall. He gives a sort of monography of it, and adds many pertinent remarks on the natural family of Polygoneous, which, however, awaits yet the reforming hand of an able botanist.

6. Description of the genus Firoloida, by Lesueur, or rather Pyrlymnus, and of

3 species of it, found in the Atlantic. This genus differs from the genus Hypterus of Rafinesque, by its dorsal fin.

7. Description of 3 N. Sp. of the G. Raja from North America. This Linnæan genus forms a natural tribe, containing many different genera: the R. maclura of Lesueur belongs to the genus Uroxys Raf. having neither dorsal nor anal fin: the R. say, having both, belongs to the genus Hypanus Raf. and the R. quadriloba, belongs to the G. Platopterus Raf. having only a dorsal fin on the tail.

8. Account of the Hessian fly, Cecidonosia destructor, and its enemy the Ceraphron destructor, by Mr. Say; with a very good scientific description of them, with figures.

9. A N. G. of rustaceous Cerapus tubularis, by Mr. Say; with a figure, very near to the genus Jassa of Leach.

10. Description of the Tantalus mexicanus, (found in New-Jersey and Maryland) by Mr. Ord.

11. Description of two new genera Monolepis and Sesarma, and 23 species of North-American Crustacea, whereof 15 are new, by Mr. Say; with many figures. They belong to the genera Cancer, Portunus, Pinnotheres, Ocypede, Libinia, Plagusia, Pagurus, Astacus, &c. Mr. Say has adopted the improvements of Latrielle and Leach, on the genus Cancer of Linnæus, which is now become, by the discoveries of many writers, a class, containing more than 100 genera and 1000 species! His descriptions are very minute, yet sometimes confused and defective in a few points. We advise to compare his Ocypode reticulatus with the 0. pusilla of Rafinesque's account of some N. G. and Sp. of North American Crustacea, in American Monthly Magazine, vol. 2. p. 40. His Astacus affinis with A. limosus Raf. ditto; his Pagurus longicarpus with P. truncatulus Raf. ditto; and his Hippa talpoida to Nectylus rugosus Raf. ditto; as they may happen to be identical or very near related to each other.

12. On five new species of American eels, by Mr. Lesueur; he refers them to the genus Murena of Linnæus and Lacepede; while they belong to the genus Anguilla of Shaw and Rafinesque; the Murena is a different genus from the eels, which name Lecepede has changed, without any reason, into Gymnothorax, a denomination that applies to 60 genera of fishes!

13. On two new species of cod, from lake Erie and the river Connecticut, by

Mr. Lesueur. They have only two dorsal fins, and belong therefore to the genus Merlucius rather than Gadus, which has three dorsal fins.

14. Description of the Cyprinus maxillingua, a N. Sp. by Mr. Lesueur. He intimates that it might form a new genus, which has been established by Rafinesque on this, and another species, by the name of Exoglossum, in the Physical Journal.

15. Description of the Testudo geographica of lake Erie, with a figure, by Mr. Lesueur. It has palmated feet, and is not, therefore, a real Testudo of Dumeril and the moderns.

16. Monography of the Catostomus, a new genus of fish, by Mr. Lesueur. It is a section from the extensive genus Cyprinus, of which Mr. L. describes 18 species. Many other sections must be made in that genus, before it becomes better understood.

17. Description of two N. G. of plants, Crypta and Hemianthus, and two species of Tillea and Limosella, by Mr. Nuttall, with figures of the N G. He calls the Tillaa, T. Simplex, which is right. Dr. Ives of New-Haven, had discovered it first (not since, as stated,) and described it under the name of the T. connata of Peru. The Limosella has been considered by both Dr. Ives and Mr. Nuttall, as the L. tenuifolia of Europe; but the figure given by Dr. Ives, in the Transactions of the Physico-Medical Society of New-York, is adequate to prove their error: it is a distinct species, which may be called L. brachistema. We shall now undertake to assert and prove that Mr. Nuttall and the Academy are mistaken, in regard to the natural affinities and arrangement of his two new genera. He states that the N. G. Cryptina belongs to the natural family of Portulacea, next to the genera Portulaca and Montia; but the Portulacea differs from Cryptina by having the stamina in heterogonal number, not inserted on the petals nor opposed thereto, and Montia by its peripetal corolla bearing the stamina, characters of the utmost consequence. We deem that the nearest genus to Cryptina, is Claytonia, which only differs by the number of stamina, petals, and cells, which are all characters of a variable and unessential nature. Its natural classification is then in the natural class Eurogynia, 6th natural order Plyrontia, distinguished by having one ovary, the stamina isogone and opposed to the petals or alternate with the caly in this order Rhamnus, Berberis, and Vitis, are the types of as many natural families, and next to them CrypVOL. II.-No. IV.

35

tina and Claytonia, must form another natural family, to which many other genera will probably become annexed afterwards: it may be called Epionyria, or the Epiopryxe, and characterised as follows: calyx diphylle; corolla several petals; stamina in equal number and inserted upon them. Several stigmas. Capsul with several cells, valves, and seeds. Leaves simple, opposite, &c.

The N. G. Hemianthus of Nuttall, is rightly approximated to Micranthemum : but both are very wrongly united to the natural order of Lysimachious, which has a regular corolla, the stamina in equal number and opposed to its divisions. It is by these unhappy attempts and examples that the correct botanists become disgusted with the beautiful natural classification, thinking that those connexions are perfectly illusive, since so many are founded on mistaken references. The genera Hemianthus, Micranthemum, and even the N. G. Collinsia of Mr. Nuttall, or rather Collinsiana, belong all to the second natural class Mesogynia, 5th natural order Chasmanthia or the Personate, and to its first sub-order, Monorimia distinguished by its monolocular fruit. There are at least three distinct natural families included within this sub-order. 1. Aplendinia distinguished by a berry for fruit, and to which belong the genera Besleria, Brunsfelsia, Crescentia, Tanæcium, Mitraria, Tripinnaria, &c. 2. The natural family Clythrelia, formed by Utricularia and Pinguicula, very distinct by its capsul, bilobed calyx, spurred corolla, 2 stamens, &c. And the third will be the natural family Hemilidia, whose characters are, a capsul, calyx with many divisions, corolla without spur, 2 or 4 stamens, &c. It may be subdivided in two sub-families, the first Hemianthia, will contain all the genera with two anthera only, such as Micranthemum, Hemianthus, Stemopus, (Limosella diandra, Wild.) &c. and perhaps Lindernia! while the second Limosellinia, with 4 unequal stamina and 4 fertile an thera, shall contain the genera Browallia, Limosella, Phayllopsis, Conobea, Mecardonia, and Collinsiana, (Collinsia of Nuttall,) all united by the same characters.

18. Descriptions of four new specics and two varieties of the G. Hydrargyra, by Mr. Lesueur. A North-American ge⚫ nus of fish.

19. Observations on the geology of the West-India islands, from Barbadoes to Santa Cruz, by Mr. Maclure. These observations are very valuable, although not entirely new: it was well known that all the Carribbean islands were of volcanic

origin; but Mr. M. has confirmed that fact, and thrown some light on the subject of their formation, and actual state. 20. Description of 15 new species of the G. Actinia; 3 N. Sp. of the G. Zoan thus; 2 N. Sp. of a N. G. Mammilifera, &c. by Mr. Lesueur, with some figures. The genus Actinia of Linnæus is increasing so fast by new discoveries, that it will soon contain over 100 known species; some divisions and amendments will, therefore, become requisite, as it is invariably the case when our knowledge of beings increases: eight new genera have been proposed already in the Analysis of Nature, by Rafinesque: several species of Lesueur belong to his genera Stomanthus, Aptostepha, &c.

21. New genus Collinsia, by Mr. Nuttall, with a coloured figure; we have already made the needful observations on the name and classification of this genus. It will be perceived that implicit confidence is not always to be given to the la

bours of this Academy; but we trust that the published facts and descriptions are correct and to be depended upon. Whatever be our reluctance to admit incorrect principles, from whomsoever they emanate, we are always glad to be furnished with new materials, and to perceive zealous exertions in the cause of science. Every single new species or new genus discovered or introduced is a conquest made by knowledge over nullity, and brings us at once in relative connexion with it. From this motive, and our conviction that numberless beings, unknown to us, exist as yet every where, we feel inclined to wish complete success to the Academy of Philadelphia in their future labours, exertions and publications, and we should wish that many other similar institutions in our country, which are merely known by name, might be induced to give us occasionally a similar evidence of their zeal.

C. S. R.

ART. 5. The Lord of the Isles; a Poem.

12mo. pp.

By WALTER SCOTT, Esq. 307. Philadelphia. Moses Thomas. 1815. HIS is a finely-told, though, perhaps, ing in vivid description, though deficient in strongly-marked characters. The narrative, in its general tone, is rich and vigorous, yet occasionally perplexing, from the unexplained suddenness of its transitions, while, at the same time, it is but just to admit that it is not infrequently lighted up by a gleam of the diviner faculty. In common also with Mr. Scott's preceding works, it is disfigured by ungraceful abruptnesses, contorted phraseology, and passages of prosaic tameness.

its simplicity and pathos-the verse of qualities

66

Rokeby," of all Mr. Scott's poemswe will not except even "The Lay of the last Minstrel"-is the best entitled to deliberate panegyric. Its story is interesting, arranged with clearness, and with no less attention to dramatic effect. The characters are strongly drawn, and vividly contrasted. In the descriptive parts, the poet has shown that though Le may feel all the partiality of a native for the sublime landscapes of Scotland, be can, nevertheless paint, and with the hand of a master, the softer beauties of English scenery. The language of "Rokeby" is, generally speaking, decidedly superior to that of his former productions. Retaining what was estimable in the verse of "The Lay," "Marmion," and "The Lady of the Lake"

tri

a higher kind. It is imbued with the
evidence of a maturer genius than is ex-
hibited in any of the poems we have enu-
merated. It is more condensed, vigorous,
and palpably splendid. It has more dig-
nity, and less puerility. The judicious
employment of antithesis and invertion
gives it increased energy, and much was
gained by the adoption of alliterative
words, and the repercussive effect of
transposition. In fine, if the eulogium
bestowed on Mr. Scott of having
umphed over the fatal facility of the octo-
syllabic verse" be well deserved, its jus-
tification is to be sought for in the lan-
guage of Rokeby. The verse of "The
Lord of the Isles" displays no improve-
ment in Mr. Scott's style since the pub-
lication of its predecessor. Its general
complexion is more ballad-like, and it
may be fairly stated to hold a medium
rank between that of "Rokeby" and the
earlier compositions of Mr. Scott. It is
more lax and diffuse than that of the
first, yet more compressed than that of
the last. Than that of " Rokeby," the
language is less stern and stately; than
that of The Lay," &c. more lofty and
emphatic. If it do not manifest so many
of the lighter graces as
"The Lay,'
neither is it so deeply marked with the

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features of dignity as "Rokeby." Its general colouring is warmer than that of the former, but very inferior to the rich and glowing tints of the latter. Its step is more certain and specific than that of "The Lay," than that of "Rokeby" less confident and composed. The language of the "Lord of the Isles," in fine, occupies much the same station between the styles of "The Lay," &c. and "Rokeby," which adolescence holds between infancy and manhood.

We now proceed to sketch the story of the poem.

The first Canto opens with a song chaunted by the minstrels of Ronald, Lord of the Isles, beneath the walls of Artornish Castle, in celebration of his approaching marriage with Edith of Lorn. The lady, who has been conveyed to Artornish by her brother, there to await the arrival of the bridegroom (a circumstance not uncustomary in that age), listens with cold indifference to the lay of the bards, and upon the kind expostulation of her fostermother, bursts into an impassioned declaration that "he," Ronald, with whom she is deeply enamoured, "loves her not," and appeals, in proof of her assertion, to his tardy and reluctant approach. Her aged nurse endeavours, but in vain, to soothe the agitation of her spirits. This scene is, at length, terminated by their descrying the fleet of Ronald, adorned with silken streamers, and otherwise sumptuously decorated, bearing down from Aros Bay to the halls of Artornish. At the same instant a slight and wavetossed skiff is discovered, past which the nuptial armada sails, regardless of her distressed condition. The weather-beaten bark, we are given to understand, contains, besides her crew, two knights and their sister, personages of high rank, whose adventures are closely interwoven with the business of the poem, and who are at last forced, by the increasing fury of the elements, to seek shelter within the walls of the fortress, which, during the whole day, they had strenuously endeavoured to avoid. The description of the vessels' approach to the castle through the tempestuous and sparkling waters, and the contrast between the gloomy aspect of the billows and the glittering splendours of Artornish,

""Tween cloud and ocean hung," sending her radiance abroad through the terrors of the night, and mingling at intervals the shouts of her revelry with the wilder cadence of the blast, is a fine instance of Mr. Scott's felicity in awful and

magnificent scenery. The canto concludes with the arrival of the strangers at Artornish, and the warder's announcement of his illustrious and reluctant visiters to the Lord of the Isles.

At

Canto the second. Ronald, seated at the head of the banquet-table, endeavours, by a display of boisterous mirth, to conceal some powerful emotion which, though unnoticed by the guests, is ob served with anguish by his lovely bride. Suddenly the winding of the bugle at the portal of Artornish declares the supposed arrival of the Abbot of St. Iona to solemnize the nuptials,--he drops the “untasted goblet," but is relieved by the intelligence of the warder that three noble looking strangers claim at his hands the right of hospitality. The seneschal is directed to introduce them; they enter, and struck by their lofty and dignified bearing, he assigns them stations above all the company, at which every one, but more especially the chief of Lorn, the brother of Edith, is much incensed. Lorn, however, who is in traiterous league with the English king against the Bruce, guessing the rank of the strangers, commands one of the minstrels to chaunt an insulting song, recording the successful issue, in favour of the rebel, of a combat between him and his sovereign. the close, the younger stranger, who has been previously irritated by Lorn's insolent interrogatories, lays his hand upon his sword with the intention of executing summary justice upon the offender, but is checked by the elder knight, who, however, in addressing the minstrel, at once realizes the suspicion, and galls the pride of the traitor. Further concealment is impossible--the strangers are the king, his brother, and their sister the princess Isobel. Tumult of the most ferocious kind succeeds this discovery. Loudly and savagely, Lorn insists upon the murder of his sovereign, in atonement for the death of his kinsman Comyn, slain at the altar by the Bruce, in resentment of his treasons; while Ronald as warmly asserts the sacredness of hospitable claims. His ardour is increased by the appeal of the princess for his pro. tection of her brothers; and now breaks forth the cause of the perturbation he manifested at the commencement of the canto-the royal charms of Isobel, from whose hand he had formerly and frequently received the prize at tournaments, have seduced his heart from the object of his earlier and affianced affections. The broil becomes fiercer, when the announcement of the Abbot prevents the

cffusion of blood, and the rebel consents The king and Ronald set sail with favourto refer the case to the monk, and abide able gales, but the wind shifting, they are by his decision. The Abbot enters, and forced upon the shore of Skye. The soliafter hearing the malignant charges of tary aspect of the place induces the Lorn against his sovereign, in which the Bruce, accompanied by Ronald, and his death of Comyn forms the principal, page Allan, to land in search of game. turns round upon the king with a cold While they are contemplating the dreary stern visage, and questions him why he but sublime scene of the isle, they are should not instantly give him up to the accosted by five vulgar and sulky-featured nan who is thirsting for his blood?-The men, whom Ronald, by the badges on Bruce, with brief and haughty eloquence, their bonnets, supposes to be vassals of justifies the deed politically, but admits, Lorn. These individuals "of evil mien," that as a violation of religious precept, after informing them that their bark, upon it requires atonement. The conception the appearance of an English vessel, and execution of the ensuing stanzas hoisted sail, invite the monarch and his constitute excellence which it would be companions to share with them a deer difficult to match from any other part of they have just slain. The king and his the poem. The surprise is grand and party give a wary assent, and they properfect. Struck with the heroism of Ro- ceed to the cabin of their sullen hosts, bert, the monk foregoes the intended with whom, however, they refuse to sit at anathema, and bursts out into a prophetic the same table, and concert their security annunciation of his final triumph over all for the night by appointing a watch to be his enemics, and the veneration in which kept by one of the company while the his name will be held by posterity. In others repose. Ronald is the first sentithe burthen of these stanzas, nel, and easily maintains his insomnolency by reflections on the charms of Isobel, and plighted faith to Edith of Lorn. The next watch is undertaken by the king, and the royal mind, filled with lofty and anxious thoughts on his own and Scotland's fortunes, defies the approach of sleep. Allan's turn succeeds, and, for a time, the page's eyes are kept tolerably steadfast by the recollection of his boyish haunts and sports, the fond remembrance of his mother,

"I bless thee, and thou shalt be blessed;" closing a series of prophesied misfortunes, there is an energy that immediately makes itself felt, and these few and simple words surpass in effect passages less happy in their application, though more laboured and tortuous in their construction.

Canto the third. Notwithstanding the Abbot's decision, Lorn remains impenitently contumacious, and reproachfully rejects Ronald's proposal of reconcilement with the Bruce. The rebel chief "His little sister's green-wood bower," summons his train, and prepares to depart and all the wildly-fanciful stories of enwith his sister, who, it is now discovered, chantment that delighted the days of his has flown. Terrified by his declared re- childhood. Sleep at length weighs down solution of giving her hand to the earl of his lids, and—he dies by the hand of one of Cumberland, she has taken advantage of the wakeful ruffians. His expiring groan the confusion to quit the castle, under the rouses the king, who instantly dispatches protection, it is supposed, of the abbot. the murderer with one of his own fireHer elopement adds to the exasperation brands. Ronald awakes, and in conjuncof Lorn, and after ordering a galley in tion with the Bruce, speedily masters the pursuit of the fugitive, he leaves Artor- remaining banditti, who in their last monish with a mind galled to madness. With ments confess themselves the sworn liegethe exception of Torquil, lord of Dun- men of Lorn. They lament the sad desvegan, the rest of the chiefs, among whom tiny of Allan, and taking under their proare many who have returned to their alle tection a beautiful but dumb boy, assertgiance, disperse. The king retires to re-ed by the villains to have been rescued pose, under the pledged protection of the Lord of the Isles, who at midnight interrupts his rest, to assure him of his perfect devotion to his cause. With the morning's dawn they prepare to embark for the Isles to excite their martial inhabitants to arms: while prince Edward is charged to convey the lady Isobel for security, to Ireland, and, in his way,

"To muster up each scattered friend."

by them from a shipwrecked bark the preceding day, sorrowfully quit the bloodstained but.

Canto the fourth. Prince Edward returns from his mission with the joyous intelligence of the death of the English monarch, the arming of the patriots, and the arrival of his band in the island of Arran. For Arran they depart in the vessel which conveyed the prince from Ireland;

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