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tions. Perhaps the student when he reaches these extracts will be able to master all their difficulties. Dr. Nordheimer has very properly confined himself almost exclusively to the clearing up of difficulties of a grammatical nature. The young reader is only bewildered by exegesis. Besides, the study of grammar and of the mere forms, in the hands of an intelligent instructor, can be made to assume much interest. The poetical division of the work is preceded by a succinct statement of the peculiarities which exist in the structure of Hebrew poetry. The advanced reader, who would wish for more ample details, would do well to read De Wette's Introduction to the Psalms, translated by Prof. Torrey of the University of Vermont, and published in the Bibl. Repos., vol. iii, p. 445, First Series. It being universally admitted that the practice of composing in a foreign tongue is one of the surest means of becoming thoroughly imbued with its spirit, Dr. Nordheimer has inserted at the close of his volume an Exercise in Hebrew Composition, with accompanying auxiliary directions.

The volume will add to the well-established reputation of the author, or rather authors, for the Chrestomathy is to be considered as the joint production of Dr. Nordheimer and of Mr. William W. Turner, both having borne an equal share in the plan and execution of it. We believe that there is but one opinion among all competent judges of the Grammar, to which this Chrestomathy is a supplement, and that opinion is one of high commendation. We shall look with interest for the second volume of the Grammar, which is to embrace a consideration of the syntax. The whole series will exhibit the author as a very able oriental scholar. We hope for corresponding good fruits in the studies and literary character of the country.-American Biblical Repository.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. No. 72. (Jan. 1839.)

This work, the publication of which has for so long a time honored our city and the whole country, is too well known to our readers to need any commendation at our hands. To carry on a scientific journal, in this comparatively new country-to provide for its editorial and pecuniary sustenance through a long course of years-demands more than common courage and energy. Journals of this nature, and indeed periodicals of every kind, are a short-lived race. The journal before us has survived several of its former European contemporaries; it has outlived some rivalry and much apathy, and now stands, with a solitary exception, the oldest quarterly in the land. This position is mainly due to the determined perseverance of its distinguished editor, Professor Silliman. It is scarcely necessary for us to state, that the publication has become identified with American science, and is everywhere received as its accredited representative. It has now arrived at the thirty-sixth volume, and for a year or more has been under the joint superintendence of Prof. Silliman and his son. In their hands it will, we are confident, continue to be liberally and energetically carried on, and be, as it has heretofore been, the great promoter, as well as the storehouse, of American science. The Journal belongs to the whole Union; and it should be the delight, no less than it is

the duty of every man of wealth and intelligence in the land, to do all in his power for its support.

We annex a very summary account of what appear to us the more important articles in the number recently issued. We are of course obliged to be brief, and we earnestly recommend all those who wish to know more of the work to become its patrons without delay.

The first article is by Mr. W. C. Redfield, and treats of the Courses of Hurricanes, and of the Tyfoons or Tornadoes of the China Sea. We gave, in our first number, an account of the important discoveries of this gentleman concerning the nature of these violent storms. This paper is the result of his continued investigations. It corroborates his previous positions, and shows that the law of storms is the same in China as in our own region of the world. The article is extensive, (occupying 22 pages,) and is worthy of the careful attention of all those who feel interested in the philosophy of winds.

Art. 3 is a graphic description, by Rev. John Woods, of a whirlwind storm, witnessed in New-Hampshire in 1821; which, as Mr. W. truly remarks, was undoubtedly such as occasion water-spouts

at sea.

The subject of meteors and shooting stars, which now receives a great share of attention from men of science in all parts of the world, has, we notice, given occasion to no less than four distinct articles in the present number. This Journal has indeed taken the lead in this matter; and the various extensive articles on this subject, which it presented some years since, have been more eagerly sought and more extensively translated and copied abroad than those of any other description. The first paper (art. 2) of the four, is an elaborate account, by Prof. Elias Loomis, of the meteor which passed over the state of New-York, May 18, 1838, about 8 P.M. The results of the observations and calculations are these: that the meteor was about three quarters of a mile in diameter; that it moved with an absolute velocity of about forty miles in a second, in an irregular path, nearly horizontal, but slightly inclined upward. Its average height was about 30 miles above the earth's surface. Prof. L. next compares the phenomena of this meteor with those of shooting stars as heretofore determined, and arrives at the conclusion that "the meteor of May 18 did not differ essentially from the ordinary shooting stars, with the exception of its magnitude.".

Arts. 10 and 20, by Prof. Lovering and Prof. Olmsted, respectively relate to meteoric observations on or about the 13th of November, 1838. At Cambridge, Mass., meteors were somewhat more numerous than usual on the morning of the 14th, but less so than as observed at Middlebury, Vt., and reported in Prof. O.'s paper. At Vienna, (Austria,) as we stated two weeks since, more than a thousand shooting stars were seen in six hours on the morning of the 14th. It thus appears that, for the last eight years, meteors have been uncommonly numerous about the 13th of November.

Art. 19, by Mr. E. C. Herrick, relates to observations made here about the 7th of December, 1838; which, taken in connection with other facts, seem to show that meteors are also unusually numerous at that season of the year.

Art. 4, consists of Notes on American Geology, by Mr. T. A. Conrad, who is known to be uncommonly skilful in fossil geology. Arts. 5, 14, 17, by Dr. C. G. Page, Mr. A. W. Campbell, and Dr. Schweigger, respectively relate to experiments in electro-magnetism, with especial reference to its employment as a moving power.

Art. 6, by Mr. B. Tappan, comprises descriptions and drawings of three new American shells.

Art. 7, by Dr. B. H. Coates, endeavors to show the virtue of the Uvularia perfoliata, in curing poisoned wounds.

Art. 8, covers 46 pages, and is a condensed abstract of the proceedings of the eighth meeting of the British and Foreign Associa tion for the Advancement of Science; an institution which annually contributes large additions to the stock of human knowledge.

Art. 9, by Mr. W. W. Mather, proposes a new and easy method of detecting silver and gold when combined with the ores of other metals. Art. 11, is a notice from Dr. Robert Hare, respecting the fusion of platina, a new ether, &c.

Art. 12, is by Mr. Junius Smith, and sets forth, in a striking light, the importance of steam navigation generally, but more particularly the advantages of steam ships in naval engagements.

Art. 13, by Dr. J. L. Riddell, treats of a new mode of preserving specimens of natural history.

Art. 15, contains much interesting information from Prof. W. M. Carpenter, respecting Opelousas, Attakapas, &c., and some curious observations concerning the rapid bituminization of trees at Port Hudson, on the banks of the Mississippi.

Art. 16, on the liquefaction and solidification of carbonic acid, by Dr. J. K. Mitchell, gives us a full account of the apparatus by means of which this gas is rendered solid, and describes its properties and its probable uses.

Art. 18, by Mr. J. G. Anthony, describes and figures a fossil encrinite, found in Ohio.

Art. 21, is a communication on recent and fossil infusoria, by Prof. Ehrenberg, whose discoveries in this field have been so surprising.

To the articles succeed twenty-five pages of miscellanies, comprising twenty-five distinct notices of much variety and interest; but which for want of room we cannot here particularize.—New

Haven Record.

First Latin Lessons, containing the most important parts of the Grammar of the Latin Language, together with appropriate Exercises in the Translating and Writing of Latin, for the use of beginners. By Charles Anthon, L.L.D. NewYork: Harper & Brothers.

The Harmony of Christian Faith and Christian Character, and the Culture and Discipline of the Mind. By John Abercrombie, M. D., F. R. S. E., author of "Inquiries concerning the Intellectual Powers and the Investigation of Truth," "The Philosophy of the Moral Feelings," &c., &c. New-York: Harper & Brothers. 1839. pp. 146.

ERRATUM.

In the last No., page 109, the word spelled avopóroкTóve should be ανθρωποκτόνος.

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