ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY. We announce with feelings of sincere pleasure, the success of our highly-gifted fellow-countryman, Mr. George Petrie, in having obtained the first prize, a gold medal and fifty guineas, presented by the Royal Irish Academy, for the best Essay upon the origin and use of the Round Towers of Ireland. We trust Mr. Petrie may be induced to submit speedily to the public, the results of his judgment and experience upon one of the most interesting topics connected with Irish antiquities; enhanced, as they will be, of course, by beautiful and accurate illustrations, for which Mr. Petrie's well known and deservedly appreciated taste and ability have long since ranked him among the most distinguished professors of the Fine Arts. ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF IRELAND. A general meeting of the members and friends of this most interesting and useful Society, was held on the 19th of November last, for the purpose of considering the plans of various improvements proposed to be made at the Gardens, in the Phoenix-park, and other matters relative to the furtherance of the interests and welfare of the Society. The following is an abstract of the report : The Treasurer has received since the first general meeting to 1st Nov. £508 5 0 We have voted Mr. Decimus Burton £75 for laying out a plan of your garden, and he very liberally became a life subscriber. He is supposed to be one of the best judges of such constructions, as you require. LIST OF ANIMIALS IN THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. QUADRUPEDS.-Two Wapeti Deer; one Nylghau; four large Zebus ; two small Žebus; one Sambér Deer; one Peccary; one wild Boar; one Bear ; two Foxes; one Otter; one Badger; one Hyena; one Coatimundi ; one Aguati; one Lemur; one Ichneumon; two Squirrels; one Cape Sheep; two Racoons; one Wolf; two Russian 912 8 10 Rabbits; one Boar Hound; two green Monkies; one Bonnet Monkey; one rib nosed Monkey; one Spider Monkey; one black Monkey; one Angola Cat; one Seal; eight small Monkies; seven small Tortoises ; two large ditto. £1,420 13 10 Entire expense since commencement, Balance in Treasurer's www. 1,331 9 9 hands, £89 4 1 The visitors who paid for admission at the garden during the above period amounted to 36,497 persons. There is a building fund in the hands of Mr. Cusack, the produce of a seperate subscription, amounting to £44. Some of the members of your Society are disposed to lend sums of money to be vested in the hands of trustees, for the purpose of erecting buildings required for the animals, for which interest, at 4 per cent. is to be paid, until the principal is discharged. On this arrangement your opinion is requested. BIRDS. TWO Ostriches; two Emus; two Land Eagles; two sea Eagles; two African Cranes; three Golden Pheasants (one hen); two Silver Pheasants; one common Pheasant; Six Owls; one red legged Partridge; six common Partridge; five Canada and Poland Geese; three Wild Ducks ; three Muscovy Ducks; three Peacocks; two Bantam Fowl; four Gulls; one Barnacle; one Pelican; two Macaws; one Cockatoo ; three Parroquetts; five Parrots; three African Doves; one Jay; two Kestrils; one Kite; two Hawks; one Curassow. CRITICAL NOTICES. THE DUBLIN UNIVERSITY CALENDAR for 1833, 1 Vol. small 8vo. Dublin; -WM. CURRY, Jun. & Co. and MILLIKEN & SON. WE Confess that we sat down to the perusal of the Dublin University Calendar, with minds not sufficiently unbiassed, to enable us to speak impartially of its merits. We had long looked in vain for such a record of our University, which should fully develope its chequered and instructive history, and present us with tangible information on a thousand points of interest, connected with a place so endeared to us by association, and possessing such claims on our respect and gratitude. We had learned, besides, somewhat of the progress of the work during the early stages of its advancement, and we felt we might rely much on the powers of the learned gentleman from whose pen it proceeds, while we could not but admire the laborious and determined course he pursued, in draining every source of necessary information, for the fulfilment of the task he had undertaken. With such grounds of prejudice, we repeat, that we took up the volume before us, and yet we think we shall but echo general opinion in saying, that when we sought for an acquaintance with the origin, the annals and the discipline of our University, our desires have been abundantly answered, and whatsoever hopes we naturally entertained, from our knowledge of Mr. Todd's ability, discretion, and research, have been as fully realised. Than the "Historical Introduction' to the University Calendar, we have never met sixty pages filled with more useful and entertaining information : Antiquarian lore, cautious enquiry after facts and dates, and an accurate examination of important MSS, afford strong evidence of the author's unwearied assiduity, and cannot fail to enVOL. I. gage the reader's attention, as well by the comprehensiveness of its style, as the clearness and accuracy of its detail. Commencing with the golden age of Ireland, when she was looked up to by other nations as a model of learning and piety. Mr. Todd gives us a cursory, but distinct view of the ancient extent and flourishing of national erudition-of its decay and disappearance, and, subsequently, of its progresive revival-until, at the present day, it is found enshrined in the Institution of which he has proved himself a no less useful than intelligent member. Each part of this sketch brings with it claims on our consideration-the first, for the view it affords of the primitive national character and pursuits, when the present haunts of violence and superstition were the favourite retreats of religious and scientific seclusion; the next, for its developement of the state that succeeded, and the interest it lends to the early efforts of the University, at permanent iudependence ; the conclusion, for an accurate and graphic record of the ultimate success they gradually at tained. So much we can say, with sincerity, for the historical introduction to the Calendar. The remainder of the volume refers only to the details of College discipline, and the minor facts of its annals, such as its institutions, and their origin, its occupants, and the names of all in any way distinguished, which will be found of deep importance to the student; and, we hesitate not to say, must secure to the University, with any who peruse them and are unacquainted with its merits, a very high place in their admiration and respect. On the whole, we think Mr. Todd's book calculated to disabuse those who are strangers to the Institution, whence it emanates of many unfavourable and prevailing prejudices, and this object we deem especially desirable. One we shall P briefly instance: There has been no re- in our College since its original founproach so frequently or strongly urged dation, and that there is literally not against the Irish University, as that of its one amongst them whose greatest commembers having hitherto taken but lit-pulsory occupations will equal those of tle share in advancing, by personal ex- ours, whose hands are the emptiest. ertions, the literature of the day. “Silent Sister" is a common appellative, and one which, in the mouths of cavillers, is ever supposed sufficient to counter-balance the evident merits of our College, or even efface them altogether. Now, the simple and undeniable facts of the nccessary difficulties and disadvantages of publication in Ireland, and that many of the leading works, which emanate from the English press, are often either conducted by, or altogether the production of the foster children of Alma Mater, will remove the imputation at once from those who but sojourn for a while within her walls, and throw it altogether upon the residents, who have a fixed connection in the establishment. Let then any unprejudiced person, having carefully examined this reasonable view of the subject, which will certainly lead to its adoption, apply to the Dublin University Calendar for the nature and duties of a fellowship, and then say, dispassionately, whether a junior Fellow has time to give his attention to literature unconnected with his profession, averaging, as we do, the number of students at eighteen hundred, and his own pupils at one-eighteenth of that aggregate; or if it be reasonable to expect that a Senior Fellow, himself fulfilling duties of importance, being occupied continually with the arduous task of arranging and regulating the academic government, could possibly make the brief leisure he enjoys available for the purposes so unfairly required. Again, let any one examine the similar records of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, so boasted of for their literary renown by these cavillers at our own, and he will find that the number of dignitaries in either, at any time, will exceed the entire number of those in ours since its foundation. We find, by reference to the Calendar, that since the foundation of the Dublin University, a period of nearly three hundred years, there have been only four hundred and sixty Fellows. Now, the number of Fellows and ex-Fellows, in connexion with the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, are almost as many at present as the whole number We would fearlessly appeal to the issue of such an investigation of this subject, or rather proudly anticipate the awardment of praise and admiration, that so many high and renowned names are to be found in the long list of our dignitaries, as will appear in the pages of the University Calendar. A letter of the famous Archbishop Usher to Dr. Challoner, quoted by Mr. Todd, (p. 39-40,) will prove that the view we have taken of this subject was even in his early time thrown into a powerful light; nor will the fact of six being about the number of Fellows at that period, although they now amount to twenty-six, at all invalidate our argument, when we remember the far more than proportionable increase of the number of students to the present day, and the duties attendant thereon. In conclusion, we think the Dublin University, in which he holds such a distinguished rank, much indebted to Mr. Todd for the vindication and apology he has best offered for her in the unvarnished detail of the facts of her Institution and history, while we are pleased to discover that he is not the only person connected with Trinity College, who, in common with ourselves, is just now canvassing the approbation of the public in print. The University Calendar, we feel, we may safely recommend to the Antiquarian for its research-to the Historian for its accuracy-to the Student for its discipline, and a faithful record of all prizes and honors-the latest examination for the most important of the latter, being fully and accurately de tailed-and to all, generally, who feel an interest in the scene of youthful competition and instruction, and of their own early probation and ambition. We most warmly recommend this work to all who seek for information on a subject connected with the best interests of society, and feel highly gratified at such an authentic document issuing from the press at the present period-by appealing to which the cavils of the ignorant declaimer may at once be decidedly refuted, and the friends of the establishment supplied with conclusive arguments to defend the interests of the Dublin University. HUMBOLT'S TRAVELS, by W. Macgill vray. Being Volume 10 of the Edinburgh Cabinet Library. Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh, 1832. We have never had a problem of more difficult solution connected with the human mind, than that afforded by the character of Baron Vor. Humboldt; how it was possible that qualities hardly ever coexistent in the same individual could be all united in this one person, has been a subject of astonishment and wonder to us since we first remember to have read any of his works. How the disposition and mental powers of a philosopher, worthy of the highest rank in all the various departments of natural and physical science, possessing extended knowledge of Geology, Mineralogy, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology, could be united with a minute acquaintance with Political Economy and Statistical research, has been to us an almost inexplicable fact, the more so, as these acquirements are generally the results of a life of retirement, and the studies requisite for them, almost universally productive of settled and sedentary habits; and yet, such is Humboldt; with the mental powers and knowledge of Cuvier or Browne, are united the enterprising spirit and untiring perseverance of Clapperton or Parry, and long would the general reader have remained ignorant of such a man, had not the compiler of the work before us possessed the industry and perseverance to wade through his voluminous and laboured works, and to select such portions as are sufficient to give an adequate, and, at the same time, popular idea of them; connecting these extracts by such judicious remarks or comments, as make the book valuable both to the general and scientific reader; to the latter of whom it will be of infinite service, as a book of reference, many preferring uncertainty to the labour of consulting the voluminous and frequently inaccessible tomes of Baron Humboldt. We would be happy if we had space to devote to it, to present several passages to our readers, we will however extract one or two, which will enable them to judge of some of the difficulties and dangers our traveller underwent during his researches, and enable the reader to judge of the courage requisite for the task: Bushes of sauso (Hermesia castaneifolia) formed along the margins a kind of hedge about four feet high, in which the jaguars, tapirs, and peccaries, had made openings for the purpose of drinking; and as these animals manifest little fear at the approach of a boat, the travellers had the pleasure of viewing them as they walked slowly along the shore, until they disappeared in the forest. When the sauso-hedge was at a distance from the current, crocodiles were often seen in parties of eight or ten, stretched out on the strand motionless, and with their jaws opened at right angles. These monstrous reptiles were so numerous, that throughout the whole course of the river there usually five or six in view, although the waters had scarcely begun to rise, and hundreds were still buried in the mud of the savannahs. A dead individual which they found was 17 feet 9 inches long, and another, a male, was more than 23. This species is not a cayman or alligator, but a real crocodile, with feet dentated on the outer edge like that of the Nile. The Indians informed them, that scarcely a year passes at San Fernando without two or three persons being drowned by them, and related the history of a young girl of Urituco who, by singular presence of mind, made her escape from one. Finding herself seized and carried into the water, she felt for the eyes of the animal, and trust her fingers into them; when the crocodile let her loose, after biting off the lower part of her left arm. Notwithstanding the quantity of blood which she lost, she was still able to reach the shore by swimming with the right hand." The following account is given in p. 200, than which nothing can more strongly exhibit the miseries the inhabitants of the banks of the Orinoko and its tributary streams are exposed to from the innumerable noxious and dangerous reptiles with which the country abounds: "In the night they forded the Rio Urituco, which is filled with crocodiles remarkable for their ferocity, although those of the Rio Tisnao in the neighbourhood are not at all dangerous, They were shown a hut or shed, in which a singular scene had been witnessed by their host of Calabozo, who, having slept in it upon a bench covered with leather, was awakened early in the morning by a violent shaking, accompanied with a horrible noise. Presently an alligator two or three feet long issued from under the bed, and darted at a dog lying on the threshold, but missing him ran toward the river. When the spot where the beuch stood was examined, the dried mud was found turned up to a considerable debth, where the alligator had lain in its state of torpidity or summer sleep. The hut being situated on the edge of a pool, and inundated during part of the year, the animal had no doubt entered at that period and concealed itself in the mire. The Indians often find enormous boas, or water-serpents, in the same lethargic state." "Humboldt relates that, at the time of his stay at Angostura, an Indian from the island of Margarita having gone to anchor his canoe in a cove where there were not three feet of water, a very fierce crocodile that frequented the spot seized him by the leg and carried him off. With astonishing courage he searched for a knife in his pocket, but not finding it, thrust his fingers into the animal's eyes. The monster, however, did not let go his hold, but plunged to the bottom of the river, and, after drowning his victim, came to the surface and dragged the body to an island. "The number of individuals who perish annually in this manner is very great, especially in villages where the neighbouring grounds are inundated. The same crocodiles remain long in the same places, and become more daring from year to year, especially, as the Indians assert, if they have once tasted human flesh. They are not easily killed, as their skin is impenetrable, the throat and the space beneath the shoulder being the only parts where a ball or spear can enter. The natives catch them with large iron hooks baited with meat, and attached to a chain fastened to a tree, After the animal has struggled for a considerable time, they attack it with lances." p. 286. The above extracts will give our readers some notion of the nature of this most interesting book, which we recommend most warmly to their no tice. ALPHABET OF BOTANY FOR THE USE A CONSPECTUS OF BUTTERFLIES AND by his Scientific Alphabets, the wants so long felt by the student, of a series of popular and clearly intelligible analyses of the subjects whose names are stated in his catalogue.— Judging from the two little volumes which have already appeared, we may speak with confidence of a similar success being deservedly ensured to those which are soon to follow, and which, from the ingenuity and tact which Mr. Rennie has already evinced in his combination of simplicity with accuracy, and amusement with instruction, cannot fail to be equally attractive as the former, even to those whose inclinations or pursuits will not admit of a deeper, or more extended research in these most interesting and delightful branches of natural knowledge. : In his plan of the publication prefixed to the Alphabet of Botany, Mr. Rennie makes a most excellent observation upon a defect, but too palpable, in the treatises which formed part of the Library of Useful Knowledge: They are positively unintelligible to ordinary readers, owing to a mistake but too apt to prevail among those, who, being themselves complete masters of a subject, forget to supply the data, or the first principles of their theories, without which it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for a beginner to attempt making any progress. This is by no means the case with Mr. Rennie, who, by the very conciseness and completeness of his arrangement, has given sufficient proof of his own ability, without confounding or disheartening the efforts of the tyro. In his preface to the 'Conspectus' there are some very entertaining remarks upon the ridiculous obscurity of what have been hitherto miscalled Scientific' appellatives, and which, as Mr. Rennie aptly observes, are a " uniform tissue of pedantic barbarisms, not for the diffusion, but the concealment of knowledge;" for example, fluvous and luteous for yellow, griseous for grey, ochraceous fuscous, meaning, as Mr. Rennie conjectures, a dusky buff, &c. After an attentive perusal of the Alphabet' and Conspectus,' we feel that we should be guilty of an injustice both to the public, and the author, if we were not to express ourselves highly gratified ; there being, so far as we are competent to decide, no possible objection to the style and classification of the contents, |