parts so sterile, that not even these can exist in them. The caravans, however, usually follow a track, which is known, and where grass and water may be found at certain seasons of the year. There are several tracks, or, as they are called, "trails," that cross from the frontier settlements of the United States to those of New Mexico. Between one and another of them, however, stretch vast regions of desert country-entirely unexplor ed and unknown-and many fertile spots exists, that have never been trodden by the foot of man. Such, then, my young friend, is a rough sketch of some of the more prominent features of the Great American Desert. [Reid's English Family Robinson. For the Miscellany. MY LITTLE STAR. BY J. G. SCOTT. How delicate yon twinkling star of even If it be left to mortal man to tell The place in which his longing soul shall dwell, To that lone star how swiftly would I fly Thro' heaven's expanse I ne'er would wish to roam, Away from toil, and sin, and strife, and war, Far, far, from friends and lov'd ones, I would be A lonely hermit of Infinity. With boundless admiration to my soal, In silent grandeur; and adore to see But oh when God in dreadful wrath shall come, 'Tis true-then I will dream of bliss no more; For the Miscellany SHE WAS A LITTLE FAIRY THING. BY M. H. RICE. She was a little fairy thing, Her eye was softly blue; Fair flaxen curls but half concealed A cheek of roseate hue; While round her, sweet simplicity Her spotless mantle drew. She was a little fairy thing, But ah! no sister played No brother marked her footsteps when Yet, often from her favorite flower, On heaven's ethereal blue. She loved the mystery of the storm, Though she was but a tiny thing She early loved the place Where God vouchsafes to sinful men His messages of grace; And many a wistful glance she bent Upon the preacher's face. She was a little fairy thing, But not too young to die; I saw her on her soft low couch, How many of the wise and great Have sought in vain the way Which this frail child so meekly trođ To everlasting day; And pangless was the sigh that told A spirit sped away. Grand Blanc, 1852. GEOLOGY. BY DR. BAIRD. 261 having extended correct general views of the distinctions of classification of strata. In 1793, an Englishman, William Smith, achieved a great advance in geology by his classification of the strata of some portions of his country; and in 1815 he gave to the world a survey of England, in which the strata During this period many of the most ingewere discriminated by their organic remains. nious minds were devoting themselves to similar researches. In 1807, the formation Ir was at the beginning of the XVIth certury that geological facts first awakened attention and inquiry; and within the next two hundred years they had accumulated to a considerable number, especially in Italy, and had given rise to much speculation. During the latter part of the XVIIth cen- of the London Geological Society took place tury, a variety of theories had been proposed for the explanation of such facts as were most honorably connected its name with the -an association which has materially and then known-theories which serve at pres-subsequent progress of Geology in England ent only to indicate to what an extent the| wonder and curiosity of inquiries had been awakened. Buffon had proposed a theory which found advocates till the close of that century. The two Bertrands had originated others in Switzerland and France; and several theorizers in England and Germany had obtained similar distinction by the same means. These theories were of a character In the mean time the study of fossils was in various countries. Lamarck and Defrance pursued with great genius and enthusiasm determined the fossil shells in the neighborhood of Paris, and in 1811, the memorable work of Cuvier and Brogniart, "On the Environs of Paris," constituted an epoch in geological science. Cuvier's discovery of many species of vertebrated animals in the basin of Paris, some of them of immense size and of the most extraordinary charac the most visionary and capricious. The first regarded our earth as having been struck off from the sun, while in a heated state, by a comet-another, as having been originally ter, stimulated naturalists throughout Eua mass of ice-and upon each of them the rope to more extended examinations of the few established facts were explained, by calling in any agencies which might seem adequate to such effects. tertiary strata, from which they have since reaped an ample harvest of most important facts. The restoration of more than forty species of extinct quadrupeds, principally of the pachydermata, attests the extent and the success of his labors. Other observers, however, as Saussure in the Alps, and Pallas in Siberia, confined themselves to the collection of facts, and accumulated materials which have proved of Another most remarkable group of anigreat value to their successors. At the close mals,-the Saurian,-was brought to light of that century, the interest of the scientific principally by the geologists of England.world was, concentrated upon two theories In 1816, Sir Everard Home ascertained that, which long divided the suffrages of the learn- among the fossil remains of England, were ed. Werner, a Professor in Saxony, con- some which it was impossible to arrange tended that all rocks were deposited by wa- with any known class of animals. The aniter, and this was known as the Neptunian mal thus referred to was named the Ichthyotheory; while in Scotland, Hutton taught saurus, as intermediate between fishes and that the unstratified rocks had been deposited lizards. Another still more nearly approachin a melted state, and his theory was designa- ing the lizard, was discovered by Conybeare, ted accordingly as the Plutonian. The lat- in 1821, and named Plesiosaurus. These ter of these views has, with important mo- were marine genera. At a somewhat later difications, been adopted by most subsequent day, Dr. Buckland designated another, and geologists; yet to Werner is due the credit of a terrestrial genus, as the Megalosaurus, and, finally, Dr. Mantell brought to light the most gigantic of them all--the Iguanodon—a herbivorous reptile of nearly 100 feet in length. There are now at least eighty species of these fossil reptiles known, many of them of immense size and some of extraordinary character. They have been divided by Dr. Buckland into four groups,-the Marine, Terrestrial, Amphibious, and Flying Reptiles. The depth of British strata investigated and found to be fossiliferous, was estimated, in 1840, at six and a half miles. Prof. Rogers, of Pennsylvania, estimated the American strata below the coal as of much greater thickness than the European. Many important questions, which have arisen during the course of these investigations, have been successfully solved. Among The curiosity and wonder excited by such these no single one was attended with greata series of discoveries, greatly stimulated the er difficulty than that of determining the ardor of inquirers, and a great number of ob- equivalence of the strata of different regions, servers now pursued investigations, which a work which required the most careful exhad proved so fruitful of novel and brilliant animation of the fossil remains of distant results. Many of the most acute and philo- formations. The identity of the compact sophical minds of the age have been, and still marbles of Italy and Greece, with the loose are, engaged in efforts to solve the problems limestones which form the Oolitic series of which geology offers to our examination.- England, was pointed out by Dr. Buckland, The investigations of Agassiz, upon the fos- in 1820, and his view has since been fully sil fish, published in two separate works in confirmed. The determination of hundreds Neuchatel in 1834, and in England, in 1835, of shells by most skilful conchologists, was have resulted in a new and admirable classi-requisite to decide the position of some of fication of that branch of physical science. the calcareous beds of Germany, as comparMore recently the observations of the same gentleman upon the glaciers of Switzerland and the erratic blocks, have opened a new field of investigation in the ice period. ed with the formations of Great Britain. More recently, however, this effort has been so far extended that the general system of the rocks is now universally agreed upon, The fossil plants were first fully investiga- and is understood over the whole of Europe, ted by Brogniart. The number of species and of eastern North America. In more which he had ascertained, 1836, amounted to distant countries, however, the equivalence 527, which have since increased to about two of strata with those already known, is more thousand. As a large proportion of plants doubtful, though investigation is rapidly enwould disappear during the process of fossil-larging our knowledge in every direction.— ization, fungi, mosses, &c., the aggregate, it Humboldt has labored to extend the docis supposed, ray have approached the exist-trine of geological equivalence, as shown in ing number. One-half of the whole are contained in the caroniferous series, before the great herbivorous quadrupeds existed. The earliest well-characterized plants hitherto ascertained are coniferous trees at the base of the old red sandstone. Their discovery is due to the protracted investigations of Hugh Miller, in a field, whose fruitfulness he had the merit of discovering. the rocks of Europe, to those of the Andes The equivalence of the strata of NewYork. with those of Europe and northern Asia, was determined, in 1846, by M. de Verneuil, who determined the fact that no country offers so complete and uninterrupted a development of the Devonian system as this State. Geological science has been greatly indebted for its progress to the accurate surveys which various governments have order The species of fossil fish number about two thousand. They have grown to this number under the hand of Prof. Agassized. The surveys of the European coast, unThe number which Cuvier had distinguished dertaken for military and commercial puramounted to only ninety-two. poses, have furnished opportunity of geolo gical observation also. Extended geological raising the Scandinavian peninsula. Facts investigations have been accomplished of all at present are not sufficiently numerous to the more important European countries. authorize any confident conclusion. American geology has been greatly indebted to the same aid. The several States have almost universally instituted surveys for economical as well as scientific purposes. Among the most distinguished of these, are those of Massachusetts, which were made, in 1833, by Prof. Hitchcock, and New-York, which were undertaken, in 1836, by several gentlemen of scientific distinction, and contemplated a general survey of the Natural History of the State, The United States Governinent has had geological surveys made of some extended regions of the interior of the country; and the Expedition, under Captain Wilkes, has made a most valuable contribution to science in this branch, in the work of Professor Dana. There are in every department of geology questions of great interest awaiting their solution. M. de Beaumont has suggested a theory of the contemporaneous elevation of parallel mountain-chains, which has attracted much attention. More recently, a different view has been taken, which attributes them to the contraction of the earth's crust. Among the more interesting points which are regarded as settled, may be mentioned the very recent appearance of man upon the globe, and the termination of creation with the formation of man, as no single species can be shown to have originated since this modern period. range. ENGLISH LUXURIOUSNESS. FEW of us whose lives are passed in republican simplicity, have any definite idea of the amount of wealth and splendor that surrounds many of the English nobles in their princely residences. An intelligent American, writing from England, describes some of these things:: "The Earl of Spencer's homestead, about sixty miles from London, comprises ten thousand acres, tastefully divided into parks, meadows, pastures, woods, and gardens.His library, called the finest private library in the world, containing fifty thousand volumes. Extensive and elegant stables, greenhouses and conservatories, game-keepers' houses without number-go to complete the establishment. Hundreds of sheep and cattle graze in the parks about the house. The Duke of Richmond's home farm at Goodward, sixty miles from London, consists of twenty-three thousand acres, or over thirty-five square miles. And this is in crowded England, which has a population of 16,000,000, and an area of only 50,000 square, or just 32.000,000 of acres, giving were the land divided, but two acres to each inhabitant. The residence of the Duke is a complete palace. One extensive hall is covered with yellow silk and pictures in the The highest authorities agree in denying richest and most costly tapestry. The dishthe possibility of the transmutation of lower es and plates upon the table are all of porinto higher forms of organic life, and gene-celain, silver and gold. Twenty-five raco rally in affirming the diffusion of each spe-horses stand in the stable, each being concies from a single point through its whole signed to the care of a special groom. A grotto near the house, the ladies spent six Two theories at present divide the geologi-years in adorning. An aviary is supplied cal world, in respect to the method and the with every variety of rare and beautiful agencies by which the earth's changes have been produced. One view attributes the phenomena to the violent action of causes not now equally influential; the other, represented by Lyell, to the long-continued action of causes such as those which are now birds. Large herds of cattle, sheep and deer, are spread over the immense lawns. The Duke of Devonhire's palace at Chatsworth, is said to excel in magnificence, any ther in the kingdom. The income of the Duke is one million dollars per year, and he is said to spend it all. In the ground about the house, are kept four hundred head of cattle, and fourteen hundred deer. The kitchen garden contains twelve acres, and is filled with almost every species of fruit and vegetables. A vast aboretum connected with the establishment, is designed to contain & sample of every tree that grows. There is also a glass conservatory 387 feet in length, 112 feet in breadth, 66 in height, covered by 76,000 square feet of glass, and warmed by seven miles of pipes containing hot water.One plant was obtained from India, by a special messenger, and is valued at $10,000. One of the fountains near the house, plays 276 feet high, and is said to be the highest jet in the world. Chatsworth contains 3500 acres, but the Duke owns ninety-six thousand acres in the county of Derbyshire.-ly to commend thee to Him who can give Within, the entire palace is one vast scene of eyes to the blind and ears to the deaf. the Holy Spirit has opened the heart, and the light of the knowledge of God, in the face of Jesus Christ, shines into it, the ice melts, the enmity dies, and faith, love and hope spring up. There are peace and joy then, joy which sorrows render more intense and precious. To an individual who has such views and affections, how can the condition of him who is without God and without hope in the world, be otherwise than pitiable in the extreme? How can we help taking the impenitent by the hand, saying, I am distressed for thee, my brother, my sis ter? Of the thoughts which fill the soul with glory and blessedness, thou art altogether ignorant. For the purest and most lasting joys thou hast no heart. Would I could help thee. But all I can do, is earnest paintings sculpture, mosaic work, carved wainscoting, and all the elegance and luxury within the reach of almost boundless wealth and highly refined taste." THE MUSIC OF A PEACEFUL THE WONDERFUL REPUBLIC. Ar the present time, republics and republicanism are very exciting topics. A large portion of the people of Europe doubt whether nations are capable of self-government. Most of the glorious old republics of Europe have gone down, and some of them are now under shameful despotism. The eyes of the world are turned towards our Union; and it is hoped we shall prove that education, virtue, and industry will fit any people to govern themselves. ever existed, that they may ascertain the means by which they rose to prosperity, and the misfortunes or faults which hastened their downfall. WHAT is all music, compared with what the child of God knows? He beholds immeasurably more than all the handiworks of the Infinite One-he beholds the peculiar glory of the Great Father, shining with singular grace in the face of Jesus Christ. He beholds the harmonious union of compassion For these reasons people are deeply interand holiness. Their separate crowns are ce-ested in the history of all republics that have mented by the blood of the cross into one doubly radiant diadem. A voice from the midst of the throne comes in the gentlest whispers to his soul, bidding him to be of good cheer, because he who was dead, and is alive again, is his friend. When the venal sun smiles on the snow-clad earth, the floods descend and the winds blow. But at length the silent and gentle influence of the sky prevails. The earth returns the smile to the heavens. She walks around the throne of her God in robes of the loveliest hue, bespangled with flowers of every color. When Ancient Greece and Rome fell by their luxury and vice; and those splendid States of Northern Italy, Venice, Verona, Genoa, &c., which became republics just after the dark ages, have all disappeared but ONE, the most ancient of them all, which still retains the freedom it has held for fifteen hundred years. You may suppose that this wonderful re |