which it was accompanied, is in our estimation entitled to more credit than the frantic ravings of an intoxicated Delphic prophetess. We, therefore, do not hesitate to pronounce with oracular confidence, that once upon a time Dr. Thornton, happening to be left alone in the parlour of a friend, took up a book on astronomy, which lay by chance in the window, or on a table, and opened it at the chapter where an account is given of the discovery made soon after the invention of the telescope, that Venus, in different parts of her orbit, has different phases, like those of the moon; and that unwilling to lose the knowledge which he had thus incidentally obtained, as soon as he got home he carefully entered it in his immense common place book; but through the natural infirmity of his memory, and the habitual confusion of his ideas, he mistook the appearance for the reality, and has ever since believed that Venus has a moon, instead of being in some respects like one. If a nocturnal revelation could stand in need of confirmation, we might produce a strong analogical argument in its support. For what can be more probable than that a writer, who does not discern the difference between a substance and its case, and between a whole and its part, should fancy identity and similarity to be one and the same thing? The affirmative side of the question with respect to the earth's internal heat is, of course, that which Dr. Thornton himself espouses. He agrees with that set of philosophers, who entertain the opinion that it arises from the conflict of elements contained within her bosom. The mention of central fires produces a profusion of learning, and a multitude of quotations poetical and prosaic, occupying, in the form of notes, nine close printed pages, in which, among other curious particulars, all intimately connected with the Sexual System of Linnæus, we are told, that "the Greeks entertained the idea that hell, or place of the manes of departed people, was in the centre of the earth-that the Jews seem to have entertained the same notion, and that hence our Saviour, adapting his discourse to their conceptions, gives the parable of Dives and Lazarus-that the word infernal comes from inferus; and that on the stage these (he leaves us to guess who) are always represented with torches in their hands, and involved in flames-that there is nothing in natural ANN. REV. VOL. II. religion to authorize such a conceptionthat the innumerable stars above us are probably replete with inhabitants, and that we probably pass from one star or world to another star or world, according to our spent lives-that the pre-existence of the human race is supported both by revelation as well as reason—that the wisest of the ancients conjectured that there were no infernal regions and eternity of punishment-that Lucretius is one of these sages-and that the fables of the giants, and of the rape of Proserpine, are descriptive of burning mountains." Earthquakes and volcanos draw our author into another series of notes, to the length of fifteen entire pages, and nearly the whole of almost as many more. In these notes, which are little more than quotations, we are favoured with Bishop Berkley's account of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1717, and Sir William Hamilton's of those in 1779 and 1794-with a description of Mount Etna, and of its eruptions in 1669 and 1755, and of the earthquake at Lisbon in 1755-with the composition and theory of gunpowder, aqua regia, fulminating gold, and fulminating silver-with an explanation of the cause of animal heat, which Dr. Thornton assures us was first discovered and maintained by himself--with the rationale of the affinities of aggregation and composition-with the theory of animal digestion-and with a history of the cases of several persons who have been consumed by an inward combustion. Dr. Thornton, conceiving that he has amply considered the source and influence of heat on the seed, but of which (lost, we suppose, in the mass of multitudinous and multifarious matter which he had heaped about him on every side) he has forgotten to say even a single word, now proceeds to contemplate the power of the electric fluid in promoting the progress of germination. And as he presumes that his readers are no less ignorant of electricity than of botany, -chemistry, and astronomy, he gives them the history of this science; of the various theories which have been formed concerning it by Dr. Franklin, Du Faye, and others; of the identification of the electric fluid with lightning, &c. &c. and then, less forgetful than he had been on the subject of the earth's internal heat, concludes with the experiments of Nellet, Berthollons, and D'Ormay, 19 slew 3 L the influence of electricity on vegeta- tional honour, may more justly be deem ed a national disgrace. tion. So far, or rather so little is this boasted national work advanced in its course. The various evolutions of the seed are not yet explained: the organized structure of the stem and branches, and of their various appendages; the structure and variety of the leaves, and of the evolution from them of oxygen and other airs; the food of plants, and the principles of agriculture; and lastly, the main professed object of the whole, the structure of the flower, with the illustration of the Sexual System, still remain behind. Nor is this all: the history of systems, and the lives of the most eminent botanists are to be given, before Dr. Thornton commences with a translation of the Genera Plantarum. If he had not been a novice indeed in the art of calculation, he must have been sensible that not twelve or fourteen, nor twenty, nor even a hundred numbers, will be sufficient to complete his design in the manner in which he has hitherto conducted it. Sed ohe: jam satis est. The patience of the public must soon be exhausted. As to ourselves, we have not a drop left. Never were lavish promises more scantily realized. When the author himself appears, he exposes, what Dr. Johnson would have called, his inanity. But he is generally willing to avail himself of other men's labours. A very considerable part of the literary composition consists of quotations, most frequently verbatim, from various writers. Two quotations from Milton fill five pages. We have always thought that in the business of quotation, we reviewers are first-rate workmen but in the presence of Dr. Thornton, we hide our diminished heads. His work is, indeed, lit tle more than a piece "of shreds and patches," clumsily stitched together with coarse packthread, and instead of a na But we are reminded that we have unaccountably overlooked the capital beauty of the publication; and that its merits, and its acceptableness with the public, rest chiefly on the excellence, the splendour, and magnificence of the engravings. We have all along been sen sible of it, and in this respect are not at all disposed to be sparing of our praise. Our praise, however, is not needed. The smaller uncoloured botanical plates in general, but especially the larger cofoured ones, do the highest honour to the artists, and will be lasting monuments of the fine taste and masterly execution which characterise the British nation in the present age. But when Dr. Thorn. ton claims a share of the fame, we are reminded of a farce, which, in our playgoing days, afforded us much amusement. It is called, if we mistake not, A Peep behind the Curtain, and is written on the plan of the Duke of Buckingham's celebrated dramatic satire. Its plot turns on the rehearsal of a musical piece, founded on the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, in which some cows are to be introduced, dancing to the lyre of the ancient bard. When every thing else is ready, the cows are wanting, and the prompter is dispatched in haste to enquire the reason of the delay. We quote from memory, and, after a lapse of thirty years, will not vouch for more than the general spirit of the dialoque. "The author," cries the trusty messen. ger out of breath, "is impatient to set his cows: he relies much on them for the success of his piece." "His cows," replies the indignant maker," they are my cows: I know that his play will be nothing without them; and I will have him to know, that vain as he is, he shi not run away with the glory of the carpenter." ART. X. A Description of the Genus Pinus. By AYLMER BOURKE LAMBERT, Esq. F.R. S. Vice President of the Linnean Society. Folio. WE have here another magnificent and costly publication, but of a very different character from the foregoing article. Mr. Lambert, well knowing how to estimate the value of accurate ideas, perspicuous description, and just arrangement, has devoted his attention to the elucidation of a single genus, and has become a valuable addition to the list of monographers in natural history. One of the species of the genus pinus is native of our island, and several others have been so long cultivated among us that they may be considered as nearly naturalized: but the genus itseif has hitherto been inperfectly understood, and the greater number of its species have been very insufficiently discriminated. Linnæus has enumerated only 12 species in the last edition of his Systema Naturæ, and the Hortus Kewensis, though it has treated the subject better than any other work, "does not enumerate all the species that are now known, nor does it distinguish their characters correctly." Mr. Lambert, therefore, with a lauda ble ambition to supply the deficience, and to promote the advancement of useful science, has personally and repeatedly examined those that grow within a considerable distance from the metropolis; has observed them in different periods of their growth; and has particularly attended to the progress of the cones from their first formation to their full maturity. He has also "consulted every author of repute, with a view not only to ascertain the most accurate specific distinctions, but also to collect every fact relative to the culture and uses of each species." As the result of his labours he has now laid before the public, new specific characters, comprehensive lists of synonyms, and minute descriptions in Latin,with various miscellaneous observations in English and as an appendix, an account, written by Dr. Maton, of several substances prepared from different species of pine, and employed in medicine or for other purposes; a let ter from Mr. Davis, of Hommingsham, in Wilts, on the different kinds of timber afforded by the different species; an extract from Coxe's Travels relative to Christiana deal; and a letter from Thomas Marsham, Esq. TR. L. S. on the insects destructive to pines. The whole is illustrated by admirable figures which exhibit a branch of the plant, the inflorescence and the fruit in different stages of its growth; all, for the most part, in their natural size, with magnified dissections of the particular parts both of the flower and fruit. The magnitude of the plates required for this purpose, the excellent execution of the engravings, and the elegant stile in which the letter press part of the work is finished, have so greatly enhanced its cost, as to render it unattainable to many who would wish to be in the number of its purchasers. These luxuries must be reserved for those who can spare as many guineas as are specified in its advertized price. For the benefit of others we will copy Mr. Lambert's new specific characters entire, and abridge such of his observations on each species, as we imagine may be most gra tifying to the lovers of science and rural economy. 1. Pinus sylvestris ; Scotch fir. Foliis geminis rigidis; strobilis junioribus pedunculatis, recurvis dependentibus; antherarum cristâ exiguâ. From this species is obtained what is called in London, yellow deal, in the country red deal, and sometimes, being generally imported from Christiana, Christiana deal. The Scotch fir raised in England is equal to the foreign in weight and durability, but is seldom so fine in the grain, and has a greater quantity of sap. Most species of pine may be made to yield, and many of them produce spontaneously, a remarkable resinous juice usually called turpentine. The true Terebinthus of the ancients is obtained from trees of another genus, called by Linnæus pistachia; but the produce of the Scotch fir is now most commonly used on all occasions when a Terebinthinate juice is wanted, either in medicine or the arts. From this resinous juice is obtained the essential oil of turpentine, by distilling four pounds of it with five pints of water. Common resin is the residuum of the process, which, pushed as far as the nature of the substance will admit, produces black resin or colophony. Tar is obtained from the roots and other parts of old pines, and differs from the native resinous juice in having acquired a disagreeable empyreumatic quality from the action of fire, and in containing the saline and mucilaginous parts of the tree mixed with the extractive and the oily. Pitch is procured by melting coarse hard resin with an equal quantity of tar. 2. Pinus pumilio: the mugho, or mountain pine. Sylvestris y of Aiton, of Gmelin. Foliis geminis abbreviatis strictis; strobilis ovatis, obtusis, minimis; junio-ribus sessilibus erectis. It grows on the tops of the highest mountains where scarcely any other tree is to be found, and often covers with its thick and almost impenetrable branches a very extensive tract. When its branches are broken, a transparent resin of a very fragrant smell exudes, which is collected and sold in the form of a na tive balsam. 3. Pinus banksiana; Labradore pine, sylvestris Aiton. Foliis geminis divaricatis obliquis; strobilis recurvis tortis; antherarum cristâ dilatatâ. This species is very rare in England, three only of any size are known by Mr. Lambert; one at Paine's Hill, Surry; another at Kew, and the third at Crome, the seat of Lord Coventry. 4. Pinus pinaster; cluster pine. Foliis geminis elongatis; strobilis verticillatis confertis, ovatis, sessilibus, pendulis, antherarum cristâ rotundatà. The wood is soft, and in Switzerland is usually either cut into shingle for covering the roofs of houses, or employed for the extraction of pitch. 5. Pinus pinea; stone pine. Foliis geminis; strobilis ovatis maximis, seminum alis abbreviatissimis; antherarum cristâ dentato-lacerâ. The nuts are of a large size, very hard, and contain kernels which have the sweetness of almonds. They are become an article of sale, and may be found in many of the London fruit shops. They possess a nutritive and demulcent quality, but from their oily nature soon become rancid and unfit to be eaten. The proportion of oil in them is, perhaps, greater than in the seed of any other plant; one pound of them yielding five ounces, whereas the same quantity of linseed produces only two ounces and a half. 6. Pinus maritima. Foliis geminis tenuissimis; strobilis ovato-conicis, glaberrimis, solitariis, pedunculatis. The only tree known to Mr. Lambert grows at Sion House. The figure is from a specimen in Sherard's Herba rium. 7. Pinus halepensis; Aleppo pine. Foliis geminis tenuissimis, strobilis ovato-oblongis, reflexis, lævibus, solitariis, pedunculatis. This species is more like a shrub than a tree in England, and never grows to any great height in its native country. It does not well bear the cold of our winters, and is at present very scarce. S. Pinus massoniana; Indian pine. Foliis geminis, tenuissimis, longissimis; vagina abbreviatà; antherarum cristâ dentato-lacera. The figure is taken from a specimen in the Banksian Herbarium, which was brought by Masson from the Cape of Good Hope, where it had been raised from seeds sent from China. The spe cimen has only the male catkin. 9. Pinus inops; Jersey pine, Virginiana of Gmelin. Foliis geminis; strobilis recurvis oblongo-conicis longitudine foliorum; aculeis squamarum subulatis rectis. Most of the pine tribe are very brittle in their texture; but in this species the wood has almost pliability enough to be tied in a knot, and may therefore be useful for hoops, baskets, &c. 10. Pinus resinosa; pitch pine. Foliis geminis; strobilis ovato-conicis sessilibus ternis: squamis medio dilatatis inermibus. One of its most distinctive characters is the uncommon length of the sheath of its leaves. It is a native of North Ame rica. 11. Pinus variabilis; variable leaved bastard pine. Tada y of Aiton. Foliis binatis ternatisque; strobilis ovato-conicis subsolitariis: squamarum aculeis incurvis. Mr. Lambert has not seen more than two trees of this species in England: one at Paine's Hill, the other at Kew. Its native situation is the sea shore of North America. 12. Pinus tæda: frankincense pine. Foliis ternis elongatis; strobilis deflexis: spinis inflexis; vagina foliorum elongatâ. A low tree on the sandy coast of North America, There are two flourishing trees of this species at Sion House, but Mr. Lambert has never found any small flowers upon them. The male catkin is figured from a specimen brought from America by Mr. John Fraser. 13. Pinus rigida; three leaved Virginian pine. Tæda 3 of Aiton. Foliis ternis: strobilis ovatis confertis: squamarum spinis reflexis: vaginá foliorum abbreviata. 14. Pinus palustris ; swamp pine. Foliis ternis longissimis: strobilis subcylindraceis muricatis: stipulis pinnatifidis ramentaceis persistentibus. It abounds in Virginia and Carolina. The wood is soft and light, and very sparingly impregnated with resin. Only two of any size are known by Mr. Lam. bert, one at Kew, and the other at Lord Coventry's. 15. Pinus longifolia; long leaved In. dian pine. Foliis ternis, tenuissimis longissimis, pendulis; stipulis integerrimis, deciduis; antherarum cristà convexâ integriusculâ. A native of the mountain of Napaul in the East Indies, where it grows to the height of more than a hundred feet. Described from a manuscript communication by Dr. Roxburgh. 16. Pinus strobus ; Weymouth pine. Foliis quinis; strobilis folio longioribus, cylindraceis, lævigatis; antherarum cristà geminâ, subulatâ minimâ. First cultivated in England by Lord Weymouth, whence its English name is derived. It abounds most in New York, New England, Nova Scotia, and Canada, where it grows to the height of two hundred feet on the best ground in the vallies, in the crevices of the mountains, and on the banks of rivers, to which the rains and melted snows carry down the fattest parts of the soil of the highest lands. The bark in old trees is abundantly impregnated with a whitish resin, which has a very agreeable odour. The wood is of a yellowish white colour of a tolerable hardness, very fine, almost resembling the white cedar, and works straight, smooth, and shining. taste like oil of juniper, and celebrated by them for its great medicinal virtues in disorders of very opposite characters. The pinus cembra is at present very scarce in the nursery gardens about London, and bears a high price. Flourishing plantations of it are to be seen on Lord Clive's Estate in Shropshire; and in the grounds of Colonel Dixon, of Gledhow, near Leeds, in Yorkshire, by whose father, the late Jeremiah Dixon, Esq. it was propagated from cones pro-> cured in Switzerland. Several trees, two seventy years old, and others about fifty, are also growing at Mill Hill, in Middlesex, the seat of the late Peter Collinson, Esq. and now by a scientific kind of descent, in the possession of that very intelligent and indefatigable botanist, Richard Anthony Salisbury, Esq. 18. Pinus occidentalis; West Indian pine. Foliis quinis longissimis, margine scabris: strobilis oblongis: squamis apice truncatis. Dr. Swartz seems only to have seen trees of this kind without male flowers or fruit, and could procure only a branch 17. Pinus cembra; Siberian stone with leaves, and a cone much mutilated. pine. No figure is given. Foliis quinis: strobilis ovatis: seminum alis obliteratis, antherarum cristâ reniforme crenata. It flourishes most on the mountains of Switzerland and Siberia; is one of the hardiest of the genus, and of the slowest growth, seldom attaining the height of three feet in less than 14 years. Its timber is large, and has a finer grain than common deal, with a remarkably pleasant smell. The flowers have a more beautiful appearance than those of any other species, being of a bright purple colour; as are also the unripe, full grown cones, which have a bloom upon them resembling that of a ripe Orleans plumb. The kernels of the nuts, when stripped of a brownish rind, have the whiteness and softness of a blanched almond: they have an agreeable oily taste, and often form part of a Swiss as well as Siberian dessert; but Dr. Maton says, that when exposed to the air they sooner become rancid than those of the pinus pinea. From the shoots of the pinus cembra, bruised and macerated a month in water, is extracted an essential oil, called by the German writers Carpathian balsam, pellucid, verylia uid, and of a whitish colour, having an odour and 19. Pinus abies; Norway spruce fir. Foliis solitariis tetragonis; strobilis cylindraceis; squamis rhombeis, compla natis, margine repandis erosis. Its wood is called white deal in England; is firm, straight, and regular in the grain; and is capable of resisting moisture for a long time. That which is grown in England is said to be more durable than that which is imported, and is particularly in demand for making ladders. On account of the fineness of its grain, and of its whiter colour, it is much used for cottage tables and other furniture; but in the North of England, at least, it was esteemed less durable than the red deal, and bears an inferior price. We who sometimes rise early in a winter morning and light our own fire when the rest of our household are in bed, know by experience that its chips are much inferior to those of red deal. The common frankincense of the shops is probably no other, or at least is adulterated with, the resinous juice of this tree, which spontaneously exudes from its pores, and soon concretes into distinct drops, or tears. The genuine Burgundy pitch is prepared from this resinous juice. |