ready described in our list of the MSS, p. 218. reads a 20μMOUTO TN; seventy-nine years; and in this reading agree the MSS. numbered, 14, 15, 16, 18, 25, 38, 55, 57, 68, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79. 106, 107, 108, 120, 121. 128, 129, 130, 131, 134 & 135, and also the Catena of Nicephorus, the Aldine and Alexandrian editions, together with the first and second Arabic, the Sclavonic, and two of the Armenian versions. Other variations, such as 75, 70 & 29, are found in the MSS., but the authority on which they stand, is not respectable. The number 79, not 179, we may safely conclude to be the genuine and original reading of this version. These are the principal variations on the numbers in the above tables, that we have noticed in Dr. H.'s Collations; the use and application of which we cheerfully leave to our chronological readers. On the celebrated controversy, between the Jews and the Samaritans, concerning the Divine command Deut. xxvii. 4. to build an altar on mount Ebal, according to the Jews, or on mount Gerizim according to the Samaritans, we were in hopes of finding some information from Dr. H's Collations: but on turning to the place, we found all the MSS. obstinately attached to the Jewish cause, affording not the slightest evidence that the word Gerizim had ever existed here in any copy of the Septuagint version. We were greatly surprised however to find, that in his collation of Versions, Dr. H. should not have consulted that Arabic version, a copy of which is preserved in the Bodleian Library, and numbered 3128, where the reading in this place is, Miles& fee jebele Gireczeem, upon mount Gerizim. Perhaps the prejudice that this MS. contains a literal translation of the Samaritan Pentateuch, prevented the Dr. from consulting it; as he only proposed to collate those which were professedly made from the Septuagint version*. We must here close our remarks on this version in general, and on the volume before us in particular, having already extended this article to such a length, as only the importance of the subject could justify; we shall therefore comprize what more we deem worthy of attention, in the following observations. 1. That the Septuagint translation was the first instrument of diffusing the knowledge of the true God in the Gentile world. The Scriptures, which were before locked up from almost all the in On the controversy, between the Jews and Samaritans, relative to Ebal and Gerizim, our readers may consult Dr. Kennicott's State of the printed Hebrew text, (Dissertation the first ;) in which, upon the Dr.'s reasoning, they will find the controversy decided in favour of the Samaritana habitants habitants of the earth, except the Jews, were introduced by this version to the most powerful and polished nations in the world; and there is sufficient evidence, that the most eminent of the heathen philosophers and writers had not only seen these sacred books, but availed themselves of their contents. 2. That the Hebrew text of the Old Testament could not have been properly understood but through the medium of this translation, as no other writings in the pure Hebrew exist. 3. That there are many words and forms of speech in the New Testament, the true inrport of which cannot be known, but by their use in the Septuagint. 4. That this version preserves many important words, some sentences, and several whole verses, which originally made a part of the Hebrew text, but have long ago entirely disappeared. 5. That this is the version and this only, which is constantly used and qaroted in the Gospels, and by the Apostles; and which has thereby received the highest sanction which any writings can possibly receive. 6. That by the collation of the ancient MSS. of this venerable version, the original text of the Septuagint is likely to be restored to a very great degree of accuracy. 7. That no printed edition of this work exhibits more than a comparatively correct view of the primitive state of this translation; as the Editors of these editions often forced their MSS. into a compliance with printed copies of the Hebrew text. 8. That Dr. Hohnes's work, as far as it is published, fur-` nishes ample materials to detect spurious passages and mar-, ginal glosses, which, through the lapse of time and careless-, ness of transcribers, had become incorporated with the text; that the completion of the work, according to the specimen already offered to the public, is earnestly to be desired, and that it will be as honourable to the British Nation, as it will be serviceable to the interests of true religion, and creditable to the cause of Divine Revelation. With what precision this undertaking has been executed, it is impossible for us to ascertain; but from the general appearance of this volume, the accuracy of such citations as it was in our power to verify, and the literary eminence of those who either undertook or superintended the collations at home or abroad, we have no doubt of the correctness and fidelity of the work: and we have reason to think that nothing has been neglected, that might advance it as near as possible to immaculate perfection. It will be pleasing to many of our readers to see the following eminent Persons in the list of Dr. Holmes's foreign associates; names which would reflect honour upon any undertaking. Professor, Professor SCHNURRER, of Tubingen. Christian Frederic MATHAI of Wirtemberg. F. C. ALTER, Professor of Greek and Philosophy, at Vienna. BREDENCAMF, Sub-rector of the Academy of Bremen, eminent for his knowledge of Armenian literature. HERTZOG, of Basil. MOLDENHAWER, of Copenhagen. Professor MELLMAN, of Moscow. Vincent FERRIERA, of Evora in Portugal. Messrs. BALDI, and SPALLETTI, both of the Vatican. Ang. Mar. BANDINI, Præfect of the Medicean Library. Drs. BIANCA, and DE PEREGO, of the Ambrosian College, and Library of Milan, &c,c. And the following at home, who have all ceased from their labours. Dr. Henry OWEN, well known by his disquisitions on the Septuagint. Dr. C. WOIDE, the Editor of the New Test. part of the Codex Alexandrinus. Rev. S. HARPUR, of the British Museum. Art. IV. A Series of Essays, Introductory to the Study of Natural History. By Fenwick Skrimshire, M.D. &c. In two volumes. 12mo pp. 375. Price 7s. Johnson 1805. 'HE determination of the course of European education and studies to the physical sciences, is a circumstance which has strongly influenced the prevailing tone of mind, during the last fifty years. Its effects have been important, and its benefits great as well as extensive. Yet we have to lament, that, in numerous instances, human imbecility or perverseness has turned the most valuable pursuits into occasion of just personal contempt. Collection and classification, exclusively, have been the anxious study and the frivolous toil of many an empty mind, which has thought itself a marvellous proficient in Botany, Conchology, or Entomology. A cabinet well filled with specimens, and a memory with nomenclature, is the acme of scientific erudition with many, who do not know, or will not consider, that those acquisitions, valuable and necessary as they are, form only the instrumental means of science. We have therefore, with much satisfaction, observed that the well-directed aim of these little volumes, is to counteract this absurd and vicious mode of pretended study. They consist of a series of connected Essays, not merely on the arrangement, but on the philosophy, of natural history; presenting, in a clear, judicious, and interesting form, many important particulars on the the qualities, habits, and uses, of the leading genera and species in each class. Dr. Skrimshire states in his preface, that his • Intention is to make his readers acquainted with the full extent and important advantages of the study of Natural History; and, by selecting many useful as well as interesting topics of inquiry, to instil into the reader's mind a thirst for further knowledge, and for a more intimate acquaintance with the science. It cannot therefore properly be called an elementary work, though it contains a concise view of the classification of natural objects; neither does the author profess it to be a system of Natural History. It is calculated rather for the general reader, who desires only to be acquainted with the extent of the science, its general divisions, and the particular objects of inquiry which each branch comprises.' Pref. Vol. III-IV. The first Essay is on the Object and Utility of the Study of Natural History. After addressing several well-selected remarks and examples, it concludes with a concise and animated reference to the striking proofs of the Creator's infinite wisdom, power, and goodness, which attend and reward these pursuits. Disgusted as we have often been at the impious, if not atheistic, silence of many celebrated works in Natural History, with respect to the All-glorious and Supreme Cause and End of the vast universe, we are proportionably gratified when we meet with the acknowledgement of God. We rejoice in being able to point out and recommend this addition to the list of those truly valuable works, which, to the praise of scientific merit, unite that of exhibiting the most pleasing views of the plans of providence,' and inculcating the homage which the CREATOR rightfully claims from the work of his own power. The succeeding seven Essays comprize a discursive view of the Classes and Orders, and, under each Order, of the most interesting Genera and Species, in the Animal Kingdom. We shall extract, as a specimen of Dr. S.'s entertaining and instructive manner, part of his remarks on the first order of the class Aves. "The general appearance of the Accipitres, or birds of prey, bespeaks their character, and their mode of procuring sustenance. Their beaks are hooked, strong, and notched at the point; and the neck strong and muscular, to enable them to strike their prey with force. Their legs are short and muscular, and their talons sharp and crooked, to force down, and keep their prey upon the ground, or to grasp it in their claws, and soar away with it. Their sight is so piercing, that oftentimes, when so high as to be out of human ken, they can descry their prey upon the ground; and their flight is so rapid, that they can dart upon it with the celerity of a meteor. Their prey varies, according to their strength and rapacity, from the lamb or kid, which the vulture bears away in his talons, to the smaller birds and mice, on which the hawk and owl tribes feast. To To prevent the depredation that they would otherwise commit, Nature has ordained that this tribe of birds should be the least prolific; few of them lay more than two eggs. The farmer ought never to disturb the owls that frequent his barns, for the number of mice which they destroy is immense. They devour the whole animal, and have the power of afterwards rejecting the skin and bones in the form of balls or pellets, which are frequently found in hollow trees or other haunts. As mice, the chief food of the common owl, come out in the evening only, and are very nimble, as well as easily alarmed, Nature has given the owl a peculiar structure in the eye, by which it is enabled to see with much less light than other animals; and from the same cause it is almost blind in a strong light: and this bird is moreover enabled to fly with less noise than any other, and of course with less danger of giving the alarm to its prey, in consequence of a peculiar softness of the feathers, and a serrature of their external edges. The second order, Picæ, includes birds of very different habits, and therefore they have no great peculiarities of structure in common, Some of them feed on grubs, worms, and insects; as the rook, the starling, and others: some on fruit, and berries; as the magpie, jay, and fieldfare. The king-fisher lives on fish; and the woodpecker on insects, which it is enabled to detect, and procure from behind the bark of trees; for this purpose all the woodpeckers are furnished with large strong wedge-shaped beaks to penetrate the tree, and long taper tongues, with a hard bony substance at the end, to extract the insects and their eggs. The humming bird extracts its food from flowers, with its forked tongue, while on the wing. In this particular, and in its mode of flight, it very much resembles a lepidopterous insect of the genus sphinx, and may therefore be considered as one of the conneeting links in Nature's chain. Rooks are remarkably fond of the grubs of beetles, particularly of the cock-chafer; and by the destruction of this injurious insect, they more than repay the farmer for any mischief which they may do his grain. Indeed they ought rather to be encouraged, than driven away from new sown land; for it is to the springing crop that grubs and slugs are particularly detrimental, and especially in land first ploughed up from the sward. It has been observed, that the destruction of a rookery has been followed by the destruction of whole crops in the neigh bourhood, in consequence of the immense increase of grubs and slugs. pp. 73-76. From Essay VI. on the Insect class, we select the following just reflection, and serviceable information. Not only from the weak and unenlightened, but from the philosopher too, who has studied and admired the more stupendous acts of the Creator, the entomologist has often met with derision, and with ridicule, for examining the structure, the instincts, and the arts of a spider, or a fly. But what is size in the all-comprehensive eye of the universal Architect ? As with respect to time, a thousand ages are to him but as a day, and a day as a thousand ages; so with respect to space, the orbit of a world is as the speck occupied by a puceron, or the hundredth part of a drop of |