[Cuvier was Professor of Geology in the College of France. The chair,
vacant by his death, has just been filled by the appointment of
M. Elie Beaumont, celebrated for his investigation of mountain
formations.]

* * * * *



NEW BOOKS


LEGENDS OF THE RHINE.


[These are three novel-sized volumes from the prolific pen of Mr.
Grattan, whose _Highways and Byeways_ have probably started off
hundreds of scribbling tourists to the Continent, much to the
annoyance of the keepers of old castles and other necromantic
haunts. These Legends, however, have little to do with the Rhine,
which is perhaps fortunate for their success, as most of the
traditionary stories of the romantic river have been dished up in
as many forms and fashions as French cooks are accustomed to serve
up eggs. A few of our Correspondents have tried their taste,
but we hope not the reader's patience, in _Rhin_-onomy; and Mr.
Planché, moreover, has wandered and sailed up and down the
district, picking to new van its mystic stories in every form
common to our literature. We have enjoyed every inch of the stream
and its banks, coloured after nature, in a panorama on paper, to