in the Polar Regions. The tracts, also, over which they passed,-being tenanted by animals of remarkable and varied form, adorned by nature with the richest and most beautiful furs,-yielded numerous objects not only of the highest interest to the zoological observer, but of great value as the materials of an extensive commerce. The present volume, therefore, which exhibits a view of all that is important in our knowledge of the most remote territories of America, when studied in combination with the "Polar Seas and Regions," of which it may be regarded as the sequel, will be found to supply a complete account of the whole series of Northern Discoveries by land and water. Of this work the Historical and Critical departments have been contributed by PATRICK FRASER TYTLER, Esq., the distinguished Author of the History of Scotland, and the Natural History by JAMES WILSON, Esq.,-two gentlemen whose names, the publishers are confident, will furnish a sufficient security that the task committed to them has been executed with care. In the Appendix it has been the object of Mr Tytler, not only to vindicate from a late attack the reputation of an excellent writer, but if possible to set at rest the disputed point regarding the discovery of North America. In this investigation he has endeavoured to unite the patient research, which is absolutely requisite for the discovery of truth on such a subject, with a popular mode of communicating it. The high qualifications of Mr Wilson our readers have already had ample opportunities to appreciate; and we may add that, from his intimate acquaintance and correspondence with Dr Richardson, whose name stands so high among the explorers of the Northern Regions, he has enjoyed peculiar advantages in preparing the interesting Sketches now submitted to the public. The student of natural history who has perused the summaries of African and Indian Zoology which have appeared in the former volumes of the EDINBURGH CABINET LIBRARY, will not fail to perceive their increased value when examined in connexion with that now given, inasmuch as they afford the materials of a comparative view of the animal kingdom in three principal divisions of our globe, and thereby throw a valuable light on the subject of zoological geography, which has recently excited the attention of the scientific world. The Map has been constructed with the greatest care: it comprehends all the recent Discoveries on the northern boundary of America, and fully exhibits the routes of the different travellers and navigators whose adventures are recorded in the text. The Engravings by JACKSON illustrate several striking specimens of natural history, drawn chiefly from nature, and other objects characteristic of that quarter of the globe. There is also a portrait of Cortes after Titian,-executed in the first style of the art. EDINBURGH, August 1832. CONTENTS. DISCOVERY OF NORTH AMERICA-EARLY VOYAGES OF THE PORTUGUESE, FRENCH, AND SPANIARDS. First Discovery of North America by John Cabot-Voyages of Sebastian Cabot-Of the Cortereals-Discovery of Labrador -French Discoveries-Voyages of Verazzano-Of Jacques Colonisation of Canada-French Fur Trade Rise of Hudson's Bay Company-Hearne's Three Journeys-North-west Fur Amelioration in the Character of European Intercourse with uncivil- ized Nations-The Absence of Sandy Deserts, a grand Feature in the Physical Attributes of America-General Boundaries of the Districts afterwards treated of in Detail-Early Sources of Information regarding the Natural History of North America- General View of the Fur Countries-Passages across the Rocky Mountains-Plains and Valleys along the Pacific Shore,......293 THE QUADRUPEDS OF THE NORTHERN REGIONS OF AMERICA. Inaccuracies of some Historical Writers-No Monkeys in North America-Bats-Shrew-mice-Genus Scalops, or Shrew-mole ---Other Moles of America-The Star-nose-Various Bears- Different Digitated Quadrupeds_The Canada Otter-The Sea- otter-The Dogs and Wolves of America-The Foxes-The |