Geotics, or Natural History.

Judaism describes the tenets and ceremonies of the Mosaic Law, as still retained by the dispersed and wandering Children of Israel.

Mohammedanism, Moslemism or Islamism, treats of the doctrines and writings of the self-styled prophet of the Arabians.

Paganism, (from the Latin paganus, a peasant or a pagan,) describes the various idol worship and superstitions of the heathen nations.

Mythology, (from μvoos, a fable,) treats of the heterogeneous, alternately beautiful, sublime and profligate fabulous deities of the classic ages of Greece and Rome.

5. We come now to the Sciences. The Department of GEOTICS, (from 77, the earth,) treats of the globe which we inhabit, its composition and productions; including Geography, Chemistry, Mineralogy, Geology, Botany and Zoology; or all the branches of Natural History.

Geography, (from 77, the earth, and roaqn, a description,) comprehends a general view of Geotics, particularly with regard to Topography, or the location of animals, plants, and all natural objects; including also the statistics of the different nations.

Chemistry, (from the Arabic kimia, the occult science,) investigates the properties of all material substances, resolves them into their simple elements, and re-combines them in innumerable forms, by the aid of those mighty physical powers, attraction, affinity, light, heat, and electricity; thus subserving important purposes in all the practical pursuits of life.

Mineralogy, (from the French mine, a mine,) describes earthy and mineral substances in detail; and by the aid of Chemistry, investigates their composition and uses.

Therapeutics, or Medical Sciences.

Geology, (from yn and loyos,) examines the earths and minerals on a large scale, as forming the earthy and rocky strata which constitute the crust of our globe. By the fossil and organic remains which these contain, it discovers the early races of animals which inhabited the earth, and the changes which it has undergone; thus tracing, as it were, the history of the creation.

Botany, (from 6oravn, its Greek name,) treats of the trees, plants, and other vegetable productions of the earth, the physiology of their growth, and their localities and

uses.

Zoology, (from twos, living, and loyos,) describes all animals which are known to the naturalist,

"Beast, bird, fish, insect, what no eye can see,"

from the senseless polypus, and crawling worm, to the "half reasoning elephant," and man, the lord and master of them all.

The Department of THERAPEUTICS, (from Eqαдɛvo, I heal,) relates to the physical constitution of man, and the means of restoring and preserving health. It comprises Anatomy, Physiology, Medicine, Surgery, &c.

Anatomy, (from avatεuvo, I dissect,) describes the parts of the human body, and its wonderful organization, that "harp of thousand strings," as Dr. Watts so beauti fully terms it, so easily disordered by accident, impru dence or excess, that it is indeed strange that it "should keep in tune so long."

Physiology, (from qvois, nature,) investigates the uses or functions of those organs which Anatomy describes ; and has been greatly aided by experiments on various animals, which are thus made beneficial to man.

Medicine, (from the Latin medico, I cure,) in its most general sense, treats of Hygiene, or rules for the preser

Mathematics, or the Science of Quantity.

vation of health; of the Materia Medica, or substances used in medicine, and of the classification, symptoms, and cure of diseases.

Surgery, (from zeigovoria, the work of the hands,) relates to the treatment and cure of wounds, fractures, &c. often requiring painful manual operations.

7. The Department of MATHEMATICS, from uavbaro, I learn,) so called by way of eminence, treats of all quantity which can be measured by a standard unit, and thus expressed by numbers. It comprehends Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Fluxions and Variations.

Arithmetic, (from agi0uos, a number,) treats of calcula tions by means of the Arabic numerals-the nine digits and the cipher-used in the decimal notation.

Algebra, (an Arabic term,) represents numbers by means of letters, and their relations by other symbols; enabling us to use unknown quantities as if they were known, and thus by their relations to ascertain their value. It is a more general kind of Arithmetic.

Geometry, (from yn, the earth, and μɛrgov, a measure,) treats of the measure of space, by lines, surfaces and solids. Analytic Geometry depends on Algebra, and includes Trigonometry, or the properties of Triangles, and Conic Sections, or the curves obtained by a plane intersecting a Cone. Descriptive Geometry includes all the principles of Projection and Perspective, the foundation of the art of Drawing.

Fluxions, (so named by Newton,) or the Differential and Integral Calculus, (as it is termed by the French,) investigates quantities supposed to be produced by the continual addition of small increments; as the flowing of motion of a point produces a line; the motion of a line gives a surface; and the motion of a surface generates a solid.

Periphysics, or Natural Philosophy.

Variations are a refinement of Fluxions, by the use of which Laplace, in his "Méchanique Celeste," or Mechanism of the Heavens, has unfolded the laws of planetary motion, to an extent which leaves comparatively little to be desired in this sublime branch of sci

ence.

8. The Department of PERIPHYSICS, or Natural Philosophy, (from лe, concerning, and quois, nature,) treats of those phenomena of nature which are connected with the motion of solids and fluids, air, light, electricity, &c., under the names of Mechanics, Optics, Electricity, Magnetism, and Astronomy.

Mechanics, (from unzavn, a machine, treats of the laws of forces, the mechanical powers, the theory of gravitation, and the motion and pressure of fluids. Acoustics, (from axovo, I hear,) investigating the theory of sounds, may also be included in this science.

Optics, (from onτоuaι, I see,) treats of the phenomena of light; whether it consist in the vibration of particles. of matter, or whether, as is more probable, it be an imponderable substance, moving with immense velocity.

Electricity, (from ŋlɛxıqov, amber,) treats of the wonderful effects of the electric fluid, from the electrifying power of amber, in which it was first discovered, to the bolted lightning, which shakes the heavens, and makes the earth tremble. When developed by the galvanic battery, it is the most powerful chemical agent with which we are yet acquainted.

Magnetism, (from payvns, the loadstone,) investigates the attraction first observed in a native oxyde of iron, which pointing in a known direction, though not always to the north, serves to guide the wandering mariner. It has probably a more intimate connection with Electricity than. has yet been ascertained.

Diagraphics, or Scientific Arts.

Astronomy, (from aong, a star and vouos, a law,) examines the orbs of heaven on their trackless way, which they have pursued, for ages, with such precision, that their exact places may be calculated for any epoch, past or future, from the beginning of time till time shall be no longer.

9. We are now come to the division of the Arts. The Department of DIAGRAPHICS, or the Scientific Arts, (from Siargao, I delineate,) comprehends Surveying, Architecture, Navitecture, Navigation, and Civil Engineering; all of which depend much on drawing, or delineation, in their practice.

Surveying treats of measuring, laying out and dividing

land.

Architecture, (from agzos, chief, and Texto, a builder,) embraces the principles and practice of building, as regards both beauty and usefulness. It depends on rules of taste and fitness, which have been sanctioned by the test of ages.

Navitecture, (from vavs, a ship, and textwr, a builder,) called also Naval Architecture, treats of the construction of vessels-one of the most difficult branches of the arts, as it is one of the most useful.

Navigation, (from navigatio,, its Latin name,) by the aid of astronomy, enables the ponderous ship, with her pigmy crew, to traverse the ocean, and circumnavigate the globe; the mighty agent of commerce and civilization.

Civil Engineering, (from the Latin ingenium, skill,) comprehends the construction of common roads, railroads and canals; with the improvement of rivers and harbors. Its applications of the mighty power of steam are perhaps the grandest triumph of art over the latent energies of

nature.