2d, the location had been determined by actual examinations of the brain itself, and by comparisons of its developement with the known character; and 3d, if the sinus so interfered as to destroy all proof of the few organs affected by it, there is no such obstacle in the way of the other numerous organs. He exhibited several skulls divided in various ways, to show the nature and extent of this frontal sinus, and other skulls of children, and even of adults, in which it did not exist at all. When speaking of Color, he gave some amusing anecdotes of persons who lacked the power of distinguishing colors, and particularly, of one gentleman who lost a coat that he had worn a year, and could not advertise it, because he could not describe its color. He gave some interesting anecdotes illustrative of the functions of Locality, and particularly, an account of the blind traveller, Holman, who has just returned from a visit to New Holland, and is about to publish his travels. The lecture closed with an account of the organ of Order, which Mr. F. thought the parent of neatness. [TO BE CONCLUDED IN OUR NEXT.] [Furnished for the Tracts and Lyceum.] POPULAR BOTANY.-No. IV. IN my first article on this subject I was led, by a contemplation of the confusion in the popular, and which even exists to some degree in the scientific nomenclature, to make some remarks, showing the nature and extent of this evil. In the two latter numbers, I have thrown out some general hints upon several subjects which were deemed of vital importance, as a portion of the field which this science does or should cover and explore; and which I thought not inappropriate to popular botany.' Facts, are things the mass of people are most strongly impressed with. Theories and systems are beyond their reach, and still more, counted of no importance. To begin with teaching the names of the hundred and forty-five forms of leaves, the parts and organs of a flower, the twenty-four classes and as many orders, and much of it in what would be to most an unknown tongue, would be to them a very unpromising beginning. I I propose to continue this series with descriptions of plants and their uses and explanations of their names. shall endeavor to give as much valuable and useful information respecting each plant I have occasion to mention, as can be conveniently done. Such, is considered to be the botany which is needed; not overlooking vegetable physiology and anatomy of plants, which are all-important branches. LAUREL. This is the proper name of a plant, of the genus whose scientific name is Laurus, which is, in fact, the English of that Latin word. I shall describe in order some of the most important species of Laurus. The bush we call laurel in America is not a true laurel, in this sense, but is so called because its leaves look like laurel leaves, (i. e. of the bay-tree.) Its scientific name is Kalmia, named from Kalm, the discoverer. LAURUS NOBILIS, (noble laurel,) called the bay tree, is the first species of laurel I shall mention. It is a native of the south of Europe, as for instance, of Italy and Greece. This plant was made into crowns, as prizes of distinction among the ancients, and for this reason, laurels have come to signify poetic honors. The word bays, from bay, the other name of this tree, has the same meaning. The leaves found in drums of figs are, I have been told, laurel or bay leaves. It is a beautiful and evergreen tree. LAURUS CINNAMOMUM, (Cinnamon laurel.) This is the cinnamon tree, which is found in greatest perfection in the island of Ceylon, if indeed it is a native of any other place. The beautiful aromatic flavor of the bark renders it a favorite article of spicery. I do not, however, believe that more than one half of what is sold under the name of cinnamon is the real produce of this tree. It is said to have greenish yellow flowers, and to bear a fruit like an acorn. The cinnamon is the inner bark of the small boughs, which are cut after a three years' growth, and the bark carefully peeled off. Each piece is tasted to test its quality, before it is packed for exportation. Camphor is procured from another species of laurus, and also from some other trees. Various accounts are given of the mode of procuring it, which is probably different in different places. It seems to exist in the wood and root of the tree. It is found in Japan, some of the Spice Islands, and most probably, in China and the adjacent islands. LAURUS CASSIA, (Cassia laurel.) A kind of laurel much resembling cinnamon, but of inferior quality, and less rare. Cinnamon is undoubtedly adulterated with the bark of this tree, and indeed cinnamon is sometimes sold in the shops under the name of cassia, and some are led to suppose this title to indicate the best kind, but this I very much disbelieve. It is so easy to impose upon the unsuspecting and less learned portion of the community, that the opportunity is, it is feared, seldom neglected where detection is so difficult. LAURUS SASSAFRAS and L. BENZOIN. These are our sassafras tree and spice or fever bush. They are also, by botanists, reckoned laurels, though somewhat differing from the above-described species. They are two of the most agreeable aromatics our native vegetation affords, and are not unworthy of consideration on account of their medicinal properties. When this country was new, immense quantities of sassafras root were exported to Europe, as an article of medicine, probably a panacea or universal remedy, like botanical drops,' or 'elixir vitæ.' It is, however, without doubt, useful, and finds a place in the materia medica. The fever bush I have been unable to find in medical works. This name it has without doubt received from its supposed efficacy in fevers. It is certainly to some degree, in repute, as a popular medicine. Such things ought not to be entirely overlooked. The people may sometimes mistake, but they are not always wrong. Both these trees abound in New EngTheir leaves and bark, besides containing an aromatic principle, abound in mucilage. land. LAURO-CERASUS, (Cherry-laurel.) This is a tree called laurel in England, and is a species of the plum or cherry family. It is poisonous, containing prussic acid, as the whole family of stone-fruited trees do, either in the leaves, flower, or the kernel of the fruit. Why the name laurel was ever applied to this tree it is impossible for me to imagine. KALMIA, (American laurel.) This plant is well known to every one. The low kind, called sheep-laurel, is said to be poisonous to sheep. The mountain laurel is much esteemed, and its wood has been made use of for some purposes to which box-wood is applied. It has a beautiful flower, which the lover of nature will do well to examine. QUERCUS, (Oak.) This useful tree is most extensively known, inhabiting almost all climates except the frigid zone. In the temperate climates on the plains, and in the torrid zone on the mountains, it rivals other trees of the forest in magnificence and usefulness. The species of oak in our country are numerous, but we shall speak in particular of but few. The white-oak is probably the most useful timber-tree we have. Whether it excels the oaks of Old England,' however, I cannot determine. Equally serviceable is the live-oak, or evergreen oak of the South, the incorruptible quality of whose timber makes it peculiarly suitable for ship-building. It is from an oak, which grows abundantly in the south of Europe, that cork is procured; it is said to be the bark of the tree. The oak in ancient times, among the Greeks, was sacred to Jupiter; and among the Druids-the priests of the pagan inhabitants of Britain-it was regarded with peculiar veneration. The Rose. Of this most beautiful and celebrated flower there are more than a hundred species. Of these, several grow wild in our own country. In Persia the rose grows in greatest perfection, and the love of the nightingale for its beloved rose-tree, in which it delights to make its nest, is a favorite theme of Persian poets. There have been discovered no roses south of the equator, so that we have reason to believe that one half of our globe is destitute of this delicious flower. Those regions, however, possess others to supply its place. Most of our beautiful geraniums are brought from the Cape of Good Hope. DYES. In a valuable French work, which has never been translated into English, (Dictionnaire d'Histoire Naturelle,) I find it stated that the leaves and flowers of the wild balsamine, or jewel-weed, which is abundant by streams, will give a yellow color to wool, and also that the native inhabitants of some parts of America eat it as a sallad. By the way, this Dictionary, which contains a complete account of the animal, vegetable and mineral kingdoms, highly deserves to be englished. B. B. [Furnished for the Tracts and Lyceum.] MUSIC. In the minds of many, a question arises that is more difficult to decide than appears at the first glance, whether music has not attained a rank and importance among our pursuits that places it above the sister art of painting, and very nearly upon a level with poetry, in its immediate effects upon our manners and happiness. By the vast space it fills in education, in the occupation it affords publicly and privately, connected as it is with sentiment, and efficacious as it must be in producing a state of mind infinitely more susceptible of the impressions of the higher art with which it is associated-through each of these circumstances, it should seem to possess a degree of direct power and authority scarcely accessible to verse, honored even as the poet is in our days. The effects of poetry are more certain and more durable, but they are more slowly wrought, and perhaps they are neither felt so early, so intensely or so universally as those of music. The prodigious and rapid circulation of musical productions, together with the number of musical performances, both public and private, congregate together, render it doubtful whether a larger portion of the |