[page] 136

This is a most readable work upon a great but little known man. It is a translation of the sketch of Erasmus Darwin, the author of the "Zoonomia" and "Botanic Garden," by Dr. Ernst Krause, which appeared in the German scientific journal, "Kosmos." The sketch is preceded by a preliminary notice drawn up by Charles Darwin from Erasmus Darwin's commonplace book, letters, notices, and other private sources. To those who may be deterred from taking up this little volume for fear of its too scientific nature, we hasten to assure them that their timidity is quite uncalled for. The book is amusing, full of curious and out-of-the-way information, and giving much useful knowledge of scientific subjects under cover of the most agreeable chit-chat.