Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 29.djvu/868

848 a teacher. It is intended to present the distinctive characteristics of the genera of the family, which are not described in the usual text-books, with sufficient compactness for easy use in field-work. The attempt has, therefore, been made to bring together, in systematic form and a convenient shape, such information as would enable a student to learn to recognize a number of the more conspicuous genera. Half of the leaves are left blank for the convenience of students wishing to insert notes and sketches.

fourth volume continues the history as to general affairs from 1836, and as to local affairs from 1840 to 1845. The story of the secularization of the missions is carried on. Among other topics of interest, the doings of foreigners, American occupation, the "Graham affair," the coming of Sutter, and the establishment of New Helvetia, are treated in a new light. The career and character of Sutter—whose story is closely connected with the awakening of the gold-fever and the occupation of the country by American miners—are reviewed in full. This man hardly appears here as the public-spirited citizen which many have been disposed to regard him, but as a reckless adventurer and speculator. The records of the several overland immigrant parties are given, beginning with the Batterson or Bidwell party, in 1841, and including the companies of Workman and Rowland in the same year; of Hastings, Chiles, and Walker, in 1843; of Fremont, Kelsey, and Stevens, or Murphy, in 1844; and of McMahon and Clyman, Swasey and Todd, Sublette, Grigsby, and Ide, Fremont and Walker, and Hastings and Semple, in 1845; also accounts of Commodore Jones's achievements in 1842, of the Russians who left California in 1841, the Hudson Bay Company's branch in San Francisco, the fur-hunters' operations in the interior, and the trading-caravans from New Mexico. Prominent among the topics of foreign relations are the schemes of France, England, and the United States, to gain possession of California; and particular attention is given to the plans and efforts of the United States and its agents, as shown in original correspondence, now given to the public for the first time; and the treatment of American immigrants down to 1845 is set forth.

The fifth volume comprises—from 1846 to 1848—the exciting period of the conquest of California by the United States, which is treated in all its phases. The policy of our Government and the doings of its agents are studied from documentary sources not hitherto brought to light. Hence the volume is likely to prove, as a narrative, more interesting and readable than any that have preceded it; and it can not fail to be important as a record, because it is founded largely on original testimony. Its contents embrace, first, the acts of Fremont in the country, which are set forth in an unfavorable light; next, the personal and sectional controversies that marked the last days of Mexican political annals. A following chapter is devoted to foreign relations, the policy of the United States and other nations, and the efforts of Colonel Larkin; another chapter to the causes of the settlers' revolt, wherein Fremont is again handled with severity; and four chapters to the detailed presentment of the "Bear Flag" revolt; after which begins the story of the conquest proper as part of the Mexican War. This having been told, the political controversies of Stockton, Kearney, and Fremont, next claim attention. The stories of the Mormon Battalion, the New York Volunteers, and the Artillery Company, are given; also the annals of immigration, including the tragic experiences of the Donner party and the coming of Sam Brannan's Mormon colony; the history of the ex-missions and of Indian affairs, with the annals of trade, and other incidents, going to complete the history. The pioneer list is completed, and includes in all some ten thousand names and biographical sketches. Our heading indicates a change in the name of the publishing house. A story is connected with the change. The whole establishment was burned down last April, with an inadequate insurance. Mr. H. H. Bancroft was the principal proprietor, and lost very heavily, not only through his share in the