Works on natural history and philosophy seldom possess much interest for the uninitiated in "the physically practical." An exception to this may however be found in the beautiful _Schmetterlingsbuch_, or _Butterfly book_, recently published by Hoffman of Stuttgart, containing eleven hundred colored illustrations of these "winged flowers," as the Chinese poetically term them. Equally attractive to every lover of exquisite works of scientific art, is the recent American _Pomology_, edited by Dr. BRINCKLE of Philadelphia, and published by Hoffy of that city. This, we state on the authority of the Philadelphia Art-Union Reporter, is the most splendid work of the kind ever published in this country or Europe, with a single exception, which was issued under royal patronage. * * * * * A valuable and useful book in these times is STEIN'S _Geschichte der socialen Bewegung in Frankreich von 1789 bis auf unsere Tage_ (History of the Social Movement in France from 1789 to our day). It is in three volumes, published at Leipzig. The _Socialismus und Communismus_ of the same author has given him a wide reputation for impartiality and thoroughness, which the present work must confirm and extend. We do not coincide in all his views, historical or critical, but cordially recommend him to the study of all who desire to inform themselves as to one of the most important phases of modern history. * * * * * An interesting work entitled _Die Macht des Kleinen_, or _The power of the Little, as shown in the formation of the crust of our earth-ball_, has recently been translated from the Dutch of _Schwartzkopt_, by Dr. SCHLEIDEN of Leipzig. This book treats entirely of the works and wonders effected by that "invisible brotherhood" of architects, the _animalculæ_, and shows how greatly the organic world is indebted to coral insects, _foraminiferæ_, polypi, and other cryptic beings, for its existence and progress. The illustrations are truly admirable. * * * * * Among the recent publications at Halle, is a heavy octavo by Dr. J. H. KRAUSE, on the _History of Education, Instruction and Culture among the Greeks, Etruscans and Romans_. It is drawn from the original sources, and is the result of a most studious and thorough investigation of the subject. * * * * * A very intelligent young priest, by name JOSEPH LUTZ, has recently published by Laupp of Tübingen, a _Handbook of Catholic Pulpit Eloquence_. This work will be found highly interesting to those desirous of investigating the history and theories of modern eloquence. We were already aware that in New-England smoking and whistling are regarded as vices, but first learned from the prospectus of this work that, according to Theremin, eloquence is a _virtue_! * * * * *