ARABIA--Historical and philological results of the researches in Southern Arabia, the country of the ancient Himyarites; importance of these discoveries in elucidating Scriptural history, p. 73. THE CAUCASUS--Exploration by M. Hommaire de Hell.... Sclavonic MSS. and inscriptions, p. 84. ASSYRIA AND PERSIA--History of the study of the ancient arrow-headed inscriptions.... Extraordinary results therefrom.... The Zendavesta.... The Zend language.... The great inscription of Darius.... Explorations at Nineveh. Journeys of Dr. Robert; of Prince Waldemar, etc., p. 84. SIBERIA--Journeys of Count Middendorff and others; geographical and ethnographical results, p. 109. INDIA--Progress of civilization; importance of missionary labors, p. 113. SIAM--Decline of Boodhism; extension of Christianity, p. 117. COCHIN-CHINA--Visit of Mr. Hedde to Turon, in Annam, p. 118. CHINA--Latest accounts from, p. 119. COREA--Efforts of the Catholic missionaries to christianize the natives, p. 123. MANCHURIA....MONGOLIA--Recent accounts from these countries; journey of Rev. Mr. Huc, in Mongolia, p. 125. LEW-CHEW ISLANDS--Attempt to establish a mission, by Rev. Mr. Forcade; notices of the people, their manners, customs, and language, p. 127. JAPAN--Recent attempts to communicate with the Japanese; peculiarities of this people.... General view of the languages of the Japanese, Coreans, Chinese, and Cochin-Chinese, p. 131. THE PROGRESS OF ETHNOLOGY AND GEOGRAPHY. NORTH AMERICA. I have the pleasure of laying before the New York Historical Society a brief account of the progress which has been made during the past year towards extending our knowledge of the globe, particularly with reference to its geography, and to those nations whose history is imperfectly known. The subject is one that more properly belongs to ethnology, but the historical results which are deduced from these enquiries come within the scope of the objects, the elucidation of which belongs to this Society. A new impulse has lately been given to the study of American Antiquities. A brief account of recent investigations carried on in a portion of the West and South will show that we possess much that is interesting, and which will throw light on a neglected branch of aboriginal history and ethnology. Every enquirer into the origin and purposes of the monuments and ancient remains of the Mississippi valley has regretted the limited number and poorly attested character of the facts, of which the public are in possession, respecting them. The practical investigations made from time to time by various individuals, have not been sufficiently thorough and extensive, nor have they developed sufficient data to warrant or sustain any definite or satisfactory conclusions. They have served rather to provoke enquiries which they could in no degree satisfy, than to afford information on the subject with which they were connected.