imbedded in the solid rock, bones of the feet, and portions of the great thigh bone of the Iguanodon, one of these gigantic crocodile-lizards of the dry land, so well known through the writings of Dr. Mantell. These bones with others were obtained from the weald clay at low tides on the sea shore, and fell into my possession with a number of other choice fossils. My collection had now so accumulated that I returned to Brighton the same evening by railway. In conclusion, I may state that the collections which accrue during my occasional wanderings are becoming very valuable; they are all destined some day to be placed in the museums of Canada."

G.

Notes on Microscopic Literature.

No part of the field of science has within the last few years awakened more interest, or been more fully studied, than those departments of Natural History which require the aid of the Microscope for their full elucidation.

Soirées, Conversationes, and Lectures public and private, having for their subject matter the "Microscope and its revelations," have become every-day occurrences; and long articles in the Reviews, Magazines, and Newspapers on the same topic, all go to prove how popular the investigation has become.

The instrument itself, both in its mechanical and optical parts, has engaged the attention of able savans on both sides of the Atlantic, and in the hands of such workmen as Powell and Ross in London, Spencer and Grunow in America, and Nachet in France, it would appear to be rapidly approaching its limit of perfection.

The beginners' requirements have had special attention. Learned Societies have offered premiums for the best instruments suitable to the wants of students and saleable at a low price. Prize medals have been liberally awarded to preparers of microscopic objects, who now have the rank of a distinct profession accorded to them; and some even confine themselves to one de. partment of the art-that of preparing injections of animal tissues. And a new feature, supplying a manifest want, has lately been perfected in London, as will appear from the following advertisements which we clip from recent British publications:

"Smith & Beck have now completed and opened The London Microscopical Subscription Room. Prospectuses to be had on application at No. 6, Coleman-street, London."

"M. Pillischer's Microscopical Subscription Room, 88, New Bond-street, opened May 1st, 1856."

"A room has been fitted up with every care for the comfort and convenience of Subscribers, especially as regards light."

"It contains eight Compound Microscopes of various construction, with their respective powers and apparatus; Dissecting Microscopes and Instruments; as well as all the appliances necessary for the examination and preservation of objects, and a Cabinet of upwards of a Thousand Standard Objects, illustrating most of the branches of Microscopic Research, are maintained in perfect order for general reference, as well as the Periodicals and Books of Reference on Microscopical Subjects,"

"The Terms of Subscription are Half-a-Guinea per annum, payable in advance, and entitling a Subscriber to introduce a friend." The Room is open daily from 12 to 6 P.M.; and till 8 P.M. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

We commend the idea to our only progressive public body-the McGill College-in the hope that its Governors may ere long announce that a "Montreal Microscopical Subscription Room" is opened with an efficient supply of instruments.

Here is another idea worthy of consideration:

"A Course of Evening Demonstrations on Microscopes and Aquaria, by Samuel Higeley, F.G.S., F.C.S., &c. More especially arranged for those about to visit the sea-side or country, and desirous of establishing Marine or Fresh-water Aquaria. The Course also includes MICRO-PHOTOGRAPHY, and will commence on Tuesday, July 8th, at 8 P.M. Fee One Guinea. Prospectuses and Tickets may be had at 43, Piccadilly."

We shall have something to say on Aquaria in an early number.

It is quite impossible for us to give notes on, or even titles of, all the works bearing on this subject which have lately appeared. The following are some of the more important:

Quekett's Lectures on Histology. Delivered at the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Vol. I. Elementary Tissues of Plants and Animals, 8vo., 159 Woodcuts, $1 75. Vol. II. Structure of the Skeletons of Plants and Invertebrate Animals, 8vo., 364 Woodcuts, $4. H. Balliere, New York and London.

A Microscopic Examination of the Water Supplied to the Inhabitants of London and the Suburban Districts. By Arthur Hill Hassall, M.B., F.L.S. 8vo., Coloured Plates. 2s. 6d. Lond.

The Microscopic Anatomy of the Human Body. By A. H. Hassall. The United States Edition, edited with additions and notes by Henry Vanarsdale, M.D. In 2 vols., 8vo. Vol. I., pp. 560, text. Vol. II., pp. 168, text and 79 Coloured Plates. New York: Pratt, Woodford & Co.

This is a most valuable and able work, the only complete one in the English language with which we are acquainted. This American edition is as good as the English, and has ten additional plates. Dr. Hassall has also written two works on the Adulteration of Food, and the Methods by which such may be detected, among which methods-as may be supposed the microscope occupies an important place.

Principles of the Anatomy and Physiology of the Vegetable Cell. By Hugo Von Mohl. Translated (with the author's permission) by Arthur Hinfrey, F.R.S.; with an Illustrative Plate and numerous Woodcuts; pp. 158, 8vo. London: Van Voorst.

This work deserves especial commendation. It should be in the hands of every student of Physiology.

Microscopic Objects, Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral; with Instructions for Preparing and Viewing them. By Andrew Pritchard. 5s.

A History of Infusorial Animalcules, Living and Fossil. Illustrated by magnified representations, by Andrew Pritchard. A new edition enlarged. 1vol., 8vo, pp. 704, with 14 Plates; some coloured.

This volume contains a vast amount of information on the Infusoria, but is disfigured and injured by its slovenly arrangement. We notice that the author has lately (1857) announced a new edition in preparation.

Hannover on the Microscope. Translated from the Danish. With Introduction. By John Goodsir, Professor of Anatomy, University of Edinburgh. Edinburgh: Sutherland & Knox.

Gould's Companion to the Microscope. Sixteenth edition, revised and improved. 8vo., plates. 1s. 6d. By H. Gould, Optician. London: Samuel Highley.

The Microscope, in its Special Application to Animal Anatomy and Physiology. By T. H. Huxley, F.R S., &c., Lecturer on Natural History at the Department of Practical Science.

The Microscope: its History, Construction, and Applications. Illustrated by 500 Drawings of Objects.

By James Hogg, M.R.C.S. pp. 440. London: H. Ingram & Co.

The Microscope: its Applications to Clinical Medicine. By Dr. Lionel Beale, Professor of Physiology and Anatomy in King's College, London. 282 Illustrations, and One Chromo-Lithograph. Price 10s. 6d. London: Samuel Highley.

The Microscope in its Special Application to Vegetable Anatomy and Physiology. By Dr. Hermann Schacht. Edited, with the co-operation of the Author, by Frederick Currey, M. A. Second Edition, considerably enlarged. Numerous Woodcuts. Price 6s. London: Samuel Highley.

This author has also written a useful little book entitled "How to work with the Microscope."

The Microscope and its Revelations. By W. B. Carpenter, M.D., F.R.S. With 345 Engravings on Wood; foolscap 8vo., cloth, 12s. 6d. London: John Churchill.

Without giving the author credit for any originality, we are free to state that this work is perhaps the most useful and cheap compilation, which the tyro in Microscopic observation can procure. We however consider, that in view of previous publications, the large space which he has devoted to the history, mechanical construction and accessories of the microscope uncalled for. The American edition, published by Blanchard & Lea, is, we think, superior to the English.

Practical Treatise on the Use of the Microscope: Including the Methods of Preparing and Examining Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral Structures. By John Quekett. Third edition, with

11 Steel and 306 Wood Engravings. 8vo. and New York: H. Balliere.

Price $5. London

This work is usually considered a standard. The third edition is enlarged and improved.

The Micrographic Dictionary; A Guide to the Examination and Investigation of the Structure of Microscopic Objects. By J. W. Griffith, M.D., F.L.S., and Arthur Henfrey, F.R.S., F.L.S., &c. Illustrated by 41 Plates and 816 Engravings on Wood. 1 vol., 8vo., pp. 696; or, in 12 Half-Crown Parts. London: John Van Voorst.

This is without doubt the most elaborate and extensive work on general microscopic investigation which has appeared in our language.

A copious introduction (pages x to LX) treats:

I. Of the use of the microscope and the examination of objects. II. Of the methods of determining structure from-a, the microscopic analysis of the surface, including-1. the form; 2. the colour; 3. the structure; and 4, the internal structure: b, the histological analysis: c, the qualitative chemical composition: and d, the measurement. The body of the work is arranged alphabetically and each article has numerous Bibliographical citations in which the student is referred to the best and latest works, treating on the specific subject. The authors have given a larger space to Microscopic Botany than to any of the other departments of the science. The plates are tolerably good, and the wood engravings profuse and excellent. We cordially recommend the work as a valuable vade-mecum to the general naturalist, who has not access to an extensive scientific library.

Drops of Water; their marvellous and beautiful Inhabitants displayed by the Microscope, (6 coloured plates; square 16mo; price 7s 6d.; London: Lovell Reeve,) is the title of an elegant and fascinating little volume by Miss Agnes Catlow, well adapted to young folks. Her plates are copied without acknowledgement by a United States writer, a Rev. Joseph Wythes, M.D., in a book entitled "Curiosities of the Microscope." Any one claiming to be a member of both learned professions ought to know better than to act so dishonorable a part.

The British Desmidiea. By John Ralfs, M.R.C.S.; the Drawings by Edward Tenner, A.L.S. 1 Vol., 8vo.; Pp. 226; with 35 Colored Plates. London: Lovell Reeve.

A Synopsis of the British Diatomacea; with Remarks on their structure, functions and distribution; and instructions for collecting and preserving specimens. By Rev. Wm. Smith, F.L.S.; the Plates by Tuffin West. In two volumes, 8vo. Vol. 1, Pp. 89, with 31 plates, some colored, 1853-21s.; Vol. 2, Pp. 107, with 36 plates, some colored, 1856-30s. London: John Van Voorst.

We cordially recommend these two admirable Monographs to the students of Microscopic Botany in Canada. They enter fully into the Habits, Nature, Structure, Reproduction, Classification, Determination and Uses of the Families of which they respectively treat; and are written, descriptions and all, in the English language.