847

M.

66

revealing a distribution of blood vessels, in a transparent section of the toe of a mouse. The skill required to successfully inject the vessels, and afterwards procure so delicate a scission, is essentially the province of the professional preparer; but, the object is sufficiently "popular," to be purchasable, and is found in most col

lections of microscopic objects. Although not approaching the stern requirements of the biologist or anatomical student, as revealing disentanglement of delicate tissues, or isolation of determinate structure, it is eminently a valuable educational or class preparation, as exhibiting conditions of distinct parts seldom found, in one view so intimately or compactly associated. The drawing was made from a "happy" cut, just cleaving, without injuring or disturbing, the tarsal bones, showing them in perfect integrity, surrounded by minute blood vessels spreading from the digital artery, and continuing to the capillary loops terminating in the papillæ of the thick, but highly sensitive, and vascular epidermic cushion under the surface of the claw, the matrix of which is seen, penetrated with minute blood vessels. Elegant and instructive as this preparation may be, as a microscopic exhibit, it is as nothing compared to such a condition in a living state, with the blood coursing through the vessels; the web of a frog's foot, the branchia and transparent parts of a tadpole, No. 242.-FEBRUARY 1885.

Addendum. Eylaïs extendens: In the January article on this subject, it was stated that the comely rotundity of the Hydrachnæ rendered them difficult to preserve, as permanent specimens for the cabinet, except at the sacrifice of their shapeliness, the dilemma being to find a medium of just the density needed to preserve the integuments from wrinkling or collapse. The writer has since received, through the courtesy of Mr. Henry Francis, the President of the Bristol Microscopical Society, a specimen en permanence, mounted three years ago: enclosed in a deep circular cell. The medium Mr. Francis used is a mixture of eight parts of distilled water (just tainted with carbolic acid), to one part of pure glycerine; under severe examination, although a little "off colour," its characteristic plumpness is perfectly intact, and such important features as the curious ocelli, the palpi, the parts about the mouth and the genital plates, are so well preserved and displayed, as to bear scrutiny under the highest reaching powers.

Crouch End.

BATS.-A correspondent in the December issue tells us he has often seen bats flying about the streets of Maidstone in mild weather during the autumn and winter months. This reminds me of what I saw in Paris on the first Sunday in January 1871. During the service in the church of St. Roch, I saw several bats flying about in the church between three and four in the afternoon. Afterwards in the evening twilight of the same day, I saw a good number flit about in a very lively fashion on the banks of the Seine.-H. M., Birkdale.

C

ELEM

NOTES ON NEW BOOKS.

LEMENTARY Text-Book of Zoology, by Dr. C. Claus. Translated and edited by Adam Sedgwick, M.A., and F. G. Heathcote, B.A. (London: W. S. Sonnenschein & Co.). To a seeker after scientific truth and knowledge that parochial mindedness which we sometimes dignify under the title of "Patriotism" gives place to a candid recognition of merit wherever it is found. Otherwise we should have regretted that no English Zoologist had provided students with a work of this class. Nicholson's Manuals go part of the way, but only a part. A really good text-book of Zoology, something like Sachs' Manual of Botany, was much wanted. Dr. Claus's name, both as a teacher and investigator, are well known, and this translation of his well-known manual will be thankfully received by zoological students. Let us add that we think the work has been improved by editing and translating. Certainly none could better have fulfilled this task than Mr. Adam Sedgwick. The chief feature which strikes us in reading the present work is its lucidity. The English is of the best, and the illustrations apt and pointed. Although it only includes the invertebrate animals from the Protozoa to the Insecta (in the special part), the preceding general part is of great value. Nothing in connection with the science and philosophy of zoology has been lost sight of, and the comparison of the same organs in different classes of animals, of similar structures, their embryological and general development, the discussion of the doctrines of evolution, natural selection, the historical review of Zoology—all of which are duly treated upon in the general part-recommend the work as a most attractive one. The woodcuts are very numerous and of a high artistic character.

On the Fossil Fishes of the Carboniferous Limestone Series of Great Britain, by J. W. Davis, F.G.S. (Dublin: Published by the Royal Dublin Society). Here is a work of quite another character, one which demands infinite pains and patience, and that quick and ready intuitive diagnosis of specimens which almost amounts to genius. And yet the author (a young man) is no salaried professor, or state endowed investigator, but a British manufacturer, with a brisk business to successfully superintend. British science owes much to such men, and we are proud of them-our Lubbocks, Evans, Tylors, Sorbys, and Davises! The present monograph will be a great boon to real workers, particularly on the interesting carboniferous limestone. Mr. Davis derived the materials for his examination and study from the well-known collection of the Earl of Enniskillen, now in the British Museum, South Kensington. He has laid under contributions the collections in the National Museum; the museums of the Geological Society, of Dublin, Cambridge, York,

man.

Bristol, &c., besides private collections. Mr. Davis accepts Günther's classification; and without devoting more than half a page to his introduction, he plunges at once into his subject, like a practical The plates are 65 in number, coloured, and very artistically got up; so that the volume is a credit to the Royal Dublin Society, and one which cannot fail to greatly enhance the high reputation as a paleontologist which the author has been deservedly earning for some years past.

Phillips's Manual of Geology, edited by Robert Etheridge, F.R.S., and H. G. Seely, F.R.S. (London : Charles Griffin & Co.). We cannot complain of want of manuals in geology, although paleontology is by no means so well off. The present volume is devoted to "Physical Geology," and is edited by Prof. Seely, who has taken the well-known and almost classic work of Prof. John Phillips as a basis, and it evolved this book. It must have been a harder task for Mr. Seely to work on these lines than to have written an original manual. But he has loyally fulfilled his work, and under the rôle of editor, has really given to geological students a work, whose erudition, painstaking succinctness, and thoroughness, none would have more heartily recognized than the genial John Phillips himself— who would have been amused in no small way at finding how his little book had grown into a big one! Many of the illustrations are those used in the original work.

The Student's Elements of Geology, by Sir Charles Lyell, Bart., F.R.S. Fourth edition, Revised by P. M. Duncan, F.R.S. (London: John Murray). It is late in the day to praise Lyell's Elements. It is far beyond the region of criticism. But one feels glad that so old a friend as this book is-endeared by those recollections of the past, when it sent us with delighted enthusiasm to the work, and the fossils of which it treated-has not been allowed to fall out of the ranks of geological literature. It is seven years since the last edition appeared, and geology has progressed marvellously in the meantime; more particularly with regard to the help it has received from microscopical investigation. The publisher was fortunate enough to get an editor who has a high reputation as a geologist and paleontologist, and who also knows how to write for students. Consequently this is by far the best edition of Lyell's "Student's Elements," which has ever appeared.

Plant-Lore, Legends, and Lyrics, by Richard Folkard, jun. (London: Sampson Low & Co.). No department of natural knowledge has taken such a hold on the public mind as plants. No other natural objects are so intimately associated with the historical mental and moral development of mankind at large, or have so grown up, and intermingled with its hopes and fears, joys and sorrows. There is hardly a common wayside weed which is not sanctified to us in these modern times by

Con

associations of this kind! It is a right and a good thing not to allow these old-world beliefs concerning the ascribed virtues, &c., of plants to die out. sequently we warmly welcome the handsome volume before us, in which the myths, traditions, superstitions, and folk-lore of the vegetable kingdom are fully worked out. The author is also the printer of the book-so that it is everything the book-lover can wish as regards type, woodcuts, paper, &c. Moreover, the fact lends additional point to the remarks already made concerning the contributions made by British industry to British science. Mr. Folkard has the charm of an interesting and clear style, as was unavoidable from the thorough manner in which he is interpenetrated with his subject. His book displays much learning and research, and it is both pleasant to read, and useful to refer to.

Origin of Cultivated Plants, by Alphonse de Candolle (London: Kegan Paul & Co.). This is another of the now famous "International Scientific Series," and it is also one of the most important, both on account of the high scientific rank of its author, and the importance and interest of the subject-matter. The latter is almost as much archæological and historical as it is botanical and horticultural; for many of the most important of our foodplants have their origin lost in the mists of antiquity, just as the races of mankind are. Prof. de Candolle only deals with the plants useful as food, he leaves out the medicinal kinds. With wondrous patience and learning, he has traced the history of some plants for thousands of years back, and shown how their culture was carried on at different epochs. At the same time he points out, that three out of four of the original homes of cultivated plants (as indicated by Linnæus) are wrong. Nevertheless, these have been continuously repeated by subsequent authors, who will now have a better authority to appeal to.

Leisure Time Studies, Chiefly Biological, by Andrew Wilson, Ph.D. (London: Chatto & Windus). This is the third edition of a series of essays and lectures, whose literary success is proved by the fact, that their republication is thus constantly called for. Dr. Wilson has a very quiet but effective way of telling what he has to say, which charms his readers into following him from essay to essay. Some of these (as that on corals, for instance) are models of how much information can be clearly and effectively packed into so small a space. The last essay on science and poetry rises to a lofty expression of poetical feeling, and its perusal would be a complete answer to those who imagine that science and poetry are antagonistic to each other.

Effie and Her Strange Acquaintances, by the Rev. John Crofts, M.A. (Chester: Phillipson & Golder). After reading this delightful child's book ourselves, we subjected it to the criticism of a little book-worm of ten years old, who has read it four times through ! This will be considered as a fair test of its readable

character. The author has skilfully combined the form of Kingsley's "Water-Babies" with Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland," and has brought out a book which plainly shows how much he loves both children and flowers, or he could not intellectually cater for them so attractively.

The Geology of Weymouth, by Robert Damon (London: Edward Stanford). This is a new and enlarged edition of a very successful geological handbook to a very attractive and highly fossiliferous locality-a locality known to the author for many years. The volume is beautifully got up, and well illustrated; and no naturalist, certainly no geologist, ought to be without it who wishes to enjoy the feast of fat things offered in our Southern English coasts.

Natural History Sketches among the Carnivora, by Arthur Nicols, F.G.S. (London: L. Upcott Gill). The delightful freedom from any form of literary stiffness which marks all this author's previous works is evident in the present. It is a most attractive volume, inside and out; and the subject, although to some extent a hackneyed one, is redeemed by the graceful style of the author.

The Speaking Parrots, by Dr. Karl Russ (London: L. Upcott Gill). This is a nicely got up manual, dealing with the habits, food, training, health, &c. of this class of birds. We are frequently asked to recommend a book of this kind, and we are therefore glad to draw attention to it, and to speak of it as one which seems to fulfil all the requirements of "A Manual of Talking Birds."

The Universe of Suns, by R. A. Proctor (London: Chatto & Windus). It requires only the announcement of a new book by Mr. Proctor, for it to be read. The present volume consists of a series of essays, chiefly relating to solar and planetary astronomy, and embracing earthquakes and volcanic phenomena, and even social subjects, all discussed in that terse and elegant English of which the author is so skilled a master. It is a most delightful book to read.

The Story of a Great Delusion, by William White (London: E. W. Allen). A nicely printed, and altogether attractively got up book. The literary contents are about as hopeless a jumble as we ever saw in print, and a believer in vaccination could not desire to inflict a more refined act of cruelty upon an anti-vaccinator than oblige him to read the present volume right through.

Rabbits, by R. O. Edwards (London: W. Swan Sonnenschein & Co.). A handy little manual on this perennial subject, as useful to the amateur as to the professional rabbit-keeper, with full and minute details relating to everything which concerns the well-being of these familiar pets.

List of British Vertebrate Animals, by Francis P. Pascoe (London: Taylor & Francis). All British naturalists should procure this most useful and compact little manual. It will save much time, and

assist in securing greater accuracy. The newest views and changes in classification are included; and, although the book is a small one, there is a good deal in it.

Nature's Hygiene, by C. T. Kingzett, F.C.S. (London: Baillière, Tindall, & Co.). Although this is the second edition of a book which we noticed favourably when it first came out, the author has improved it by partly rewriting some chapters, and adding others, as water supply, sewage, infectious diseases, &c. It is a good practical manual on all matters relating to health, and we are pleased to see the public taking so much greater interest in this subject as to require a second edition.

The Naturalist's World, edited by Percy Lund (London: W. Swan Sonnenschein). This is the first volume of a bright and attractive monthly magazine, published under the auspices of the Practical Naturalists' Society. It covers a good deal of ground, contains a variety of well-written articles, and shows plain proof of careful editorship.

We have also received a neatly got up volume, containing the Reports of the Meetings of the Scientific Association recently held in Montreal and Philadelphia, as given in the American weekly journal Science. It is a very handy volume, and contains the pith of the best papers and addresses, carefully edited.

filled in fact with iron-pyrites, but many were very perfect. By searching under lumps of clay and boulders, I found many species, such as Ammonites varicosus, A. lautus, very plentiful; Nucula ovata and N. pectinata, common, but only occasionally found perfect. Nucula vibrayana, not so common as the two other species. Belemnites minimus, B. ultimus and B. attenuatus, rather plentiful. These singular objects when water worn, are not unlike bits of slate-pencil, a comparison which I fear will shock a geologist.

In some places lately left bare by the tide, I

GAULT FOSSILS AT FOLKESTONE.

DURING a recent visit to the Warren, near

Folkestone, Kent, in search of Lepidoptera, the weather having become unfavourable, I was obliged to turn my attention to some other branch of Natural History, otherwise I should have to return with empty boxes. On looking from the cliffs above the Warren, I observed the dark line of gault near the beach, and remembering having read that fossils were to be obtained somewhere near this spot, I thought I would become a geologist, for the first time.

On descending the cliffs, "which are here much broken, and often very wet from the springs which trickle over the impervious clay to the beach," I soon observed remains of shells in various parts of the gault, but, on attempting to dig them out, I found that it was almost impossible to obtain them in perfect condition; however, I managed to get a few specimens of such species as Inoceramus concentricus and I. sulcatus, Ammonites interruptus and A. auritus. These Ammonites were mostly broken in extricating them from the clay in which they were found.

I then turned my attention to the beach, and found the fossils were much more plentiful there, but they were in most cases in the form of interior casts

Fig. 27.-Aporrhais Parkinsonii.

found hollows in the gault filled by a deposit consisting of small fossils, pebbles and fragments of ironpyrites. I here found many small species, some of which I have not yet got named, Aporrhais Parkinsonii and A. rostellaria, rather plentiful, but very imperfect. Hamites tuberculatus, only broken parts of this species could be found, also portions of serpula tubes, and encrinite stems. Corbula gaultina, two specimens only were found on this occasion, but, being much pleased with my first attempt at collecting fossils, I went again, and obtained many specimens of Corbula gaultina and also Cardita tenuicosta, Solarium ornatum, some nearly perfect. Acteon