2 So The Scott is J i Naturalist. 



the order Balgariecv ? As regards the multiplication of names, the number of 

 species now included under the "genera" of Fries has made it a necessity to 

 break up the latter either into named genera, or into sub-genera, for the con- 

 venience of manipulation. It is more a question of words than of facts ; and 

 while we would deprecate the excessive tendency among many mycologists to 

 form new genera upon very unsatisfactory characters, we recognise that 

 "genera," like the other grades in the classification of the biological king- 

 doms, do not represent groups of invariable value, but rather afford a means 

 of grouping species in a manageable way, and may be of very different value in 

 different orders. 



We are glad to see that the micro-millimetre is the unit in all the numerous 

 measurements of spotidia and asci ; and would suggest that in the next edition 

 of the book the millimetre should be substituted for the inch and line in the 

 measurement of the cups or receptacles. The use of the uncial along with the 

 metrical system has a rather confusing effect upon the mind ; and the metrical 

 system is scarcely less familiar to those for whose use the book is intended. 

 In a second edition we hope also to see Scotch localities figure more largely 

 than they do in this. But such points as can be remedied in a second edition 

 are very minor blemishes upon a book that will serve as a powerful stimulus 

 to renewed investigations on the part of all students of the large and interest- 

 ing order of Diseomycefes, and for which the author deserves the very hearty 

 thanks of all British mycologists. 



The Sumnyside Chronicle is a journal set on foot in the asylum presided 

 over by Dr. Hovvden, to wh">m we are indebted for sending it to us. As was 

 to be expected from Dr. [fowden's connection with it, natural history is not 

 neglected in the competition with other matters, and there are a good many 

 notes on the habits of birds and onother topics of more than mere passing interest. 

 Among these may be mentioned the departure of the Jackdaws from Sunny- 

 side in a body about the last week of July ; " Our Open-air Museum," being 

 a short account of some boulders dredged from the sea-bottom about 30 miles 

 S.S.E. of Montrose, and in the Moray Firth; "The Gopher;" "Rare Birds 

 notes the occurrence of Wild Swans, a Whimbrel, and two specimens of the 

 Black-tailed Godwit, all on the " Back-sands " of the South Esk; and "The 

 Hoodie Crow " is a brief note on that bird's habits. 



The Wesley Naturalist or Monthly Journal of the Wesley 

 Scientific Society has now begun the second year of its existence, with 

 every prospect of success in its aims ; which are to afford a basis of union to 

 Christian students of science, and to show the fallacy of the assertion that there 

 is any necessary antagonism between religion and science. The names of the 

 Editors are a sufficient guarantee of the scientific teaching that it contains ; for 

 the first name is that of the Rev. W. H. Dallinger, the greatest authority of the 

 present day upon the microscopic investigation of the most minute and obscure 

 forms of living organisms, concerning which the wars regarding the origin of 

 life most rage. 



