HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



IO' 



been named and described from specimens from my 

 cabinet. 



Sporocarpon paeliyderma. — This sporocarpon, at 

 the first glance, appears to be one of the plainest and 

 most uninteresting in the whole lot ; but further 

 examination shows that it possesses certain features 

 which render its study of peculiar interest. It is 

 about the same in size as S. elegans, and has a 

 central nucleus enveloped in one or two membran- 

 eous coats. The sporocarpon wall is thin and struc- 

 tureless ; but this is surrounded by what looks like, 

 under low powers, a mass of structureless tissue of a 

 deep brown colour. From the fact that these organ- 

 isms generally occur in closely aggregated groups, 

 and owing to the apparent structureless character of 

 their investing tissue, it is difficult to make out the 

 exact form which they assume. But when they occur 

 singly, as in some of my sections, they are seen to be 

 of a roundish form, but not exactly spherical. When 

 this investing layer is examined under a high power, 

 say JorJ in., the interesting discovery is made that 

 it consists of an intricate mass of branching tubes, 

 which very much resemble admass of fungoid mycelium. 

 That they are not of fungoid origin is pretty certain, 

 and from the fact of their generally occurring in 

 clusters, I am inclined to think that they are a young 

 stage of one of the other sporocarpons {Sporocarpon 

 Traquaria), which I shall describe in my next paper. 



Halifax. 



NOTES ON NEW BOOKS. 



OF all the obligations under which the student of 

 science has been placed, he feels few more 

 gratefully than the continued issue of the volumes of 

 the "International Scientific Series." No fewer 

 than forty-six have now been presented to the public, 

 each written by the best man who could be thought 

 of, independent of nationality, for true science is 

 cosmopolitan. But we venture to say none of this 

 valuable series will be regarded with greater respect 

 than the last issued : " Elementary Meteorology," by 

 Robert H. Scott, F.R.S., the head of the Meteoro- 

 logical Office, and under whose direction the weather 

 forecasts familiar to all newspaper readers make 

 their daily appearance. This book is devoted to the 

 science of the weather. Everything relating to that 

 fickle subject — instruments for measuring and calcu- 

 lating, methods of observation and inference, &c. — 

 are dwelt upon in simple but attractive detail. The 

 instruments are very properly described first ; for, as 

 the author well says, "the entire superstructure of 

 reasoning in meteorology rests on the foundation of 

 accurate observation " by their means. In Part II. of 

 the book we have an account of the geographical 

 distribution of the different [phenomena, which will 

 serve as a general introduction to the science of 

 physical geography as taught in other text-books. 



We heartily recommend Mr. Scott's book to all 

 students of natural phenomena, but especially to 

 those who have taken up physiography and geology. 



Man before Metals, by Prof. N. Joly (London : 

 Kegan Paul, Trench & Co.), is another of the Inter- 

 national Series. In many respects it is a remarkable 

 book, among others because it claims a very high 

 antiquity for the human race, and yet the author 

 declares himself a devout and orthodox Catholic, 

 showing that religious faith and belief in scientific 

 hypotheses are not necessarily contradictory. As a 

 book to read and enjoy, that before us excels many 

 others of the series. It is written in a very animated 

 style, and deals with the picturesque incidents con- 

 nected with the appearance of primeval man upon 

 the globe. It is profusely illustrated, and, as the 

 author's reading has been very extensive, the student 

 will find this book a complete summary of all that 

 has been discovered and said respecting the antiquity 

 of man, in every part of the world. 



Flora of Hampshire, including the Isle of Wight, 

 by Frederick Townsend, M.A., F.L.S., &c. (London : 

 L. Reeve & Co.) This is a valuable addition to 

 English botanical literature. The subject is dealt 

 with on the broadest lines. Thus we find the 

 position, soils, waste and forest lands, elevation, 

 drainage, rainfall, geology, &c. of the district first 

 treated upon. Hampshire is one of the most interest- 

 ing geological areas in Great Britain, and the botany 

 of a country is in close dependence on the geology. 

 The mere fact that the New Forest lies in Hampshire 

 prepares us for a rich botanical treat. The Isle of 

 Wight is only a geological fragment of Hampshire, 

 quite [as varied in its natural productions, Mr. 

 Townsend divides Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 

 into twelve botanical districts, and he gives a coloured 

 map showing their extension. Every species of 

 flowering plant, and also the well-marked varieties 

 of each species, is given, together with its locality, 

 references to authorities and publications. The 

 Cryptogamia are dealt with in an equally careful and 

 methodical manner. The " Notes on the Districts" 

 contain some thoughtful remarks ; and a valuable 

 chapter is that on the comparison of the flora with 

 that of the neighbouring counties, and of Hampshire 

 mainland with the Isle of Wight. Mr. Townsend 

 has done his work carefully, lovingly, excellently. 



Snakes : Curiosities and Wonders of Serpent Life, 

 by Catherine C. Hopley. (London : Griffith and 

 Farran.) A very handsome and a very interest- 

 ing book. It is written in the genuine spirit of 

 a true naturalist, which sees "nothing common or 

 unclean." Snakes have long been the favourite 

 objects of dislike and horror. In Miss Hopley they 

 have found an apologist and even a champion. The 

 habits, structures, relationships, &c. of snakes are 

 dwelt upon with a charming naturalness. This is a 

 book to read and to enjoy. 



Colin Clout's Calendar, by Grant Allen. (London : 



