NOTICES OF BOOKS. xxxv 



representatives. The author points out that many of the Calamites 

 had a leaf-sheath, so that this supposed distinction from Equisetites falls 

 to the ground. 



A thoroughly trustworthy account of Calamarian anatomy is 

 given, in which the common English type Arthropitys is treated in the 

 fullest detail. A good new figure is given here, showing the connection 

 between the roots — formerly named Astromyelon — and the stem. 



The cones are fully described ; those with structure preserved, 

 both homosporous and heterosporous are first dealt with, and then, 

 in the light of these, the more doubtful specimens showing external 

 characters only are discussed. 



In the treatment of the macroscopic characters of the stem, the 

 provisional genera of Weiss are adopted. 



The chapter finishes with an account of the interesting genus 

 Archceocalamites, the most ancient member of the family known to us. 



The last chapter in the volume, that on the Sphenophyllales, is 

 perhaps the most valuable in the book, for it gives for the first time a 

 coherent and correct account of the whole organisation of these re- 

 markable plants. Previous descriptions, even in the best hand-books, are 

 all either untrustworthy or defective, and until now it has only been by 

 the careful study of original papers that a true idea of the family could 

 be built up. The author's suggestion that these graceful plants may 

 have had a climbing habit is original and worthy of consideration. He 

 adopts the view that this extinct phylum combines Equisetaceous with 

 Lycopodiaceous affinities. 



The book, excellent as it is, is not of course free from errors ; the 

 most startling perhaps, though an obvious slip, is the inclusion of 

 Chondms crispus among Phceophycece ! The manual was so urgently 

 needed, and fulfils its purpose so well, that we hope there may soon 

 be an opportunity of correcting such slight defects in a second edition. 



The illustrations are thoroughly good and business-like. The 

 greater number we owe to the skilled pencil of Mrs. Seward. The 

 second volume will be awaited with considerable interest. 



D. H. S. 



Lectures on the Theory and Practice of Vaccination. By Robert Cory, 

 M.A., M.D. Cantab., F.R.C.P. Lond. London : Bailliere, Tin- 

 dall & Cox. 1898. 



Dr. Cory has for twenty-two years been engaged in the practice 

 and teaching of vaccination, and here in a series of six lectures he has 

 given to the world some account of the results of his unique experience. 

 Lecture I. deals with the reasons which led the legislature of this 

 country to impose the vaccination laws upon the people. It is un- 

 fortunately impossible for the opponents of vaccination at the present 

 day to see examples of the horrors which the " hated rite " is calculated 

 to prevent ; for as a direct result of the widespread adoption of this 

 most valuable preventive measure small-pox is so much less frequent 



