10 REVIEWS. 



Should Dr. Cocks cany out his present intentions, we can assure him of 

 our most cordial co-operation, as we have from experience learned to value 

 the luxuriant beauty of the specimens of Algse which he has already 

 arranged for distribution among his friends, and in which all the charac- 

 teristic features are most prominently preserved, while the graceful habit of 

 the plants is never sacrificed. 



In the present little work our author's object is merely to assist the 

 collector, by such judicious directions, as will enable him to collect and pre- 

 serve his specimens for future examination. These directions (which also 

 include instructions of how to mount specimens for microscopic exami- 

 nation) are followed by a systematic list of the British Marine Algae, while 

 the volume is concluded by an alphabetical list of them, with localities and 

 times of appearance. We with difficulty refrain from extracting some 

 directions for the management of the more delicate species, and those for 

 the preparation of specimens for the microscope, which we had marked for 

 that pui-pose ; but, on reflection, we will, in justice to their author, content 

 ourselves with strongly advising our algseological readers to purchase, read, 

 and practice the directions of Dr. Cocks for the preservation of these ocean 

 flowers, and we will assure them that the increased beauty of their collec- 

 tions will amply repay the time and money expended. 



WANDERINGS AMONG THE WILD FLOWERS; How to See and How to 

 Gather Them. With Two Chapters on the Economical and Medicinal 

 Uses of our Native Plants. By S. Thomson, M.D., F.RC.S.E. With 

 upwards of 1 70 Engravings. Pp. 338. 8vo. Price 5s. London : 

 Groombridge and Sous. 1854. 



THIS little work contains a pleasing epitome of botanical science ; not, it is 

 true, very scientifically expressed, but sufficiently so, we think, to serve as 

 a stepping-stone to a work like Balfour's Botany. We have, in Part I., 

 a popular treatise on the organs of plants. Part II. contains Classifica- 

 tion of plants, its necessity and use. We need not dwell upon either of 

 these chapters, but will hasten to the next, which is the most original part 

 of this volume. It opens with an account of a student's botanical excur- 

 sion in Scotland. This is interesting, and we append it 



"The rendezvous for one of the Saturdays of July, 1835, had been fixed at the 

 village of Currie, six miles from Edinburgh not then, of course, as now, a railway 

 station ; and, as botanists do not ride, it was walking distance. The trysting-time 

 at the inn, eight o'clock, and breakfast ready ; six, therefore, must be the time to 

 start from town. As bright a July morning as ever dawned it was, a.s the author, 

 with one friend now the Madras editor, Dr. Alexander Hunter started for the 

 meet. Parties of twos, threes, and fours soon gathered, all tending towards the 



