THE QUEHIST, 159 



its prosecution. The volume now before us is rendered doubly interesting 

 from the fact of its being from the pen of a lady, who has had ample oppor- 

 tunities of acquiring the information which she thus pleasantly offers to the 

 students of our Marine Algce. 



She commences by an interesting introduction of some forty pages, in which 

 she fails not to point out the dependance of all created Nature upon that 

 Almighty Being, at whose word worlds were formed, and who yet condescended 

 to exhibit His majesty in the wonderful organization of many minute, but not 

 on that account insignificant creations. 



The next and largest portion of the work, is devoted to the description 

 of the. Families, Genera, and Species of Sea- Weeds indigenous to our shores. 

 These descriptions are concise, but clear and good, and the student will find 

 little difficulty in naming his specimens by them. We regret however that 

 in some few, and they are very few, instances, the promise on the title-page 

 is not fulli/ carried out; certain of the very rare plants not being described. 

 We trust that Miss Gifford will forgive us for illustrating our remark by one 

 quotation. — Page 115, "Folysiphonia spinulosa — an extremely rare species, of 

 which only one specimen was found by the late Captain Carmichael, at Appin, 

 Argyle." This can hardly be said to be a description; but we should not 

 have thought it worthy of remark except for the notice on the title-page, to 

 the effect that there were descriptions of all the species. Notwithstanding this 

 very trifling drawback, we can recommend "The Marine Botanist" as a 

 very useful and valuable book, and we do most sincerely hope that a fowih 

 edition may soon be required, in which these deficiencies may be supplied. This 

 being the third edition, is a pretty good proof that the omission has not, so 

 far, interfered with its usefulness. 



The work concludes with a Glossary of terms, and plain, though short, 

 directions for ^'collecting, laying down, and preserving Sea- Weeds." The 

 descriptions are illustrated by twelve plates, in which thirty species are faith- 

 fully figured. Six of these plates are coloured, and are extremely good substitutes 

 for the plants themselves. That of Porphyra laciniata struck us as being not 

 only an extremely pretty drawing, but as nearly as possible a fae-simile of 

 the plant itself. We trust we have said sufficient to induce very many of 

 our readers to become purchasers of the subject of our notice. 



Perhaps some one of the numerous readers of your interesting pages can inform me whether 

 there are any well authenticated instances of the occurrence in England of the Thrush Warbler, 

 C Philomela Turdoides;J I shall be also glad to know whether the Great Northern Shrike, 

 (Lanius BorealisJ has ever paid a visit to our shores.—/. Cavafy, Brighton, Mav 7th 

 18.53. 



Bird's Eggs.—'S.. S., of Richmond, may procure any eggs that he may require of J. E. Warwick, 

 Naturalist, 23, New Street, Kennington Road, London.—/. 0. Harper, Norwich, May 8th., 1853. 



