2 REVIEWS. 



mind and the close application required by those who study to separate 

 genus from genus, and species from species, to arrange the too often dis- 

 jointed and chaotic mass presented to them by the mere observer ; but we 

 confess our sympathies are with those who prefer to make acquaintance with 

 the living and not the dead — who draw their descriptions, not from the 

 distorted caricatures which disgrace our museums, but who love to woo 

 nature in her wildest retreats, and who present portraits which bear stamped 

 upon them the impress of the originals. To this class of observers belongs 

 the author of the " Rambles of a Naturalist on the Devonshire Coast" 

 Mr. Gosse has long since won a high name as an acute observer, 

 and his reputation as a most agreeable writer is already so well established, 

 that a work from his pen need only be announced to be gladly welcomed 

 by a large circle of admirers ; and the present will ably support the pre- 

 vious character of its talented author. It contains much curious informa- 

 tion respecting the lower forms of animal life, derived from close observa- 

 tion, and the investigations recorded in its pages are of the highest interest 

 to the naturalist, particularly those connected with the development and 

 embryology of the zoophytes, and the varied forms and curious properties 

 of the Thread-capsules in the Polypes and Medusae. Many of these are 

 accompanied by illustrations, of which the volume contains twenty-eight, 

 twelve of which are printed in colours, and very accurately depict some of 

 the rarer organisms described in its pages. Among the animals figured is 

 one of more than ordinary elegance of form, which Mr. Gosse, believing to be 

 undescribed, named Johnstonella-Catharina, in honour of Mrs. Johnston, 

 whose skilful pencil has so ably depicted many of our native zoophytes. 

 We regret to rob Mrs. Johnston of so graceful a compliment ; but the ani- 

 mal figured has long been known as Tomopteris onisciformis, and a 

 very able memoir has appeared of its structure, by Grube, in Muller's 

 Archiv. for 1848. It is an animal very widely distributed, having been 

 frequently captured in the Southern Pacific. 



The circumstances under which this work was penned render it pecu- 

 liarly interesting ; it is a record of how an invalid passed his forced 

 leisure — 



M A mirror of the thoughts and feelings which occupied the mind of the writer 

 during a nine months' residence on the charming shores of North and South Devon ! 

 Pursuing an occupation which always possesses new delight — the study of the curious 

 forms, and still more curious instincts of animated beings." 



When obliged to leave London, by the recommendation of his medical 

 attendants, the instincts of a true naturalist led Mr. Gosse to seek renewed 

 health and strength " among the shells and nudibranches, the sea anemones 

 and corallines of fair Devonshire." By the advice of a friend, the village 



