136 NOTICES OF SERIALS. 



structural peculiarities observed in brown Metbill and Torbanehill coals, which led 

 him to conclude that the Torbanehill mineral was not a coal, while the brown 

 Methill was the scattered vessel on which he relied being found in both. To this 

 Dr. Bennett replied, that in the case of the brown Methill coal, the structures 

 alluded to formed the organic basis of the coal, which was not the case in the 

 Torbane mineral where they were purely accidental. Dr. Fleming considered the 

 remarks of Dr. Wilson on bituminous shale as an attempt to draw attention away 

 from the real subject under discussion, and, in reply to Dr. Bennett's statement, 

 that * coal could not be formed of cellular tissue, without the intermixture of vas- 

 cular to a large extent," mentioned, from his own observation, the formation of a 

 bed of peat, many feet in thickness, by a single cellural plant, having no vascular 

 tissue whatever, Tricortomum lanuginosum. Dr. Greville was desirous of correcting 

 a misapprehension of some of his evidence at the trial, in regard to the yellow 

 bodies seen in the Torbanehill mineral ; he was far from saying that they were 

 actual cells in their normal condition ; but, in his own mind, he was perfectly satis- 

 fied that the mineral had a vegetable basis. Seeing there was so much difference of 

 opinion on this subject among scientific men, he thought it a great comfort to 

 those of them who had been examined on the trial, that the decision was not founded 

 on their evidence. Retrospect ; Querist. 



No. 40, June, 1854 : — (Donaldson, George) The Craig of Ailsa ; (Edward, T.) 

 List of Raised Echinodermata, of Banffshire ; Notes on British Swallows ; 

 (M'Intosh, J.) Injurious Insects — No. 1., The Earwig, Forficula auricularia ; 

 Miscellaneous Notices ; Reviews ; Proceedings of Societies ; Retrospect. 



Journal of Industrial Progress. No. 4, April; No. 5, May; No. 6, June. 

 Edited by W. K. Sullivan. 8vo. Dublin: W. B. Kelly. Price Is. each. 



The connection of industrial progress with the labours of the naturalist is much closer 

 than is generally imagined, and the pages of this journal fill a blank long felt and 

 acknowledged in Irish literature. With industrial resources richer than most coun- 

 tries, Ireland has long been neglected by the man of wealth and enterprise ; the 

 causes which led to so unfortunate a result does not fall within our promise to com- 

 ment upon ; but we trust, from the appearance of such a periodical, and the ability 

 with which it has been conducted, that a brighter prospect is now opening 

 out in the development of its resources. The zeal and energy which cha- 

 racterize our fellow labourers, will quickly prove, even to the most sceptical, that 

 habits of observation are of importance, even in an economic point of view ; and 

 before long we will see their importance more justly appreciated in any schemes of 

 education which may emanate, either from our universities or those schools which 

 may be regarded as preparatory to them. 



Among the papers of interest to the naturalist in these numbers will be found 

 one on the artificial breeding of the Leech (Hirudo-medicinalis). 



