(IF NEAV SOUTH WALES. 413 



Two papers on this subject by Mr. Dallinger, published in the 

 April and October numbers of the " Popular Science Review," are 

 well worth perusal. The first is entitled " Professor Tynd all's Ex- 

 periments on Spontaneous Generation, and Dr. Bastian's Posi- 

 tion ;" the second is headed " Practical Notes on Heterogenesis, 

 a reputed feature of Spontaneous Generation." 



A very interesting volume of the " International Scientific 

 Series" was published early in the year — " Animal Parasites and 

 Messmates," by Professor Van Beneden. The author exhibits, 

 as might be expected from his previous history, a very extensive 

 acquaintance with his subject, but the work throughout is more 

 of a popular than a scientific character. 



Professor Ha 'ckel, who is certainly voluminous enough, if he is 

 nothing else, has published lately a work on what he calls " Peri- 

 genesis." I have not seen the book, but, judging from notices of 

 it, I think it must be about as unintelligible and extravagant as 

 his other productions. 



Some of the most valuable contributions to our knowlege of 

 Nature have been supplied by means of lectures delivered in 

 various places and under various conditions throughout the year. 

 I may instance the Hunterian Lectures on the Relation of Ex- 

 tinct to Existing Mammalia, by Professor Flower, F.R.S., and lec- 

 tures on the Evidence as to the Origin of Existing Vertebrate 

 Animals, by Professor Huxley, F.R.S., &c. These last consisted 

 of a course of six lectures to working men, delivered in the 

 theatre of the Royal School of Mines. I hope the time is not 

 far distant when efforts will be made here to popularize and 

 extend scientific knowledge on such subjects as Biology, Geology, 

 Physics, and Chemistry, in a similar way. There are many whose 

 circumstances and occupations do not admit of their attendance 

 at day classes at the University, who would gladly avail them- 

 selves of an opportunity of acquiring some knowledge of science 

 from competent masters. 



