1JS8G.J UKVIFAW'S OF BOOKS. 717 



The various forest districts are emiineratecl, and computations of 

 tlie area occupied by forests in each, along with lists of the various 

 trees, containing their ordinary and scientific names, are given, which 

 are interesting as far as they go to the scientific as data regarding 

 the distribution of the different species, and must be of considerable 

 value to those engaged in the lumbering trade. An interesting 

 chapter is devoted to an account of " Canadian Trees and their 

 Woods," in which the species are enumerated and the wood each 

 described and its uses indicated, and in most instances other products 

 as far as they are utilizable are also described. There is also a 

 short chapter devoted to the consideration of the minor products of 

 the forest exclusively, but we should think this would bear extending 

 considerably in point of tlie variety of those treated upon. 



lite Scoltitili Gcograpliical MiKjazinc. Edinburgli : Scottish 

 Geographical Society. 



'I'liE February number of this Magazine is one of unusual fulness 

 and interest to more than the ordinary class of readers. A paper 

 on East Central Africa and its Commercial Outlook, by Joseph 

 Thomson, F.E.G.S., deals most uncompromisingly with the numerous 

 fallacies that have been recently set up respecting the countries and 

 states of equatorial Africa, to induce confiding capitalists to invest 

 in projects for the development of African trade ; he corrects false 

 but commonly-entertained views regarding the extreme fertility and 

 salubrity of many districts of East Africa, and draws the general 

 conclusion that the physical and climatic difficulties, and the inboni 

 indolence, low intelligence, and hostility of the races, render the 

 development of commerce and civilisation in East Central Africa a 

 problem involving long-continued effort and precarious and remote 

 results. 



The paper on " The Ancient Civilisation, Trade, and Commerce of 

 ]''ast Africa," exhibits great research on the part of the author, and 

 aliQunds in facts of the greatest interest on the character of trade, 

 and the modes of conducting it in Eastern Africa, and the countries 

 around it, more than 2000 years ago. 



Considerable interest will naturally at the present time centre in 

 the paper by Holt S. Hallett, C.E., F.E.G.S., on the " Exploration 

 Survey for a Eailway Connection between India, Siam, and China." 

 Our recent annexation of Upper Burmah renders the opening up 

 of the populous regions lying between our older Indian possessions 

 and China now practicable; and no doubt there will be a rapid 

 development of trade in consequence. JNIuch interesting information 

 is given regarding the countries, their inhal)itants, and their natural 



