72 NATURAL SCIENCE. Jan., 1893. 



is maintained both in the text and ilhistrations. We notice that 

 Casiiayina now figures as a tribe of Conifers, though with a query, and 

 the remark that wlierever placed they constitute a distinct group, which 

 has been compared on as good grounds with the Cryptogams. We 

 regret that the author has followed the change of nomenclature 

 recently introduced by Kuntze, which substitutes Podocarpus, the 

 accepted nanie of a large and well-known genus, for the equally well- 

 known, but very different, PhyUocladits, makes the Sequoia an Arthrotaxis, 

 and for WehnUschia writes Tumboa. 



Dr. p. L. Sclater has issued a privately-printed New List of Chilian 

 Birds, compiled by the late Harry Berkeley James. Some time ago 

 Messrs. Sclater and James agreed to co-operate in the preparation of 

 a work on the Birds of Chili, as a companion volume to Sclater and 

 Hudson's Argentine OnntJiologv. The lamented death of Mr. James 

 last July arrested progress, and his preliminary list of birds, com- 

 piled as a basis for the work, is now published by Dr. Sclater, and 

 prefaced by a short biographical notice. 



Messrs. George Philip & Son's Child-Life Almanac (-price is.) will 

 interest not only children, but nature-lovers of all ages. The aim is 

 to provide kindergarten teachers with suggestions for lessons and 

 observations. The recurring facts of natural history, and the prin- 

 cipal events in the social, poUtical, and intellectual life of the country, 

 will serve as pegs on w^hich to hang instruction. The idea is well 

 carried out. The twelve sheets, each 11 x 8 inches, record not only 

 a goodly number of events of common or special interest, but also in 

 a parallel column, a list of phenological observations, the times of 

 appearing of fiowers, birds, and insects, of the singing or departure of 

 the birds, the leafing or leaf-fall of our common trees, and many 

 other facts which should be of interest. Hints are also given as to 

 out-of-door work available for the time of year, and general observa- 

 tions on pond-life, moth-hunting, bees, or gardening. 



Finally, two prizes of a guinea, one for adults and one for 

 children, are offered for the most complete set of phenological notes 

 for 1893, prepared from actual observation, confirming or supple- 

 menting those of the almanac. We hope Messrs. Philip will receive 

 a goodly number of sets. Efforts to increase the interest in the study 

 of Nature deser\e support. The almanac is very neatly arranged and 

 printed in a somewhat effective cover. 



