78 Reviews f ^'c. 



Evenings at the Microscope ; or Researches among the Minuter Organs 

 and Forms of Animal Life. By P. H. Gosse, F.R.S. Neio York : 

 D. Appleton & Co. Montreal: B. Dawson & Son. pp. 480. 



Little need be said in commendation of this new work by Mr- 

 Gosse. His popular writings in the department of Zoology are 

 so well known and highly valued by Students of Natural History, 

 that any thing on his favorite science, which he may now publish, 

 is sure to meet with a favorable reception. To open the path to 

 the myriad wonders of creation which, altogether unseen by the 

 unassisted eye, are made cognisable to sight by the aid of the 

 microscope is the aim and scope of this volume. The revelations 

 of the microscope in the department of the organic world are of 

 the most wonderful and interesting kind, and may well attract 

 the attention of all intelligent and educated persons. The staple 

 of this book consists of original observations by the author. He 

 has set down simply what he himself has seen and what may be 

 seen by any one with the aid of a microscope of ordinary power. 

 He has relieved the dryness of technical description by a. colloqi- 

 al and familiar style in a series of imaginary microscopical con- 

 versaziones. The precision essential to science has, however, never 

 been sacrificed. Throu2;hout the work considerable information 

 is given on the selecting, securing and preparing objects for ex- 

 amination under the microscope, which cannot fail to be highly 

 useful to those who have not books at hand containing special 

 directions on these points. In almost every instance the objects 

 selected for illustration are common things, such as any one with. 

 access to the sea-shore or country-side may easily obtain. The 

 book contains one hundred and thirteen illustrations, all of which, 

 with tbe exception of eighteen, are from the author s own pencil 

 They are also, even in this American edition of the work, en- 

 graved with much accuracy and beauty. To the young we can- 

 not too highly commend this book. With the aid of a microscope 

 its interest will be greatly increased, but with or without such a 

 companion it cannot fail to prove highly instructive. 



Dura Den ; a Monograph of the Yellow Sandstone and its remarkable 

 Fossil remains. By the Rev. John Anderson, D.D., F.G.S., &c. 

 With illustrations. Edinburgh : Thos. Constable & Co. Montreal : 

 B. Dawson & Son. — imp. 8 vo. pp. 96, $3-50. 



This is a truly sumptuous book which any geologist will regard 

 as a real luxury. The illustrations are in the highest style of 



