List of the St. Lawrence AlgcB, 33 



know their character and habits is to know the wisdom and good- 

 ness of our Father in Heaven. 



Many young collectors, and admirers of these plants more 

 mature in y^ars, wish to obtain a more full acquaintance with them 

 than that which their own unaided observations afford ; but they are 

 often at a loss to find out how this may be accomplished. Very few 

 people in this country know anything about the scientific structure 

 and classification of the x^lgae. It is, therefore, a rare thing to find 

 a personal instructor and guide. The next best thing is to pro- 

 cure good books ; but then, where shall we find them ? and what do 

 they cost ? are questions frequently put. 



For the benefit of those who desire to cultivate, in a scientific way, 

 this interesting department of botany, we beg to say that the books 

 which will be of most service to them are neither difficult to obtain 

 nor yet very costly. The best book for this country is a work by 

 Dr. Harvey, of Dublin, recently published by the Smithsonian 

 Institution of Washington. It can be had through any bookseller 

 from the Messrs. Appleton, of New York, at the cost of $6. It 

 is a large quarto size. The plates are most beautiful, and the 

 classification most recent and complete. For a book of its kind 

 it is remarkably cheap. It is entitled ''^ Nereis Boreali-Ameri- 

 cana," The next best book is Harvey's "Atlas of British Sea- 

 Weeds,^' with the little book which accompanies it. This work 

 contains figures of almost every species found in the British 

 waters, and comprises a great part of our American plants. Its 

 cost is three guineas sterling in England, and though somewhat 

 expensive, is really a most delightful and valuable book. " Jlar- 

 vefs Manual of British Marine AlgcB " is a less costly book and 

 one better adapted for beginners, the last edition of which can 

 be procured for about four dollars. A smaller and more ele- 

 mentary work, entitled "Landshorough's Marine Algcje^'' very o-ood 

 and useful for beginners, may be obtained by any bookseller in this 

 country, from Routledge the publisher, at a cost of two dollars. 

 There are other books of a more expensive kind, which mio-ht be 

 named ; but these will enable any one to prosecute, with pleasure 

 and profit, the study of the genera and species of the laro-e sub- 

 kingdom of the Marine Algse. 



The writer of this article will gladly determine any specimens 

 for young collectors that they may find difficult or obscure. He 

 will also be glad to receive for publication, in the Naturalist any 



Can. Nat. 3 Vol. V. No. 1. 



