NOTICES OF BOOKS. 29 



of those interested in the subject to contribute to the work. As far 

 as it has gone, contributors have been found in most European countries 

 from Finland to Italy, including Denmark, Hungary, Great Britain, 

 and various parts of Germany. The more interesting specimens, how- 

 ever, to English botanists, perhaps, are those derived from extra- 

 European sources, as the United States, South Africa, and Tasmania. 

 The energy of the editor in thus working up contributions from remote 

 and comparatively little-known lands is very creditable, as is also the 

 preparation and arrangement of the specimens. Of the work itself 

 there is perhaps rather a preponderance of parasitic epiphytal species, 

 such as the Puccinm, ^cidica, and Peronosporce, especially as these 

 plants have been so well represented in other herbaria. On looking 

 through the fasciculi, one cannot but be struck with the polygeneric 

 nomenclature so much in vogue just now upon the Continent. Fortu- 

 nately, however, the editor has retained as synonyms most of the older 

 names, and we hope he will continue this practice, if it be only for 

 the benefit of English botanists, for it is not always one can remember 

 that by Pseudoplectinia, Belonidium, and Stamnaria nothing more is 

 meant than Peziza. Amongst the transatlantic specimens we are 

 pleased to find many species of Schweinitz, Berkeley, Ravenal, and 

 Curtis represented. There are several new plants published now for 

 the first time. Thus, for example, the last fasciculus contains ^cidium 

 ornamentale, Klchbr., a very striking-looking fungus on Acacia 

 horrida, from the Cape of Good Hope ; Urocystis magica, Pass., upon 

 Allium magicum, from Parma; Fusarium Bagnistanum, Thm., from 

 Central Italy ; and some others. It also includes the interesting 

 Cyttaria Gunnii, Berk., on evergreen Beech from Tasmania, of which 

 one so often hears in mycological works. Chakles B. Plowright. 



A Course of Practical Instruction in Elementary Biology. By. T. H. 

 HuxLEr, LL.D., Sec. R.S. Assisted by H. N. Martin, B.A., 

 M.B., D.Sc. London : Macmillan and Co. 1875. (8vo, 

 pp. 268.) 

 TIndeu the term Biology in this country it has been for some years 

 customary with those engaged in teaching to include Zoology and 

 Botany ; it is pretty nearly what was formerly called JSTatural History, 

 though with perhaps a more special aspect towards the physiological 

 and morphological parts of the subject. In his courses at the School 

 of Mines Prof. Huxley has for many years given fully the characters 

 of certain selected type plants as well as animals, as an introduction 

 to his special zoological lectures, and since the new buildings at 

 South Kensington have been opened he has been able in the labora- 

 tories there provided to add to this practical instruction by the actual 

 examination of these types by the students themselves. The present 

 book is meant to be a laboratory guide, indicating the mode of procedure 

 in this practical biological work : — " A number of common and readily 

 obtainable plants and anima's have been selected in such a manner as 

 to exemplify the leading modifications of structure which are met 

 with in the vegetable and animal worlds. A brief description of each 

 is given ; and the description is followed by such detailed instructions 

 as, it is hoped, will enable the student to know of his own knowledge 

 the chief facts mentioned in the account of the animal or plant." 



