1893. SOME NEW BOOKS. 471 
The morainic débris has travelled from a spot forty-five miles to the 
south. 
We have already remarked on the great importance to Queens- 
land of its mineral wealth, and readers will not be surprised to find 
that a large part of this monograph relates to mines and mining. 
Indeed, we are somewhat surprised to see that the Government of 
a young country like Queensland has been so far-seeing as to under- 
stand the necessity of studying also the scientific aspects of the 
subject, and has gone to the expense of publishing so good a series 
of plates of fossils. This is as it should be, for even looked at from 
a purely economic point of view, it is most essential that the 
relations of the different deposits should be thoroughly understood, 
and their fossils ascertained, for the suitability of large areas for 
habitation depends mainly on the supply of water from artesian 
wells; other barren districts may be made profitable by the 
discovery of new mineral resources. One has, of course, no right to 
expect completeness at this early stage, and we think that Mr. Jack 
shows a thorough appreciation of the necessities of the case when 
he writes in his preface that ‘“‘ The highest function of a Geological 
Survey is to lay a basis for future scientific observations by accurately 
mapping the relations of the various formations met with in a given 
district.” He ‘cannot say that this beau ideal has been reached in 
Queensland. In every country, and especially in every new country, it 
becomes necessary in the first place to give attention to districts 
remarkable for the presence or prospects of mineral deposits.”’ 
Les Acres FRANGAISES; la flore et la faune, le rdle de l‘homme dans les Alpes, la 
transhumance. By A. Falsan. 8vo. Pp. viii. and 356. With 77 figures in the 
text. Paris: J. B. Bailli¢re et Fils, 1893. Price 3fr. 50c. 
WE have already noticed the first part of M. Falsan’s work on the 
French Alps, namely, that dealing with the mountains, streams, 
glaciers, and meteorology, or the inorganic phenomena. The second 
part, now before us, treats of the animal and plant-life prevalent to- 
day or in past ages, as well as the part played by man. M. Falsan 
has been fortunate in securing efficient helpers for the special sections 
of his book. Thus, the Marquis de Saporta is responsible for the 
Palzobotany, which forms the subject of the second chapter, while, at 
the end of Chapter I., a general introduction by the author to the 
ancient Alpine flora, and its relation to the present one, the Marquis 
and M. Marion explain their theory ‘‘sur l’origine montagnard de 
la flore des Alpes.” 
Dr. Magnin follows, in Chapter III., with a succinct account of 
the vegetation of to-day, discussing, first, the influence of altitudes 
and the consequent modifications of species; secondly, the zones of 
vegetation, of which he makes four, viz.: (1) The Préalpes, or 
western outer Alps; (2) the granitic central Alps; (3) the south-west 
Alps; (4) the maritime Alps. In each case are mentioned the plants 
especially characteristic of the zones, and their geographical or 
altitudinal subdivisions. Next he briefly refers to the influence of 
the aspect, whether north or south, S.E. or N.W., and the nature 
of the soil as regards the marked difference between the vegetation 
of the silicious and calcareous districts, and finally discusses its 
relation with neighbouring regions, the central and eastern Alps, the 
central plain and the Pyrenees. 
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