176 tresidext's address. 



ill the case of the Ferns^ it has answered admirably ; for the 

 numerous veins, branchlets, and small stems, are conspicuously 

 brought out, and look like freshly-dried specimens. 



The process is well adapted for the less succulent leaves, and 

 for many of the Musci, Fuci, and Polypcecice; but, for the more 

 delicate flowers and plants, it will not suit ; because to these it 

 imparts a stiffness and harshness, which to the eye are very un- 

 pleasing. It wants the natural finish, delicacy, and softness, in 

 which its sister art, Photograpliij, is so successful. This last 

 process, in the perfect representation of many natural objects, is 

 inimitable ; and in those, wherein it has as yet failed, and 

 wherein there now exists some confusion of light and shade, we 

 may expect to see ere long many improvements ; and possibly 

 the Light, or Sun, may still be taught, under different chemical 

 preparations, to perpetuate on paper, in addition to the true out- 

 lines and exquisite shapes of plants, birds, shells, insects (espe- 

 cially Butterflies), fishes, &c., the very colours in which nature has 

 painted them. Also Light-engraving is very excellent in 

 picturing Geological Strata, as exposed in cliffs, rocks, chasms, 

 and mountain ruins, as well as in giving modern buildings aiid 

 ruins of ancient architecture ; and likewise to the Meteorologist, 

 or the Observer of Celestial Phenomena, it is highly serviceable, 

 since the appearance of the passing clouds, and the delicate 

 beauties of the sky in all its varied forms, are represented per- 

 manently, by being submitted for a second or two, to the rays of 

 the Great Heavenly Luminary, with a perfection as exquisite as 

 it is faithful. 



Part IV. (for 1856) of Vol. 21, of the Linnean Transactions 

 contains a good "description of Peachia hastate f,'''' a new animal- 

 plant, found at Torquay, in 1854, with a beautiful plate (tab. 28); 

 to which are added " Observations on the Family Actiniadce,''^ by 

 Mr. P. H. Gosse. The same part also gives an important 

 " monograph of the Leucosiadce^'' or ten-footed crabs, illustrated 

 ^'ith five plates, by Professor Bell. The " Introduction to Crypto- 

 gamic Botany," by the Rev. M. J. Berkeley, can scarcely be 

 termed an "Introduction," since it is so learnedly written, and 

 the subject itself so abstruse, that a more simple work should be 



