1894- SOME NEW BOOKS. 149 



the excursions made by the Congress, deaHng somewhat extensively 

 with the geology of the western United States. The excursions, three 

 in number, comprised the following : {a) The neighbourhood of Wash- 

 ington ; {b) the Rocky Mountains ; {c) Lake Superior, and the reports 

 occupy some 330 pages. Maps, sections, and illustrations are given 

 in quantity, as well as a sketch of the literature of each district, and 

 the volume thus possesses the usual permanent value of these reports. 

 It is a pity, however, that so long a time has lapsed before 

 publication. 



The Journal of Marine Zoology and Microscopy (May, 1894) con- 

 tinues to grow apace both in size and interest. This new number 

 contains papers on " Sexual Colouring in the Cuckoo Wrasse," " The 

 Significance of Dual Opercula in Serpulids," " Abnormal Muscular 

 Bands in Salpa," as well as descriptions of the beautiful microscopical 

 preparations sent out to the subscribers. The slides sent out this time 

 contain the Phyllosome stage of Scyllarus, and four sections illustrative 

 of the structure of the Anemones. That the Jersey Biological Station 

 is progressing is only what we should expect, the situation being 

 especially advantageous for the collection of marine objects. That 

 it has many friends is evident by the ready response that has been 

 made to a request for donations to the Library. We heartily wish 

 Messrs. Sinel and Hornell the success they deserve. 



Mr. G. S. Perrin sends us a reprint of a paper on Australian 

 Timbers, read before the Royal Victorian Institute of Architects. The 

 species of Eucalyptus supply the greater number of the useful woods, 

 one of the commonest and best being the Blue Gum {E. globulus). The 

 Hum or Macquarie Harbour Pine [Dacrydium Franklinii) is said to 

 take precedence of all Tasmanian timber for lasting qualities, beauty, 

 and easiness of working, while Western Australia has a large source 

 of wealth in her immense jaivah forests [Eucalyptus iiiavgmata). The 

 author lays stress on the great importance of a rational conservation 

 of forests, suggesting that when the reckless waste in America has 

 caused a serious shortening of the timber export from that country, 

 Australia will be looked to to supply the deficiency. 



The Jura of extra-European countries is receiving attention. The 

 Zeitschrift der Deutschen Geologischen Gesellschaft, Bd. xlvi.. Heft, i, con- 

 tains a paper by Dr. K. Futterer on the Jura of East Africa, 

 with six plates chiefly devoted to the illustration of Ammonites. The 

 fossils obtained from Mombassa, Tanga, etc., are considered to indi- 

 cate beds of Callovian, Oxfordian, Kimeridgian and Tithonian age. 



Mr. J. T. Cunningham has two interesting papers in the last 

 number of the journal of the Marine Biological Association. The 

 first, on "The Life History of the Pilchard," traces the development 

 of this fish from the egg until nine days old, when the observations 

 were stopped by the death of all the specimens. The second paper 

 deals with the ovaries of fishes, and refers to those of the plaice, dab, 

 flounder, sole, turbot, and brill. 



From Mr, David Nutt we have received Schroter's " Coloured 

 Vade-mecum to the Alpine Flora," fourth edition, price 7s. This is 

 a handy guide to alpine flowers, and will be of considerable service 



