1898] NOTES AND COMMENTS 373 
directly traversed by canals. The chambers are also irregularly 
divided by thin, apparently non-perforate, partitions. The walls 
are now of crystalline calcite of secondary origin and- nothing is 
known of their original characters. 
This sponge is closely allied to forms from the Productus lime- 
stone of the Salt Range, India, and from the province of Asturias, 
Spain. So far as mode of growth is concerned, these Carboniferous 
Calcisponges resemble the similarly segmented sponge genera 
Barroisia, Thalamopora, Tremacystia, &c., from the Lower and Upper 
Greensand, but no true comparison is possible until the minute 
nature of the wall in the palaeozoic forms has been ascertained. 
If this should prove to be spicular in character, there can hardly be 
any further doubt of their relationship to the Cretaceous genera 
referred to. These latter have recently been placed with the 
Sycons by Dr Rauff, but their true systematic position is not 
yet fully established. It should be remembered that the segmented 
mode of growth is not limited to the Pharetron Calcisponges ; it is 
also well shown in the Jurassic Hexactinellid genus, Casearia of 
Quenstedt. 
BOTANY AND AGRICULTURE 
WE have received several publications which are of interest to the 
agriculturist abroad. From New South Wales comes a “ Manual of 
the Grasses” of the colony, issued by the Government botanist, Mr 
J. H. Maiden. It is a praiseworthy attempt to bring the native 
grasses before the farmer and botanist, not only for purposes of 
identification, but as a guide for their cultivation and improve- 
ment. New South Wales has, according to present knowledge, 
about 200 indigenous species included in 56 genera, and of each 
of these the author gives an adequate botanical description (in 
English), with references to figures previously published, and in 
addition any information he has been able to gather on the 
value as fodder and other uses. There are also notes on habitat 
and geographical range in the Continent. Of some of the species 
useful figures, including habit and floral dissections, are given. 
Mr Maiden also sends a pamphlet on the vegetation of Lord 
Howe Island, to which he paid a short visit at the beginning of 
the year. His collections have resulted in several additions to the 
flora of this little island, which, as at present known, includes 217 
indigenous species of flowering plants and ferns, with 20 introduced 
ones. The chief difficulty with which the farmer has to contend is 
the wind ; it is said to be no uncommon thing for it to blow strongly 
for three months at a stretch. The wind-break question is therefore 
an important one, and every patch of cultivation is protected by belts 
of indigenous or planted trees. 
