70 Tue Microscope. 
THE WONDERS OF PLANT LIFE UNDER THE MICROSCOPE. By Sophie 
Bledsoe Herrick. 12 mo., pp. 249. Fig. 85. G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 
New York, 1883. 
The above embraces a collection of articles that the author 
had published in Sertbner’s Monthly, with a number of chap- 
ters added. The work is divided into ten chapters, commenc- 
ing properly with “The Beginnings of Life, and Single Celled 
Plants,” and closing with the higher forms of the “ Insectiv- 
orous Plants.” There is nothing more curious and interesting 
in itself than a study of these same insectivorous plants, and 
by the clear explanation given much has been done to popular- 
ize these favorites of Darwin. The author has had her usual 
happy style in presenting her subject, and the book is not only 
interesting as a book, but it has a permanent value as well. 
The illustrations are in the highest style of the art and the 
binding of the best quality, with bevelled-edge cover embossed 
in gold. A handsome book for the centre-table; a valuable one 
for the library of the microscopist. 
THE KINGDOMS OF NATURE, OR LIFE AND ORGANIZATION FROM THE 
ELEMENTS TO MAN. By Ransom Dexter, A. M., M. D., LL. D., 
late Professor of Zoélogy in the University of Chicago. Large 
8 vo., pp. 515. Fully illustrated. 1884: Fairbanks, Palmer & Co., 
Chicago. 
Just how to present the leading facts in Natural History in 
an intelligible manner to the average reader and yet keep with- 
in the bounds of science, is no small task in itself. The author 
tells us that his work was written for popular use, and it cer- 
tainly deserves a very popular use. Commencing with the low 
forms of life, as the bacteria and fungi, it follows on to the high- 
est intelligence. A chapter ‘‘ On the Relations of the Face*to 
the Axis of the Body ” is decidedly interesting. ‘‘ The relation 
of the face to the axis of the body is the typical expression or 
exponent of the relative strength of the physical and mental 
factors and their mutual relations upon each other.” It is one 
