1862.] REVIEW. 309 



undergoing the retting process (steeping), whereby much of the 

 finer fibres are rotted and the tenacity and strength of the staple 

 much diminished. 



Much valuable matter on this subject may be seen in the late 

 Dr. Forbes Royle's excellent work on the fibrous plants of India. 



Mr. Dickson's pet material, Rheea-fibre, appears, from his 

 statement, which has the external evidences of veracity stamped 

 on it, to be superior to jute and to all other fibres hitherto em- 

 ployed in manufactorial esta])lishments. The profits estimated 

 on the use of his machinery aud patent liquid are excessive and 

 incredible, but that he has either discovered or introduced a va- 

 luable textile material, there is no reasonable doubt. We know 

 that the fibre of many plants of the Nettle family can be, and is, 

 manufactured into cloth, ropes, etc. ; and not long ago, in this 

 magazine, the heaps of hopbine were suggested as a fit subject 

 for the experiment. These immense stacks are both unsightly 

 and dangerous. The conversion of their fibre into ropes, sails, 

 paper, etc., would be praiseworthy — probably profitable. 



Notes sur quelques PlarUes rares ou critiques cle la Belyique. Par 

 FRAN901S CiiEPiN, de Rochfort. Deuxieme Fascicle. Bruxelles : 

 Libraire de Gustave Myolez, etc. 1862. 



The admirable author of this brochure on Belgian botany is 

 deservedly esteemed as one of the most observant, careful, con- 

 scientious, impartial, and energetic students of the science. The 

 prefaces to his several works which have been submitted to the 

 notice of our readers, are remarkable for the excellence of their 

 matter, and for the temperate, generous, and manly style in 

 which they are delivered. The following remarks on species are 

 quoted as a sample, and as a proof that the high encomiums be- 

 stowed on M. Crepin's labours are not exaggerated. Species, our 

 author admits, is a provoking subject, " un sujet irritant;" it 

 has often been a bad or unproductive subject ; it has angered, 

 fretted, and burnt the fingers of some who have meddled with 

 it, and whose knowledge and philosophy and temper were " in- 

 competent to the matter." 



