116 BtbliograpJdcal Notices, 



question, we may recommend his views to the attentive consideration 

 of our botanical readers. We understand that they have been pre- 

 sented in more detail to the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, and 

 that they have been mentioned with high ajjprobation by Professor 

 Graham in his late retrospective address. On some points they cor- 

 respond in a remarkable manner with the researches of M. Schleiden, 

 which were net published at the time when the author first made 

 known the general result of his inquiries*. 



After what we have said of the character of this work it is almost 

 needless to add our strong recommendation of it to our readers as 

 one which can scarcely fail to be of service to them, in whatever de- 

 partment of natural history they may be engaged. Although spe- 

 cially designed for the medical student the author has taken much 

 pains to adapt it to the general reader, and we trust that he may 

 meet with his reward in the advancement of that philosophical spirit 

 of inquiry which it is his aim to promote. 



Memoirs of the Wernerian Natural History Society for the Years 

 1837-38. Parti. Vol. VIII. 8vo. 1839. 



The Memoirs of this Society have hitherto been published in 8vo 

 volumes at very distant intervals, thereby losing much of their in- 

 terest on account of the long period which elapsed between the 

 reading and publication of the papers, and often forcing gentlemen 

 who had important information to communicate to lay it before some 

 other Association which was more regular in the issue of their Trans- 

 actions ; we are happy therefore to see the present Part, and trust 

 that at the end of each session at least, the more valuable commu- 

 nications which have been read at its meetings may be published 

 and illustrated. We may remark that the price, Qs., is rather be- 

 yond that of the periodicals of the time, while the workmanship is 

 not superior. The papers contained in this part are, 



I. " Observations on the Distinctions, History, and Hunting of 

 Seals in the Shetland Islands." By Lawrence Edmonstone, M.D. 

 Dr.Edmonstone is of opinion that two species only frequent and are 

 permanent natives of the Shetland isles, which he places under the 

 names oiPhoca vitulina and barhata ; the supposed existence of any 

 other large seal being perhaps attributable to the great difference in 

 form between the males and females of his P. barhata or Half-fish. A 



* See • British and Foreign Medical Review,' vol. iv. p. 561. Transla- 

 tions of Dr. Schleiden's papers have appeared in the * Lond. and £din. Phil, 

 Mag.', vol. xii., and * Taylor's Scientific Memoirs', Part VI. 



