Notes and Comments. 347 
the investigation to conclude that the formation of this bog 
must have taken place in early post-glacial times ; that infer- 
ence seems:to be confirmed by the paleontological [sic] evidence.’ 
It seems to us that the so-called ‘ geological ’’.and ‘ paleonto- 
logical’ evidence merely confirms the recent date of the horse’s. 
skeleton. 
FOSSIL PLANTS FROM YORKSHIRE. 
At a recent meeting of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, 
Mr. H. H.. Thomas read a preliminary note recording the 
Discovery in the Estuarine Shales of the Yorkshire Coast of 
the spores and sporangia of Coniopteris hymenophylloides and 
Todites williamsoni. In the case of the former species further 
evidence is afforded for the inclusion of this Jurassic type in the 
Cyatheacez, while the spores of Todites are shewn to be almost 
identical with those of the recent Yodea barbara. 
THE BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLANDS. 
We should like to congratulate both author and publisher 
upon the fact that this work is complete ; the final parts having 
recently been issued. Part 19 deals with the divers, petrels, 
grebes, etc., and contains seventeen plates from drawings by 
Lilian Medland. Part 20 includes particulars of rare and 
accidental visitors recorded since the earlier parts of the work 
were produced. There is also an admirable ‘ Scientific Index,’ 
an ‘English Index,’ an extensive and exceedingly useful 
glossary, and a Bibliography relating to British Birds, brought 
down to the year 1900, by W. H. Mullens. This contains a few 
items we should not have expected, whilst a few works, such as. 
Clarke & Roebuck’s ‘ Vertebrate Fauna of Yorkshire,’ are not 
included. A substantial list of subscribers concludes the work. 
There are five volumes in all, containing nearly 1000 pages, 
and over three hundred plates. The excellent paper, large 
type, and the size of the pages (12” 9”), leave nothing to be 
desired. sete 
a 
The Elements of Mining and Quarrying by Sir C. le Neve Foster, D.Sc... 
F.R.S. Second Edition, revised by S. H. Cox. London: C. Griffin & Co. 
XVill. +323 pp. Price 7/6 net. 
In view of the extraordinary ability and facilities for the work possessed. 
by the late Sir Charles le Neve Foster it is not surprising that the treatise 
which he published a few years ago siould have become out of print; and 
certainly few could have been found more fitly to bring the book up to 
modern requirements than Prof. Cox. The book is practically in its. 
original form, though many of the diagrams and tables have been brought 
up-to-date, and a few errors in the first edition have been corrected. There 
is no doubt that every practical mine and quarry owner should have the 
book on his shelves. There are numerous illustrations, those referring to. 
machinery and appliances being particularly numerous. 
Igtt Oct. 1. 
