Notes and Comments. 107 



Dr. Henry Clifton Sorby, F.R.S. It had been subscribed for by 

 friends in recognition of Dr. Sorby's long-life devotion to science 

 and his services in the spread of it. Dr. Sorby is in his eightieth 

 year, and owing to bad accidents it was not thought advisable 

 that he should be present. The subjects that have chiefly 

 absorbed Dr. Sorby's attention, and about which he has written 

 more than one hundred memoirs, are the applications of the 

 microscope to the study of the structure of rocks — a new 

 optical method, by which a 'flood of light ' has been thrown on 

 the science of geology. Not less important was his application 

 of the spectrum microscope to the examination of animal and 

 vegetable colouring matter, and to the detection of blood stains 

 found in criminal investigations, and the origination of the 

 modern method to the study of the structure of iron and steel. 

 His valuable geological, biological, and archaeological researches 

 are familiar to our readers. On several occasions Dr. Sorby 

 has been engaged by the Metropolitan Board of Works to 

 conduct scientific investigations in the Thames, which led to 

 the study of marine plankton. There has been no more 

 ardent and generous worker in securing- the establishment of the 

 Sheffield University, and it was thought fitting that his portrait 

 should adorn its walls. 



BRITISH WOODLICE.* 



Messrs. W. Mark Webb and C. Sillem have for some time 

 been publishing in the Essex Xatiindist detailed accounts of 

 various species of British Woodlice. These have now been re- 

 printed in the form of a monograph, which is well produced, 

 and illustrated by no fewer than twenty-five charming plates. 

 Being printed on extra thick paper, the plates give the volume 

 a much more substantial appearance than it would otherwise 

 have. With their aid, however, it should be a very easy matter 

 to identify any species. In looking through the various ' British 

 localities ' we are astonished to find an almost entire absence 

 of any Yorkshire or Northern Country records ! This should be 

 remedied. The plate we are permitted to reproduce (No. IX.) 

 represents a species which happens to be recorded for 

 Northumberland and Durham. We trust our readers will 

 be able to add to the meagre northern records in ' British 

 Woodlice. ' 



* 'The British Woodlice." Duckwortli & Co. 1906. 54 pages and 

 25 plates. 6/- net. 



1906 April I. 



