'34 



Northcni Neivs. 



tfenera EuHstriim and Micrasteiias, and a portion of the very extensive 

 i*-enus Cosmarium. These comprise some of the most beautiful species 

 of Desmids and we may especially particularize the g^racefully frinj^ed 

 and ornamented cells of Micrasterias. An interestinjif point concerninj;^ 

 distribution occurs in relation lo this j<-enus. It is, we are informed, generally 

 found in the lakes and bog^s of the older Palaeozoic and Precambnan areas, 

 and several species are exclusively confined to such loclities. Thus we find 

 that only one single record occurs for the East Riding of Yorkshire. 

 Micrasterias tnmcata having been found in bogpools on Ski])with Common ; 

 but on the other hand, Wales, the Lak<- district and Scotland are localities 

 for every species. Messrs. West do not theorize on these facts, but it 

 is clearly significant as to the t-volution and history of the Desmidiacea; 

 that its most highly developed genus should be thus limited. 



The genus Cosmarium, it was hinted in the introduction to the first 

 volume, would some day require to be split up into smaller genera, 

 and the force of this remark becomes obvious when we come to con- 

 sider the large number of species described under this heading. The 

 present volume describes 50 species, an instalment of 126 which constitute 

 merely the first division of the genus. We have indeed progressed far 

 since Pritchard summed up all known species of the genus as 38 in number — 

 not all of which would now be assigned to it at all. But, as our authors 

 acknowledge, their classification of this genus is exceedingly artificial. For 

 instance, the broad distinction drawn for the two large groups, the section 

 with smooth cell walls and the section with rough cell walls, reminds us 

 that in the case of other genera such a distinction is used merely for a 

 varietv and not even for a species— still less for a group of species. 



The plates illustrating this book are well executed and do full justice to 

 the beautiful forms of the Desmids. No higher praise could be given than to 

 .sav that thev quite maintain the high standard set bv the first volume. 



■ ■ R. H. P. 



NORTHERN NEWS. 



We regret to record the death of .Sir Robert L. Patterson, .M. B.O.I'., 

 of Belfast, an occasional contributor to our Journal. 



Part I. of School Nature Study ' has appeared, and consists of 4 pages, 

 price 2d. ' Further editions will be published in May and October.' 



The Manchester Microscopical Society continues to do the good work 

 for which it is so well known, judging from the circulars which are 

 regularly received. 



The Zoological Record for 1904, an invaluable volume, has been issued. 

 Over two thousand new generic, etc., names are recorded, as a result of the 

 work of natuialists for a single }-ear ! 



A recently issued number of the 'Journal of the .Manchester Geographica 

 .Society' contains a well-illustrated account of 'The National Antarctic 

 Fxpedition,' by Captain R. F. Scott, R.N. 



In the February Entomologist's Monthly Magazine Mr. R. S. Bagnall 

 gives some ' Notes on .Some Coleoptera imported into our Northern Ports 

 (Newcastle, .Sunderland and Hartlepool. |' 



'Mainly .d:)out Books' is a gratis pam])hl(l issind three times a year 

 bv the Ceiitral Public Library and .Museum of Boolle. It takes the place 

 of the ' (.hiarterly Jouinal,' previously issued by the Bootle authorities. 



In the February Zoologist the following records occur : A small flock of 

 Cirl-Buntings on Jan. iyt<.\ ; a Shore I.ark on Hilbre Island on Dec. iqth 

 .1005; an Elder oti Dee. 31st, .iiul ;i Knot on I)c(. v>th all in Cheshire. 



Natnr.illst, 



