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(136) THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST 
As an example of the notes, of their compactness and practical 
nature, we take at hazard the following: ‘“‘ Lyciéum Africum, Linné. 
Afriea and South-Western Asia. The ‘Caffir-Thorn.’ Can with 
many other species be utilized as a hedge-bush. It is evergreen, 
fiercely spiny, easily raised from seeds, readily transplanted, quick in 
growth, stands clipping well, seeds freely, is strong enough to resist 
cattle, and close enough to keep off fowls. 14lbs of seeds at a cost 
of 30s. suffic2 for a mile of hedging, (Th. Lang.)” After tables of 
temperature and of rainfall for the colony follow several useful 
Indices. The first groups the genera according to their uses as 
Alimentary Plants, Avenue-Plants, Dye-Plants, Fodder, Hedge, 
Medicinal, Sand-coast, Timber-Plants, &c. The second Index 
arranges the genera according to their Natural Orders. A 
geographic Index classifies the plants according to their original 
habitats. These are interesting as showing at a glance the Orders 
and the Regions which are most prolific in forms at present used by 
man. The last Index gives the vernacular names alphabetically 
arranged. We are unable to do more than to thus indicate the 
general character and scope of this most practical work, which will 
be invaluable to agriculturists throughout the colony. 
We should wish, though late in doing so, to call the attention of 
naturalists interested in ow marine Zoology to the second yolume 
issued by the Trustees of the Australian Museum, Sydney. The first 
was a Catalogue of Australian Crustacea, by Mr. Haswell, of 
Sydney. The second is a Catalogue of the Australian Hydroid 
Zoophytes by Mr. W. M. Bale, of Melbourne. In a concise intro- 
duction Mr Bale first describes the Hydra an€ Hydroid community, 
with an explanation of the technical terms made use of in the 
description of the group, and also briefly the remarkable phenomena 
of reproduction of the Hydroids. Then follows an account of the 
geographical distribution of the forms found on the Australian 
coasts. The species of the eastern part of the continent only have 
been seriously studied, but of these the northern and the southern 
forms constitute two Faunas so totally distinct that Mr. Bale states 
that he only knows of two species common to the extreme areas. 
A very complete Bibliography of the group is given. The systematic 
portion of the work includes caretul diagnoses of the families and 
genera as well as of the species, so that the study of the group is 
opened up to all. The description and figures of the species, very 
many of them described by Mr. Bale for the first time, are so good 
that identification is rendered easy. The work is thorough from 
beginning to end. The only complaint we have to make against 
the Trustees of the Museum is, that by a too profuse and 
indiscriminate distribution of their publications at first, Australian 
students are unable to obtain copies to aid or direct them in their 
work. 
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