134 Reviews— Dr. J. Murray's Malta. 



In the Berlin specimen the height of the tree stump, measured 

 from the first dichotomy of the root, is 1"30 metres (4-26 feet). In 

 the famous Dixon Fold fossils, casts of which are preserved in the 

 Manchester Museum, the stem measures in one case 2ft. 6in., in the 

 other 6ft. 6in.^ 



To compare the roots. In the Clayton specimen (Owens College 

 Museum) the roots attain a greater length than in the Berlin 

 specimen : in both cases the several subdivisions of the dichotomous 

 branches are fairly uniform in size, in the latter specimen the longest 

 terminal root branch measures 2*20 metres (7"21ft.), in the former 

 the longest ultimate branch has a length of 12ft. Sin. Potonie 

 compares the dichotomous branching of Stigmaria to that of 

 Isoetes. Photographs are given of such portions of the stem where 

 the carbonaceous covering shows any surface-markings ; these occur 

 in the form of more or less spirally arranged spindle-shaped 

 prominences, which represent the points of exit of the primary 

 medullary rays from the wood into the cortex. 



Attention is called to a well-marked longitudinal striation 

 (" Langsstreifung ") on the surface of the carbonaceous layer ; this 

 is regarded by Potonie as the expression of the elongated elements 

 of the wood. For this striation, which is seen not infrequently on 

 decorticated Lepidodendra and Sigillaria, the term " Holzstreifung" 

 is proposed. A. C. Seward. 



YII. — The Maltese Islands, with Special Eefekence to their 

 Geological Structure. By John Murray, LL.D., F.R.S., 

 F.R.S.E. Scottish Geographical Magazine, September, 1890, 

 Geological Map and Sections, Two Plates and Woodcuts. 



THE Scottish Geographical Magazine is fast becoming one of the 

 most important geological serials published in this kingdom. 

 This paper by Dr. Murray is only one of many valuable con- 

 tributions to geology which have been published in its pages. The 

 Geology of Malta was sadly in need of some one to collect together 

 the previous observations of others, and to add those of practical 

 experience. Dr. Murray has done this work well, and by appending 

 a fairly complete bibliography has earned the thanks of all 

 geologists, as well as those of the student of deep-sea deposits. 

 The first eleven pages (pp. 449-459) of the paper are occupied with 

 a brief history of the islands (Malta, Gogo, Comino, Cominotto, and 

 Filfola), geographical, climatal, botanical, zoological, historical, and 

 economic; the remaining pages (459-488) are devoted to the geology 

 and mai'ine deposits off the coasts. The rocks are all of Tertiary 

 age, and have been variously classed as Eocene, Oligocene, and 

 Miocene by different observers. About 1150 feet of strata are 

 exposed, each of which yields an interesting fauna, while numerous 

 remains of the later inhabitants of the islands are found in the 

 fissures which exist in various localities. The deposits are treated 

 in order, and appended to each is an important and full list of the 

 Foraminifera, the most abundant organisms in the rocks, supplied 



^ A monograpli on the Morphology and Histology of Stigmaria Ficaides by "W. C. 

 "Williamson, LL.D., F.E.S. (Palseontographical Soc. vol. ior 1886, London). 



