General Notices. 233 



botanical notices and information. By Wm. Jackson Hooker, LL.D, F.R. 



A. & L.S. &c. Parts I. and II. 8vo. London, 1834. 



We are glad to see a new series of this work commenced at a reduced 

 price. To botanists in every part of the world, it will be alike interesting 5 

 and even the mere horticulturist, and the general reader, will occasionally find 

 scraps " in the arts, in medicine, and in domestic economy," which will interest 

 him. For example, it is stated that the inferiority of the dried figs of Madeira 

 is owing to the radiation of heat from the figs while drying ; in consequence of 

 which, instead of their becoming properly dry, moisture is deposited on them 

 from the warm circumambient atmosphere, (p. 32.) In Dalmatia, a botanist, 

 without stirring from the spot where he was sitting, could at once collect 

 twenty-one different species of plants, of which only two are to be found in 

 Germany, (p. 79.) Observations on some of the classical plants of Sicily, 

 by John Hogg, M.A. F.L.S. &c. (p. 98.) contain many curious notices, in 

 addition to those, by the same writer, which will be found in our Mag. Nat. 

 Hist., vol. iii. p. 105. But we refer the reader to the work itself. 



The Practical Irrigator or Drainer. By George Stephens, Land- Drainer, Irri- 

 gator, &c. A new edition. 8vo. London, 1834. 



Having before given some account of this work (V. 317.), and characterised 

 it as " plain and practical," we have only now to state that this new edition 

 has received considerable additions and improvements, and that we think 

 the work, taken altogether, is the best extant on the subjects upon which 

 it treats. 



An Address to the Owners and Occupiers of Land in Great Britain and Ireland, 

 on the important Discovery of the Decomposition of common Salt, for the Pur- 

 poses of Manure ; whereby an Acre of Land is prepared for the Reception of 

 any Crop, at a Cost of Ten Shillings only. By Henry Kemp. Pamph. 8vo. 

 London, 1834. 



The substance of this pamphlet of 72 pages is, that soda, sown on poor 

 land, at the rate of 10*. worth per acre, will add a third part to the agricultural 

 produce ; that the author has discovered a cheap mode of liberating soda from 

 common sea salt : but that, before he discovers this to the public, he must 

 either have a reward from parliament, or a handsome subscription. If he 

 cannot get either, perhaps he will try Mr. Sutton's mode of publishing, (p. 154.) 



The Calendar of Nature ; or Natural History of the Year. With twelve designs, 

 by George Cattermole. 12mo. London, 1834. 



This is a reprint of a work, by the late Dr. Aikin, with additions to the 

 letterpress, and a series of most beautiful wood engravings. It is well cal- 

 culated for giving young persons a taste for natural history, and for reminding 

 all, in a few words, of the characteristics of each month. We can therefore 

 strongly recommend it to them who either love the country, or who wish to 

 infuse a taste for its peaceful occupations and harmless enjoyments into their 

 children. 



MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



Art. I. General Notices. 



A Statistical Society, that is, a society for collecting and arranging facts 

 of every kind, as well agricultural as topographical, moral, political, &c, 

 was formed in London, on March 14th. It may be considered as a branch 

 of the British Association for the Advancement of Knowledge ; and, what that 

 association is likely to effect for science, this is intended to do for the social 

 condition of mankind. A Statistical Society was founded three or four years 



