SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



335 



Fig. 100. 



Fig. 102. 



than most of the older ones hitherto pubHshed. 

 This is to be attributed to the more exact study of 

 these animals during the last decade, especially in 

 regard to embryology, in consequence of the work 

 done in the numerous marine biological stations 

 now established in various parts of Europe and 

 America. In Chapter i. of this work, Mr. 

 Cunningham reviews the modern investigations of 

 the subject. This chapter will be found to contain 

 some thirty pages of great interest, carrying us 

 over the work done from 1862 down to the close of 

 last year. Not the least of this is to be traced to the 

 patient investigations of 

 the science staff of the 

 British Marine Biologi- 

 cal Association at Ply- 

 mouth and elsewhere. 

 When we remember the 

 crude manner of the 

 so-called scientific work 

 of investigation into 

 the natural history of 

 marine fishes in the 

 early sixties, and what 

 we may call the " Buck- 

 land " period, we find 

 the value of the modern 

 systematized research 

 which has lifted the old 

 natural history into 

 several exact sciences. 

 We think of the differ- 

 ent types of knowledge 

 between the two periods 

 as we remember the fact 

 that the popular Com- 

 missioner of Fisheries 

 of the early period on 

 being shown some living 

 herrings in a tank 

 at Rothsay, exclaimed, 

 " Those are no herrings, 

 they haven't red gills." 

 The general plan of the 

 book before us is based 

 upon the latest informa- 

 tion gathered by the 

 author from personal 

 experience and that of 

 other modern investiga- 

 tors ; the former source 

 being by no means the 

 least valuable. The 

 treatment of the sub- 

 jects discussed is so 

 simple and plain that we 

 may call it "popular" 

 in the best sense ; for 

 it may be understood 

 by the least initiated 

 readers. The illustra- 

 tions are generally well drawn and carefully selected 

 to explain what is intended. The drawings are by no 

 means stinted in number, and are largely original, 

 so containing many subjects which have not been 

 hitherto shown in English works on fishes. 

 Through the courtesy of Messrs. Macmillan we 

 are enabled to give examples which show the 

 modern character of the work. We cannot too 

 strongly recommend this excellent book to our 

 readers, who will find ample information and 

 satisfaction for the comparatively low price for so 

 handsome a volume. We also venture to con- 

 gratulate the executive of the Marine Biological 



Fig. 104. 



Fig loi. 



Fig. 103. 



Transformation of Flat-Fish. 



(From Ctmningham's "Marketable Marine Fishes.") 



Figs. 100-105. — The two sides of the head in three 

 different stages in a left-sided young flat-fish, in which 

 the right eye passes through the head region to reach 

 the left side (Rhomboidichthys). The two upper figures 

 show an eye on each side of the head, but the right eye 

 is higher in position. In the middle figures the right eye 

 is beginning to appear on the left side through a slit 

 above the left eye. In the third figures the passage of the 

 right eye is very nearly completed. (After Steenstrup.) 



Association for the initiative in issuing a work 

 which cannot fail to be of real value to the 

 community at large. 



The Flora 0/ the Alps. By Alfred W. Bennett, 

 M.A., B.Sc, F.L.S. 8vo. Vol. i, Part i. With 

 15 coloured plates. (London: John C. Nimmo, 

 1897.) Price 2S. 6d. net. 



This work will be most welcome and useful to 

 amateur botanists and others visiting the Alpine 

 regions of Central and Western Europe. It is to 

 be issued in eight monthly parts, and when com- 

 plete will make two handsome volumes, illustrated 

 by 120 coloured plates. 

 It is a guarantee that 

 the work will be trust- 

 worthy when we see Mr. 

 Bennett's name as re- 

 sponsible for the letter- 

 press. In dealing with 

 the species, the plan is 

 to notice, at least by 

 name, every flowering 

 plant occurring in the 

 Swiss, French, Italian 

 and Austrian Alps, also 

 in the Pyrenees. In 

 each case some descrip- 

 tion is given, and one 

 or more coloured plates 

 for the natural orders. 

 It has been arranged 

 that the last part shall 

 contain an index of 

 Latin and English 

 names, with a glossary 

 of unfamiliar terms, for 

 the general reader who 

 has not been especially 

 trained in botany. The 

 primary object of the 

 two volumes will be "to 

 provide the tourist with 

 a handbook by which 

 he can recognize the 

 plants which are likely 

 to attract his attention 

 in his Alpine wander- 

 ings." Now that it is 

 the custom for various 

 touring clubs, educa- 

 tional centres and excur- 

 sion agencies to send 

 over parties to Alpine 

 Europe every season, 

 such a book as this 

 cannot be too widely 

 known ; for every party 

 should carry at least 

 one copy. With the 

 aid of the coloured 

 plates there will not 

 be much difficulty in gaining considerable knowledge 

 of the flowers which in Alpine regions are so 

 abundant in summer time. The parts of this work 

 are not to be sold separately, but by subscription 

 for the whole book. 



Natural History in Shakespeare's Time. By H. M. 

 Seager, M.B., etc. 364 pp. large 8vo, illustrated. 

 (London : Elliot Stock, 1S96.) Price Ss. 6d. 



On looking over the pages of this admirable 

 compilation, one is struck by the immense differ- 

 ence between the knowledge of " natural history " 

 of our own times and those sources from which 

 Shakespeare could have drawn his information 



Fig. 105. 



