68 



SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



Handbook of British Hepatica, containing descrip- 

 tions and figures of Indigenous Species of 

 Marchantia, Jungermannia, Riccia and Anthoceros. 

 By M. C. Cooke, M.A., LL.D., A.L.S. 310 pp. 

 8vo., with 7 plates and 200 wood-cuts. Price 6s. 

 (London : W. H. Allen and Co., Limited, 1894.) 



It is surprising that a small and compact group 

 of interesting plants like the liverworts, which may 

 be found during every season of the year, have not 

 possessed more votaries in this country. One 

 reason has doubtless been on account of the sparse 

 literature on the subject. The only handy work 

 for reference on the hepaticas available, was 

 Dr. M. C. Cooke's, which appeared in 1865, as 

 an "extra," or supplement, of Science-Gossip. 

 True, there was later issued a fragment of what 

 bid fair to be an important work on these 

 plants, by the late Dr. Carrington, which was 

 unfortunately cut short by his affliction and 

 subsequent death. It has therefore been most 

 praiseworthy on the part of Dr. Cooke, to elaborate 

 what he modestly called a mere " illustrated 

 catalogue," into a most useful illustrated mono- 

 graph of the British Hepaticas. 



There are only about two hundred kinds of liver- 

 worts in Britain, so that many who hardly care to 

 attack our whole list of plants, could easily work 

 up this group with credit to themselves and an 

 enlargement of the general knowledge of the liver- 

 worts. There need now be no serious difficulties 

 to encounter, for the excellent figures in this hand- 

 book make identification easy. We reproduce two 

 of them as examples of simplicity in drawing and 

 effectiveness for identification. 



In this handbook every known species is fully 

 described as well as figured, and the present know- 

 ledge of these plants is brought up to date, while 

 the introduction will be of the greatest aid to 

 students in their early days. 



Lejeunia calyptrifolia. 



We are not aware that at any time has the 

 cultivation of the Hepaticas been popular, but it 

 would seem as though a collection of growing 

 plants, each species under a separate glass, would 

 make material for much intelligent investigation. 

 This would form an excellent home study for those 



who have little opportunity for getting into the 

 open country for field work. We have little doubt 

 that this new manual of the British liverworts, by 

 so eminent an authority as Dr. Cooke, will cause 

 many to direct their attention to these remarkable 

 foot-prints of nature ; for it readily opens up a new 

 and increasing interest in life. As Science- 



JUNGERMANNIA ENDIVI^EFOLIA. 



Gossip naturally looks upon itself as having a 

 paternal relationship with this newly issued hand- 

 book, we trust that early evidence of consequent 

 activity will be forthcoming through records and 

 notes on the group for our pages. Then it will 

 consider its child has awakened many who would 

 have been still sleeping with regard to this study, 

 had it not developed into this pleasant maturity. 



J. T. C. 



An Introduction to Structural Botany (Flowering 

 Plants), by Duckinfield Henry Scott, M.A., Ph.D., 

 F.L.S., F.G.S. With 113 figures and 288 pp. 8vo. 

 (London, Adam and Charles Black, 1894.) 

 Price 3s. 6d. 



We learn also from the title-page that the author 

 of this nicely produced text-book is the Honorary 

 Keeper of the Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Gardens, 

 Kew, also that he has held an assistant professor- 

 ship in biology (botany). Mr. Scott has wisely 

 chosen only common plants for his demonstrations 

 in vegetable structure. The wallflower occupies 

 a large portion of the work, and is thoroughly 

 explained as an example of the formation of 

 flowering plants. Lilium candidum, the common 

 white lily of our gardens, is the second type, the 

 third being the spruce fir. With this small book 

 in hand, anyone may readily learn about the 

 structure of flowering plants and trees. 



The Country Month by Month, by J. A. Owen and 

 Professor G. S. Boulger, F.L.S., F.G.S. April— 

 64 pp. 8vo. (London, Bliss, Sands, and Foster, 

 1894.) Price is., and 2s. in cloth. 



As stated in a former notice of this series of 

 pocket-books for the country, they are intended for 

 chatty companions, rather literary than scientific, 

 on our rural walks. The chief contents of this 

 instalment treats of " The Plant World in April," 

 "With a Butterfly-net," and "Among Birds." 

 These monthly instalments are pleasant reading 

 for young folk, and for old folk also who can still 

 feel young. 



We have received a useful catalogue of works on 

 Natural History from Mr. J. H. Knowles, 15, Rush 

 Hill Road, London, S.W. 



