218 NOTICES OF BOOKS. 
Cynomorium coccineum, hi . only ictal inthe Mediter re region 
and North Africa. This “ was abundant at one spot on the banks of 
the Arpalak river, fifteen miles above Sanja, where the Yarkand 
plains begin. At an altitude of about 9000 feet it was found under 
a dense thicket of Myricarva and Zamariz, on the roots of which it 
was probably parasitic.” 
It is impossible to commend too highly :the zeal of Dr. Hen- 
derson, who devoted himself throughout the expedition to collecting 
animals and plants, taking photographs (many of which are here re- 
produced by heliotype), and making meteorological observations : to 
his collection the acu Fee of the volume is due. 
We must, ho , take exception to the statement (p. 2) that 
“all [the] notes ae specimens [of Schlagintweit] were lost to science,” 
after his murder by Wali Khan. His Zabiate, Scrophulariacee, 
Report on the Caoutchoue of Eronaini 2 being Information on the 
Plants yielding it, their Geographic al Distribution, Climatic 
Conditions, and the ‘agen of their Cultivation and Acclima- 
tisation in India, By James — F.B.S. Edin. (With 
two eg four plates, and onli ts.) 
THe impor rtance to which India-rubber or Caoutchoue has 
attained as an article of commerce during the past few years, and the 
fact of its achaierriaty applications, ri consequent probable diminu- 
tion of the supplies, are sufficient reasons why the perpetuation of 
the plants yielding it should be carefully considered, and if possible 
their growth and extension encouraged in soils and. climates suited 
to th 
antes fia species; and in the report before us, whic 
n drawn up at the instigation of the Secretary of State for India, 
sash is likewise directed to the importance of a more carefu 
conservation of the Ficus elastica, the source of the bulk of our East 
he has succeeded in producing a very carefully prepared and elabo- 
rate report, the value of which is much increased by liberal quota- 
tions and references to the aks of Wallace, Bates, Spruce, an 
others, and by the advantages which the author has had 
of the opinions of the last-named ibe: er, and of the late 
Drs. Welwitsch and Seemann. few extracts from the book itself 
will give a better notion of the plan aut contents than any words © 
our own. After a slight sketch of the early history of Caoutchoue, 
and a description of the laticiferous tissue in which the milky gum 
is stored, a list showing the general geographical distribution of 
