BALFOUR'S BOTANICAL WORKS. 



" Although the literature of PalcBontological Botany is very extensive, 

 it consists either of costly and voluminous works or papers scattered 

 widely through the Transactions of various Societies, none of which are 

 adapted to the use of those students who wish to extend their study of 

 general botany to this interesting but less known branch of the subject. 

 From every point of view the study of the fossU. flora of the globe 

 must be of great interest ; it widens the field of the modem botanist ; 

 it is absolutely essential to the geologist ; and to the general student it 

 gives much information regarding the former history of the globe and 

 the nature of its products. Take, for instance, Coal, and we find in 

 Professor Balfour's manual the following interesting information : — ■ 



" ' The Carboniferous period is one of the most important as regards 

 fossil plants. The vegetable forms are numerous, and have a great 

 similarity throughout the whole system, whether exhibited in the Old or 

 the New World. The important substance called coal owes its origin 

 to the plants of this epoch. It has been subjected to great pressure and 

 long-continued metamorphic action, and hence the appearance of the 

 plants has been much altered. It is difficult to give a definition of coal. 

 The varieties of it are numerous. There is a gradual transition from 

 anthracite to household and parrot coal ; and the limit between coal 

 and what is called bituminous shale is by no means distinct. Coal 

 may be said to be chemically-altered vegetable matter, interstratified 

 with the rocks, and capable of being used as fuel. On examining this 

 section of coal under the microscope, we can detect vegetable tissues, 

 both of a cellular and vascular nature. In Wigan cannel coal, vegetable 

 structure is seen through the whole mass. Such is likewise the case 

 vrith other cannel, pairot, and gas coals. In common household coal, 

 also, evident traces of organic tissue have been observed.' 



" Very much more equally important and clearly-expressed informal 

 tion is given upon this interesting subject, and the general style of 

 Professor Balfour's whole work, although upon a little known and 

 perhaps not popularly attractive subject, is such as will be sure to 

 awaken an interest in the real student. It is profusely illustrated 

 with most admirable woodcuts, and two plates from the pencil of 

 Mr. William Carruthers add greatly to the value of the book." — 

 Scotsman. 



" We can give Dr Balfour's book a cordial recommendation to 

 geological students, as it contains very much valuable matter, presented 

 in a succinct and tabulated form, and it will prove interesting to the 

 general reader both from the felicitous manner in which so difficult a 

 subject is treated, and from the numerous woodcuts and excellent 

 lithographs with which the work is embellished." — Chemist and 

 Druggist. 



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