Geology and Natural History. 487 
Stigmaria roots floating on the Sabon in matted masses, their 
stems rising like masts into the air. As the ocean grew salter 
this Carboniferous vegetation todk ‘ the strand; and then, o: 
subsequently, the vegetation of the world was in eril and verged 
to extinction, as may be seen from the fact that there were 2500 
species of coal pla nts, and only 150 in later periods. It would 
t 
‘eryptogamic vegetation to the land before the continents were 
prepared to receive it; but finally, when the atmosphere had 
acquired from the bicarbonated ocean snfficient carbonic acid and 
the rocks had worn down into soil, terrestrial vegetation was 
created nor imported from rids; but the primordial cells 
were forme by a kind of mechanical precipitation, in a way 
which Traube’s artificial cells explain. Life arose from certain 
catalytic processes in carbo-hydrates: only some one of these, 
with tannin or something of the sort which may precipitate it 
from a solution, nisi to be necessary to cell-formation and growth, 
and consequently for propagation by division. Sexua ar opaga- 
tion in the first instance was probably a morbid process, a sort of 
diseased action 0 or three primordial organic carbo- 
peeretss needful to life originated from certain wren earbo- 
brea of the earth, and these, from interplanetar 
unze is a botanical writer of no small pretension fs: Teacutag. 
and is fond of treating his topics speculatively. It may suffice 
to call attention to his volume, which is replete with suggestion. 
G. 
a 
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12. Catalogue of the Phanogamous etn Vascular Crypto, ga- 
mous Plants of Worcester Co., Massachusetis ; by Joseru Jacks 
on. Worcester. Published — by the Woke er Natural History 
raiser st pp. 48, 8vo. ee Worcester County extends across the 
Sta m North to South. On its southern or Rhode Island 
opal pg is allied by its Pet to Southern New Eng ads on its 
northern or New Hampshire margin it is allied to ep ew 
England. It lies at altitudes varying from 200 feet to 2,500 feet 
above the sea level. Only one point, Mount W achusett, sash 
the latter height. . It is athickly wooded region, with y 
kinds of valuable timber trees, such as the babies te pine, w white ash, 
white oak, hickory, chestnut, rock maple,” 
A faithful list’ of the plants of such a . ypical slice of New 
England, besides its local uses, is interestiug and instructive, as 
iving a fair idea of New England vegetation apart from the 
influence of the sea on the one hand and the alpine and subalpine 
