442 REVIEWS PRIZE ESSAY. 



A distinctive name being given to this portion of the Azoic rocks, 

 renders it necessary to apply one to the remaining portion. The only 

 local one that would be appropriate in Canada is that derived from the 

 Laurentide range of mountains, which are composed of it, from Lake 

 Huron to Labrador. We have therefore designated it as the Lauren- 

 tian series. 



These local names are, of course, only provisional, devised for the 

 purpose of avoiding periphrastic or descriptive titles, the use of which 

 had been found inconvenient, and they can be changed when more im- 

 portant developments, proved to be the equivalents of the series, are 

 met with elsewhere. 



REVIEWS. 

 Essay on the Insects and Diseases injurious to the Wheat Crops. 

 By H. Y. Hind, Esq., M.A., Professor of Chemistry at Trinity 

 College, Toronto ; to which was awarded by the Bureau of Agricul- 

 ture and Statistics, the first prize. Toronto : Printed by John 

 Lovell, 1857. 



This essay, — the product of a competition for prizes recently offered 

 by the Canadian Minister of Agriculture, — is quite as good as could have 

 been expected, considering the circumstances under which it was pro- 

 duced. It is a compilation, and it could not well have been anything else ; 

 but it shows knowledge of the subject, industry, and judgment. If 

 our farmers and country gentlemen take the trouble to examine it, they 

 will doubtless derive much benefit from it. Some of them may, per- 

 haps, say that it is too scientific for them and may fancy it better suited 

 to the incipient entomologist than to the practical man ; but the truth 

 is, if any better means than we possess (which are but very imperfect) 

 for controlling the ravages of insect pests are to be discovered, it must 

 be through a knowledge of their nature and mode of life. Practical men 

 have need of a certain amount of scientific knowledge, and Professor 

 Hind gives the assistance many of them require in a clear, simple, 

 intelligible style, without much superfluous matter. The practical 

 suggestions are generally sound and useful, and as the reasons for 

 them are explained, every one is enabled to form his own judgment. 



The essay is not of mere temporary interest ; it is a useful digest 

 on a highly important subject, of what is to be found in various vol- 

 umes, and in detached essays and observations scattered through 

 periodicals ; such as Harris' Insects injurious to vegetation, Fitch's 



