378 Literary Notices. 



sical entities like "vital force," for more scientific methods of ex- 

 plaining what he sees, or for what is often required, a simple con- 

 fession that the explanation is unknown. 



Lessons ox Elementary Botany. By Daniel Oliver, F.R.S., 

 F.L.S., Keeper of the Herbarium of the Royal Gardens, Kew, and 

 Professor of Botany in University College, London (Macmillan and 

 Co.). — In noticing the Memoirs of Professor Henslow in a former 

 number, we adverted to his success as a botanical teacher of village 

 children as well as of bis Cambridge class. The present work is 

 partly original, and partly founded upon the papers left by Professor 

 Henslow, and it appears to us an invaluable introduction to the 

 study of botanical science. It is very clearly written, and amply 

 illustrated, leading the student on by an admirable method. As 

 the object is to teach botany as a science, and not as a mere art of 

 giving nicknames to vegetables, it will be highly appreciated by the 

 possessors of microscopes, who will learn from it what they are to 

 look for in accessible plants. It cannot be too strongly recom- 

 mended to students and intelligent families. 



A Series of Seven Essays on Universal Science. By Thomas 

 Clark Westfield, F.S.A. (Hardwicke.) — The publication of this 

 book is a mistake. The author should not have attempted a subject 

 so far beyond his powers. 



Saxby's Weather System, or Lunar Influence on the Wea- 

 ther. By J. M. Saxby, Esq., R.N. Second Edition (Longmans). 

 — Captain Saxby's main dictum is, " That the moon never seems to 

 cross the earth's equator without there occurring at the same time 

 a palpable and unmistakeable change in the weather. Such changes 

 most commonly are accompanied either by strong winds, gales, 

 sudden frost, sudden thaw, sudden calms, or other certain inter- 

 ruptions of the weather, according to the season." The present 

 volume contains many illustrations which the author considers to 

 prove the truth of this principle, and concludes with numerous 

 predictions for 1864 and 18C5. 



Homes without Hands. By the Rev. J. G. Wood, M.A., F.L.S. 

 (Longmans). — An interesting family work, published in monthly 

 parts, with numerous and excellent illustrations. It is a good idea 

 to give a popular and entertaining account of the various members 

 of the animal kingdom remarkable for constructing " Homes without 

 Hands," and Mr. Wood's pleasant labours aro sure to be welcome in 

 thousands of homes constructed with hands. 



Lecture on the Sources of the Nile. By Charles T. Beke, 

 Esq., Phil. D., F.S.A., Manager of London Institution. — This lecture 

 was first delivered at the London Institution on the 20th January, 

 L864, and has since been repeated elsewhere, but not formally pub- 

 lished, though printed by the London Institution Board of Manage- 

 ment. Dr. Beke affirms that " Captains Speke and Grant have 

 returned from visiting three sides of Lako Nyanza, leaving wholly 

 unexplored a blank space of 50,000 geographical square miles 

 (larger in extent than the whole of England and Wales) on the 



