266 Scientific Intelligence. 



pounds, as well as the allied artificial salts. The descriptions are 

 liberally illustrated, and the statement of the crystallographic 

 data leaves nothing to be desired. The work, however, is much 

 more than a compilation of the crystallographic and optical prop- 

 erties of chemical compounds, for the author's breadth of view 

 and philosophical insight into the relations of these compounds 

 give great value to the introductory remarks w T ith which each 

 division is introduced. The friends of the author will wonder 

 once more that he is able, in connection with so many, other 

 works of importance, to carry through so stupendous a labor as is 

 here represented. Two more parts are in preparation, which will 

 embrace the organic compounds. 



8. Notes of a Botanist on the Amazon and Andes, being 

 records of travel on the Amazon and its tributaries; as also to 

 the cataracts of the Orinoco, along the eastern side of the Andes 

 of Peru and Ecuador, and the shores of the Pacific, during the 

 years 18^9-186^ ; by Richard Spruce, Ph.D. Edited and 

 condensed by Alfred Russel Wallace, O.M., F.R.S., with a 

 biographical introduction, portrait, seventy-one illustrations, and 

 seven maps. In two volumes. London, 1908 (Macinillan & Co).— 

 This treatise is exceptional in many respects. It is the record of 

 botanical exploration about half a century ago, which is almost 

 as fresh and important as if it was made during the last year. 

 Furthermore, it is full of physio^raphical and ethnological 

 memoranda of extraordinary interest, edited by a thoroughly 

 sympathetic friend and fellow-naturalist. Everybody knows the 

 range of the journeys made by Wallace in South America, and is 

 familiar with the hardships attending them. Spruce not only 

 passed over a great deal of territory which was practically like 

 that investigated by Wallace, but he was in the equatorial belt 

 at the very time when Wallace was there and knew of his serious 

 illness. 



Spruce is best known for his copious contributions to our 

 knowledge of the Bryophytes. Beginning their study during his 

 life in Yorkshire, he carried on explorations in the Pyrenees, 

 where he discovered mosses and liverworts in places which had 

 been thought to contain none, and afterwards he collected exten- 

 sively in South America. With scarcely any means, and with 

 only enfeebled health, he managed, by dint of an iron will, to 

 carry his work on in a manner which has -always commanded 

 respect. 



He has been most fortunate in his editor. No onejcould have 

 condensed the voluminous notes more skillfully, or connected 

 them with more instructive remarks than Mr. Wallace. 



Our readers will enjoy in the perusal of this absorbingly inter- 

 esting volume the proofs of Spruce's sagacity which led him to 

 interpret many structural features in the Tropics as indicative of 

 a certain drifting of specific characters, vaguely pointing towards 

 descent through variation. After Spruce's return to England, he 

 became an ardent Darwinian, going so far as to state unequivo- 



