122 Scientific Intelligence. 



with a discussion of the metallurgical methods used in smelting 

 the various ore's. w. e. f. 



14. The Curious Lore of Precious Stones ; by George Fred- 

 erick Kunz. Pp. 406, with numerous plates and figures. Phila- 

 delphia, 1913 (J. P. Lippincott Company). — The scope of this book 

 is well expressed in the sub-title, which reads as follows : " being 

 a description of their sentiments and folk-lore, superstitions, sym- 

 bolism, mysticism, use in medicine, protection, prevention, religion, 

 and divination. Crystal gazing, birthstones, lucky stones and 

 talismans, astral, zodiacal and planetary." To any one interested 

 in gem stones this book will be a treasure house of curious infor- 

 mation. Precious stones have always been objects of admiration 

 and desire, and it was inevitable that a host of superstitious fan- 

 cies should gather about them. The history of the different stones 

 is told at length with many references to early writers, and is accom- 

 panied with a large number of interesting illustrations. While 

 giving all the details in a scientific manner, the subject-matter has 

 been so well arranged and presented as to be eminently readable. 

 It is doubtful if there is anyone else living so well fitted by expe- 

 rience and knowledge to write such a book as Dr. Kunz. 



AV. E. F. 



15. Botanical Features of the Algerian Sahara; by William 

 Austin' Cannon. Publication No. 178 of the Carnegie Institu- 

 tion of Washington. Pp. vi, 81 ; 36 plates ; 1913. — In this inter- 

 esting work Dr. Cannon gives the results of field studies carried 

 on during the years 1910 and 1911. The deserts of Algeria are 

 first discussed with respect to their geographical and climatic 

 characteristics. The vegetation from various parts of the area 

 studied is then described in detail, the most abundant and con- 

 spicuous species being listed. In the closing chapter the vegeta- 

 tion is treated from a more general standpoint and compared with 

 the vegetation of southern Arizona. The plates, reproduced 

 from photographs, are unusually clear ; they show not only the 

 general aspects of the vegetation but also the habits of certain 

 individual species. a. w. e. 



1 6. Wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse der Deutschen Zentral-Afrika- 

 Mep edit ion 1907-1908, unter Fuhrung Adolf Friedrichs, Herzogs 

 zu Mecklenburg. Band II, Botanik, edited by Dr. J. Mildbraed, 

 Berlin. Lieferung 6, pp. 509-601, pi. 68-78. Leipzig, 1913 

 (Klinkhardt & Biermann). — The first five parts of this volume 

 have already been noted in this Journal (vol. xxxv, p. 335, 1913). 

 The present part includes the second instalment of the Dicotyle- 

 doneae-Sympetalae and the third of the Dicotyledonese-Choripetalae. 

 Various botanists, mostly from Berlin, have taken part in its 

 preparation. A. w. e. 



1 7. Laboratory Manual and Notebook in Botany ; by Willard 

 1ST. Clute ; pp. viii, 70. Boston (Ginn & Company). — This little 

 work gives directions for carrying on the laboratory exercises in 

 a half year's course in elementary botany. It consists almost 

 entirely of questions which the student is supposed to answer 

 from material supplied by the teacher. a. w. e. 



