March 1, 1865.] THE TECHNOLOGIST. 



BE VIEWS. 381 



of the most entertaining and seasonable presents that could be made. 

 Although, the book can scarcely add to the already world-wide fame and 

 European reputation of this well-known purveyor of sweet odours, it 

 will certainly largely extend his circle of admirers, and become familiar 

 as a household word wherever pleasant reading and useful information 

 is appreciated. Such a book as this will necessarily run through many 

 large editions, the more especially when its cheapness is borne in mind, 

 coupled with the fact that it contains more than 250 illustrations. 



Rust, Smut, Mildew, and Mould : An Introduction to the 

 Study of Microscopic Fungi. By M. C. Cooke. With nearly 

 300 figures by J. E. Sowerby. Robert Hardwicke. 



Mr. Cooke has established for himself a deservedly high reputation as a 

 close investigator of Nature and a careful describer of Fungi. The beau- 

 tiful little work before us opens a new field of research, not only for the 

 microscopists, but also for all interested (and who is not more or less so ?) 

 in those minute pests of the field and garden. 



In the twenty years since the fifth volume of the British Flora 

 appeared, the progress of Mycological science has been much extended. 



Corn rust, smut, and the mould, or parasitic fungi, are diseases well 

 known to the farmers ; but the true nature of these he has seldom 

 stopped to inquire into. The popular work now before us, with its 

 many beautiful coloured illustrations, will enlighten him on many 

 points, and may be studied with advantage by others besides the mere 

 microscopist seeking novelties for his object-glass. 



Mr. Cooke thus sums up his remarks : — 



" This fragment of a history of microscopic fungi goes forth to plead 

 for students and prepare the path for something more complete. Is it 

 not a shame that two thousand species of plants (never mind how 

 minute, how insignificant) should be known to exist, and constitute a 

 flora, in a nation amongst the foremost in civilization, and yet be without 

 a complete record ? It is, nevertheless, true that hundreds of minute 

 organisms, exquisite in form, marvellous in structure, mysterious in 

 development, injurious to some, linked with the existence of all, are 

 known to flourish in Britain without a history or description in the 

 language of, or produced in, the country they inhabit. It is also true 

 that the descriptions, by which they should be known, of hundreds of 

 the rest lie buried in a floating literature whence the youthful and 

 ardent student needs, not only youth and ardour, but leisure and per- 

 severance unlimited, to unearth them." 



We hail the appearance of all such works as this with satisfaction, 

 from being calculated to fill an existing void, and also likely to interest 

 the botanical student, the agriculturist, and the horticulturist. 



