372 The American Naturalist. [April, 
to the ‘* History of Vegetable Anatomy,” and the third to the ‘‘ His- 
tory of Vegetable Physiology.” In treating these topics, the author 
says in his preface to the English edition: ‘‘ I purposed to present to 
the reader a picture of the way in which the first beginnings of 
scientific study of the vegetable world in the sixteenth century made 
their appearance in alliance with the culture prevailing at the time, 
and how gradually, by the intellectual efforts of gifted men, who at 
first did not even bear the name o tanists, an ever-deepening in- 
sight was obtained into the relationship of all plants, one to another, 
into their outer form and inner organization, and into the vital phe- 
nomena or physiological processes dependent on these conditions.”’ 
In this preface several sentences attract the attention of the reader. 
For example: ‘‘ I would desire that whoever reads what I have written 
on Charles Darwin in the present work should consider that it contains 
a large infusion of youthful enthusiasm, still remaining from the year 
1859, when the ‘ Origin of Species’ delivered us from the unlucky 
dogma of constancy. Darwin’s later writings have not inspired me 
with like feeling. So has it been with regard to Nageli,’’—Cuar.es E. 
BESSEY 
Photographs of Dr. Parry.—I feel certain that I am obliging 
many botanists by stating that good photographs of the late Dr. C. C. 
Parry, the well-known botanist, may be obtained of Jarvis White & 
Co., of Davenport, Iowa, for twenty-five cents each. Wishing to 
place such a photograph in my gallery of botanists, I made inquiries, 
_ with the result given. — CHARLES E. BESSEY. 
ZOOLOGY. 
A New Actinian.—Dr. H. V. Wilson describes (Studies J. H. 
Univ., IV., No. 6) a new Actinian from the Bahamas, under the name 
Hoplophoria coralligens, It belongs in the family Antheade, and is 
noticeable from the fact that only six pairs of mesenteries reach the 
œsophagus, and in the position of four marginal sacs, which are highly 
developed stinging organs. In regard to Hertwig’s suggestion that 
possibly the Madreporarian corals are a heterogeneous assortment of 
hexactinian polyps, which have independently acquired a skeleton. 
Dr. Wilson drops the hint that the study of the mesenterial filaments 
affords a negative argument. ‘‘ Porous and aporo corals alike have 
simple filaments, but actinian have trifid filaments. 
