358 Recent Literature, [April 
terial wanted” placed at the head of each chapter. In the ap- 
pendix are to be found a list of plants and parts of plants used 
for study and a list of the reagents necessary, with directions for 
their preparation and use. 
We cannot refrain from quoting a few sentences here and 
there from the book. In speaking of microscopes, the peasan 
remarks, “ As the English student will probably purchase a m 
croscope of home manufacture, it is desirable to state here that 
the larger and typically English stands are not to be recom- 
mended for student use. Their length of body makes it exceed- 
‘ingly difficult to use them upright without a special table; and 
the upright position is, all round, the more convenient for student 
work. or are mechanical appliances for moving the object- 
slide about on the stage of utility commensurate with their cost 
and the want of independence which they induce. Most of the 
English makers manufacture microscopes with tubes of about 
the ‘Continental’ length, but of better workmanship than the 
ordinary ‘ student’ stands, and suited for the addition of accessory 
illuminating and other appliances.” In another place, when 
inch. Razors, forceps, dissecting scissors (“for which fine em- 
broidery scissors will serve”), needle-holders and needles, scal- 
pels, small brushes, “a small vise, sath as used by watchmakers,” 
pipettes, glass tubes and rods, watch-glasses and glass disks for 
covering them, bell-jars and zinc frames for moist chambers, bell- 
jars for the microscopes, elder pith, “a tumbler of clean spring 
water,” and a saucer for dirty slides, are enumerated as the neces- 
Sary apparatus upon the table. 
It remains to be said that the English publishers have done 
their work well; the print, paper, and binding are ed what they 
should be for a laboratory manual.—Charles E. Besse 
RECENT BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS. 
Gage, S. H.—Notes on Microscopical Methods. Ithaca, 1887. From the author. 
Mineral Resources of the ones States for the Year 1885. Washington, 1886. 
From the U. S. Geological Surv 
Stowell, T. B.—The o Meve of thé Domestic Cat. Ext. Amer. Philos. Soc., 
Nov. 5, 1886. From the author 
Taylor, H. C., Horsford, E Pa et ‘al-—Bulletin of the Amer. Geog. Soc., 1885, 
» Hennessy, H—On the Physical Structure of the Earth. Ext. Philos. Mag., Sept. 
1886. From the author. 
Lydekker, R. oe se the Fossil Mammalia in the British Museum. Part IV., 
1886, Ungulata, suborder Proboscidia, F author, 
Errara, L.—Une expérience sur l'ascension de la séve chez les plantes, 1886. 
From the author. 
Bugs ek A.—Ueber d ie Nahrung unserer Robben-Arten. Ext. Deutsche - 
Zeitung, July, 1886. From the author. Par 
