96 



The Irish Naturalist, 



May, 19 1 5 



which these simple and modest -looking violet leaves are charged. Through 

 them the mandate must go — with the creative sap they supply — ^to order 

 the long foot-stalk of the blossom, the curving of its apex, the modest 

 droop of the flower, the fascination of its scent ; and in its companions 

 and relatives, the pansy or heartsease, in the same way through the leaves 

 of these must go the rich material, that with the aid of the great orb of 

 day, fashions the gorgeous colours which appeal with overwhelming force 

 to our eyes," 



To the more or less sentimental nature -lover the book will certainly 

 appeal, but to a present-day botanist it will undoubtedly appear some- 

 what old-fashioned and, in parts, even unsound, as for example when, 

 bv somewhat doubtful reasoning, the author convinces himself at least 

 that the cladodes (or modified branches) of the Butcher's Broom are leaves. 

 Nor, is it to be feared, is the perusal of the book calculated to stimulate 

 an attitude of enquiry in the mind of the reader, for the author is too 

 apt to be " standing on the brink of an apparently unfathomable abyss 

 gazing out into what is nearly opaque darkness ! " and, naturally, reluc- 

 tant to proceed further. 



The book is illustrated with eighty photographs from nature in addition 

 to four coloured plates from drawings made by Aliss Schroedber, and 

 manv of these are excellent reproductions. 



G. H. P. 



NEWS GLEANINGS, 



The Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society's 

 Prize and Research Fund. 



This Society offers a prize of £50 for an original monograph on any 

 botanical, zoological or palaeontological subject, to be competed for by 

 non -professional workers in Ulster. ]Monographs, \\hich must be sent 

 to the Secretary by ist November, will become the Society's property. 

 A fund of /50 also is at the disposal of the Society for making grants in 

 aid of scientific research by Ulster residents. J. M. Finnegan, the Society's 

 Secretary, of Kelvin House, Adelaide Park, Belfast, will afford further 

 information with regard to these important announcements. 



Irish Naturalists in the Army. 



Among those who have been given commissions in connection with 

 the present call to national service are Prof. Gregg Wilson and ])r. A. 

 Dwerryhouse of Queen's University, Belfast ; Prof. H. A. Cummins of 

 University College, Cork ; C. M. Selbie of the National Museum, Dul)lin ; 

 G. P. Farran and A. B. Hillas of the Fisheries Office ; H. T. Kennedy 

 an I R. Valentine of the Geological Survey. 



