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list, and Mr. Simmonds gives some valuable hints respecting new sub- 
stances which might be used. We must refer our readers to this chapter 
for much varied information, and after reading it, one is inclined to ask 
what vegetable fibre has not been employed in the manufacture of paper. 
Mr. Simmonds mentions that, as early as 1857, a patent was taken out for 
obtaining paper pulp from wrack-grass, Zostera marina, lately introduced 
as a substitute for cotton. 
With reference to suggestions, we would specially refer to the economic 
application of sea-weeds, for purposes of manure, manufacture of iodine, 
acetic acid, muriate of potash, sugar, as food, stiffening for fabrics, &c.? 
Our space will not allow us to do more that allude to the chapter on the 
uses of Peat, and also to the article on the Utilization of the Waste of the 
Fisheries for Manure ; but we would particularly draw attention to this 
chapter. 
The whole work, although full of the most practical business informa- 
tion, is written in a pleasing style, and the circumstances relating to the 
transformations of refuse often read like a romance, rather than a dry 
detail of the uses of “ waste and undeveloped substances.” 
A Plain and Easy Account of British Fungi. By M. C. Cooke, Author 
of “A Manual of Structural Botany,” “A Manual of Botanic Terms,” 
&c. Twenty-four coloured Plates. London : Robert Hardwicke. 
HE author of this volume js already favourably known as having- 
written a “ A Manual of Structural Botany.” It is introductory to 
the more elaborate works of Schleiden, Henfrey, Balfour, Lindley, Hooker, 
&e. ; and we have no hesitation in saying that it is the very best and 
cheapest manual which can be placed in the hands of a beginner. 
Mr. Cooke writes for those whose education and means are limited, 
and with pre-eminent success. It is really a pleasure to read the manuals 
which he has published, for they are up to the mark, and so complete 
as to leave hardly anything to be desired. 
This new work on the Fungi appears to be equally valuable with 
those which he has already printed. It contains descriptions of the escu- 
lent fungi, the manner in which they are prepared for the table, how 
to discriminate the nutritious from the poisonous species, details of the 
principles of their scientific classification, and a tabular arrangement of 
orders and genera. 
It is very creditable to Mr. Cooke that the drawings in his book are 
all sketches from nature, made by his own pencil. This shows work, 
and is more respectable than the too common practice of copying engrav- 
ings from the authorities in the particular branch of science. 
This little book is valuable because, in some respects, it is certainly 
a good guide-book to a number of edible fungi unknown to the public. 
Unfortunately, our author has not given us the time of the year 
when they may be gathered, but has left this to conjecture. If found 
at all seasons, he ought to have said so ; if peculiar to the autumnal 
