REVIEWS. 
89 
SCIENCE-GOSSIP* 
UST twelve months ago, a little, unpretending monthly journal stole 
quietly out from the printing-press. It bore no editorial name, did not 
thrust itself boldly before the public, and addressed itself simply to those 
amateur lovers of Nature’s works who did not deem themselves worthy to be 
ranked among the savants. It was well conducted, abundantly illustrated, 
and full of accurate and interesting information, and need not have been 
bashful in asserting its worth. However, its modesty has been well rewarded ; 
it has been favourably regarded by the working naturalists, and has become 
tbe recognised organ of the amateurs. The volume for the year is now 
completed, and bears upon its title-page the name of the man to whom it 
owes its development. Mr. Cooke has discharged his duties ably and dis- 
criminately ; himself a professional botanist of great repute, he has not crushed 
his periodical by obtruding his own subject of pursuit, but has carefully 
studied the requirements of his readers, and has produced — and we say it 
conscientiously — the best popular natural history journal which has yet been 
published. The volume before us is a veritable storehouse of the records of 
natural phenomena. To give an account of its contents would be absolutely 
impossible in the space at our disposal, but we may safely aver, that it con- 
tains over a thousand articles, notes, and memoranda, relating to birds, 
mammals, fishes, reptiles, mollusks, insects, etc. Ample information will 
also be found in it upon the subjects of aquaria, herbaria,, microscopes, and 
all the various apparatus with which the naturalist, properly so called, should 
be familiar. Each number of Science-Gossip consists of short articles, and 
notes and queries, and it thus fully carries out its promise of being a “ me- 
dium of interchange of opinions for students and lovers of nature.” 
We recognise in this new journal a worthy contemporary, and we wish it all 
the success it so eminently deserves. 
Australia for the Consumptive Invalid. By I. Baker Brown, Jun. 
(London : Hardwicke, 1865). This is a cleverly- written little volume from 
the pen of one who speaks from practical experience of the country whose 
climate he treats of. It contains some very important hints in relation to 
the voyage out to, and life in, Australia. The various types of phthisis are 
considered in relation to the alteration of their symptoms by change of air. 
We do not agree with the author in thinking that no treatise setting forth 
impartially the advantages of the Australian climate has been published, but 
as his book is especially addressed to the general public, it holds a place in 
* “Hardwicke’s Science-Gossip for 1865.” Edited by M. C. Cooke. 
London : Hardwicke. 1866. 
