80 
POPULAE SCIENCE EEVIEW. 
ancient castle which lies upon the spot, or enters upon some general sketch 
of the botany of the neighbourhood. In this way he has provided a work 
which the most fastidious must like, for on not one of the subjects that we 
have mentioned is there supplied matter that is not of the highest interest, 
whether geological or antiquarian. Although the more important of the 
geological facts stated are to be found in most of our great geological 
essays, yet are there many points which, so far as we can see, possess the 
originality of the author, and are facts which only a careful observer who 
has had his eyes about him for many years could have discovered. But in 
the archeological especially, and also in the botanical portions, there are 
many passages which will convey new matter to most of our readers. The 
former is especially interesting and instructive, and will, no doubt, prove of 
help to render many a future geological journey more enticing and attractive. 
In many instances the author expresses his own opinion on geological 
points, after giving those of Lyell, Murchison, &c. And this we think of 
great advantage, for besides giving freshness to his reading, in many cases it 
will point out to future workers the paths in which just speculation may be 
indulged in. In no case is this more observable than in the chapter on the 
Devonian formation. For in this the author evidently disbelieves the idea 
that the upper Devonian of Ireland is the same as in England. In fact, the 
fossil deposits are so dilferent. In England, peculiar fish, generally salt- 
water fish, are to be found. In Ireland, ferns, stigmaria, and a species of 
Anodon. The one evidently a freshwater, the other as clearly, or nearly so, a 
marine deposit. Why then should they bear any relation to each other ? It 
is a pity that the author did not give a better sketch of the Sphenopteris 
Hihernica. That which he has given represents but one infinitesimal 
portion of a frond. We have seen some specimens which measure about 
five feet in height, and which represent what once was a most noble plant. 
All through, the author gives the opinions of the most celebrated 
geologists and palaeontologists ; in all cases giving their names to the 
reader. Eurthermore, his book is exquisitely illustrated: many of the 
sketches of the scenery by Sir W. Guise being admirably artistic pieces, and 
the sketches of fossils by Murchison and others, and some by the author 
himself, being most creditably drawn. 
ELEMENTS OF ZOOLOGY.* 
M any works as have been written upon Zoology, there are very few 
indeed that can be really called excellent. Of the few Greene's 
Manuals of ‘^Coelenterata” and “ Protozoa” are unquestionably the best, and 
if Professor Greene had continued his labours, and had'given us a similar series 
on the Mollusca, Annulosa, and Vertebrata, we should not want a book on 
zoology for some time. Still we must be grateful for’the food we do get, 
even if it is not from the first garner. The little book before us is, we suppose. 
* “ Elements of Zoology for the Use of Schools and Science Classes,’’ 
by Andrew Wilson, Lecturer on Zoology. Edinburgh, 1873. 
