REVIEWS. 
63 
the Pacific Ocean from Peru northwards, and which is shown to he due to 
an upheaval of the ocean bed. Then we have our old friends the kraken 
and sea-serpent : followed by some “ marvels in telegraphy,” and the phono- 
graph. The gorilla, food, ozone, dew; the levelling power of rain, and 
ancient Babylonian astronomy, complete the list. 
The book is essentially light and readable, suited to the u many who wish 
to learn about scientific discoveries without special labour, for which some 
have perhaps little taste, and many scant leisure.” 
Works of this kind are especially valuable for filling the smaller gaps in 
busy men’s time to some profit, and without strong mental effort. , A de- 
tached essay can be read, when a treatise would be neglected. Mr. Proctor’s 
lucid style of writing materially aids in the mental assimilation of his topics. 
No doubt small inaccuracies may be found here and there ; but the book hardly 
deserves the fastidious and somewhat pettish tone of general condemnation 
with which, under well-known initials, it has elsewhere been received. 
W. H. Stone. 
THE EUCALYPTUS.* 
A LIKE the scientific and unscientific reader may profit by a perusal of 
this excellent manual of eucalyptus-planting. Its author, from his 
position as Agricultural Inspector to the Government of Algeria, writes with 
authority, and adds to his own valuable experience a large number of facts 
bearing upon this most important and interesting question. The Euca- 
lyptus globulus (or Australian blue gum tree) is not only a fast-growing and 
ornamental garden tree ; it is not only possessed of anti-febrile qualities to a 
remarkable degree ; but it is moreover very productive from an economic and 
commercial point of view, affording a great variety of chemical and medicinal 
products, besides timber of excellent quality and astonishingly rapid growth. 
The plan of M. Certeux’s little work is judiciously adapted to the wants of 
his readers. There is a general catalogue of Eucalypti to begin with ; and 
following this is a classification of those species with which growers are most 
familiar, each being considered from various points of view. Thus we have 
only to turn to the index to find out which especial tree thrives in plains, 
marshlands, or sandy soil; which is richest in essential oils and tannin; 
which is the most effective in sanifying unwholesome districts ; and which 
most speedily yields grateful shadow. We have also abundant information 
upon the various methods of planting and cultivating the tree, and the cost, 
as illustrated by the largest and most important experiments that have yet 
been tried, namely, those in Algeria. Lastly, we have a list of the multifari- 
ous, economic, pharmaceutical, and artistic preparations from Eucalypti , with 
many other details that the least scientific reader must find both interesting 
and instructive. 
When we consider that M. Certeux’s classified catalogue embraces 216 
species or varieties, we shall see the difficulty of the task he has performed 
* “ Guide du Planteur d’Eucalyptus.” Par A. Certeux. Paris : Challamel 
ain6. 
