750 
[December, 
Analyses of Books . 
The Museum at the University is reported as being in an ex- 
cellent condition ; specimens mounted more than twenty years 
ago still appear quite fresh, owing to the purity of the air. 
Among the memoirs inserted in the “ Transactions ” we notice 
one, by Mr. James Stirling, on the “ Phanerogamous Plants of 
the Mitta Mitta Source Basin, and their Habitats.” The author 
considers meteorological conditions as exercising a more domi- 
nating influence over the growth of plants and in the evolution 
of varieties than has hitherto been recognised. Whether the 
chemical variation of soils tends to evolve species is, he thinks, 
doubtful. On the effects of inseCt cross-fertilisation he cannot 
venture an opinion, but suggests that entomological agencies 
must be subordinated to climatic influences. 
Mr. W. Mitten contributes a “ Catalogue of Australian Mosses,” 
very valuable for reference. 
Dr. Jameson discusses the “ Influence of Light on the Deve- 
lopment of BaCferia,” and concludes that it has little direCt 
influence either in promoting or preventing the growth and mul- 
tiplication of microbia. 
Mr. P. H. MacGillivray contributes a “ Description of New 
or Little-known Polyzoa,” which is divided into three portions. 
The Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, F.L.S., gives a very interesting 
physical description of the Island of Tasmania. 
The Science Monthly. Vol. I., November, 1883. London : D. 
Bogue and E. W. Allen. 
If the number of scientific periodicals may be taken as an indi- 
cation the public interest in Science, or at least in scientific 
reading, must be on the increase. Compared with existing 
journals the “ Science Monthly ” makes the nearest approach to 
“ Knowledge,” both in the subjects embraced and in the general 
style of treatment. 
The principal articles in the present issue are — “ The Novem- 
ber Star-Shower ” ; a notice of “ Historical Floods,” in which a 
paradoxical attempt is made to show that our climate has im- 
proved ; “ How the Teeth are set on Edge,” a study of a 
common and unpleasant phenomenon not as yet thoroughly un- 
derstood ; “ InseCt Depredators,” a resume of the observations 
of Miss E. A. Ormerod and others. “ Forestry at Home and 
Abroad ” is a brief exposition of the mischief resulting from 
reckless denudation and of the present modes of forest manage- 
ment. “ Weather Lore ” is a notice of modern meteorologica 1 
forecasts, in which some degree of justice is done to those popu- 
lar empirical rules which we, in these instrument-loving days, 
