[February, 
96 Analysis of Books. 
balsam was a new invention. From these social gatherings the 
Microscopical Society of London originated ; a meeting was held 
on the 3rd of September, 1839, and the society formed. More 
than forty years have elapsed, and not one of the seventeen 
founders are now living. Prof. Owen was elecfted the first pre- 
sident in 1840, and has been followed by a succession of eminent 
microscopists down to the present time. The Monday evenings 
continued for some years longer, and served admirably for the 
purpose of recruiting the new society. They were only discon- 
tinued when their amiable founder ceased to reside in London. 
The work of the Microscopical Society of London was continued 
under that name until 1866, when a charter of incorporation was 
granted, and the society, receiving the patronage of His Royal 
Highness the Prince of Wales, became the “ The Royal Micro- 
scopical Society.” 
Former notices have frequently called attention to the unique 
character of the “Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society,” 
which, unlike most learned societies, does not confine itself to 
the publication of its own transactions, but gives a very complete 
abstract of all that is taking place in its own departments of 
science. It will suffice to say that the present volume is fully 
equal to any that have gone before it, and bears testimony to the 
activity of the society and the energy of the editor and his talented 
staff of assistants. The volume is well indexed, as is the case 
with the whole of the present series. 
Considering the great extent of the past publications of the 
society and the valuable matter contained in them, it is to be 
hoped that they may some day be rendered more easy of reference 
by the publication of a general index. 
Natural History Sketches among the Carnivora , Wild and Do- 
mesticated , with Observations on their Habits and Mental 
Faculties. By Arthur Nicols, F.G.S., F.R.G.S. London 
L. Upcott Gill. 
With this work we are not quite satisfied. Above two-thirds of 
the whole are devoted to dogs — a somewhat thread-bare subjeCt, 
— except from a psychological point of view. Twenty-eight 
more pages are bestowed upon the domestic cat, leaving only 
forty-three for all the wild carnivora, about which there is greater 
need for further accurate information. The author has evidently 
enjoyed very extensive opportunities for observation. He places 
on record too a goodly number of interesting faCts, though he 
seems to regard the animal world rather with the eye of the 
sportsman than of the true naturalist. 
