1876.] 
Notices of Books . 
539 
banishing, noxious inseCts, under the name of “ Persian powder.” 
The P. drier ariafolium, a Dalmatian species, is now found to be 
more aCtive, and is coming into extensive use. We have been 
informed, however, that — as far at least as gnats and mosquitoes 
are concerned — the marsh rosemary ( Ledum palnstre) is more 
effectual than any species of Py rethrum. As the Ledum flourishes 
in all boggy parts of Central and Northern Europe, and, if we 
are not mistaken, of Labrador, Canada, and the Hudson’s Bay 
countries, the supply may be considered unlimited. It has been 
also alleged that the common brake fern ( Pteris aquilina ) is a 
nuisance to all inserts. This we cannot admit, at least when 
the plant is in its recent state. We see butterflies and moths 
resting upon it ; we have found its leaves eaten by caterpillars, 
and we never observe that those parts of woods where it is most 
luxuriant are less infested with flies than localities where it is 
absent. 
An interesting observation, made by Professors Lartet, Gervais, 
Cope, and Marsh, is that the brains of extinCt Mammalia have 
evidently been much smaller than are those of the most closely 
analogous species at the present day. “ In the lines of the 
rhinoceros, tapir, and horse, a regular increase in size from such 
beginnings can be traced.” 
It would be alike impracticable and unfair were we to extend 
further our quotations, but we think the few specimens we have 
given will be amply sufficient to show the interesting character 
of the work. 
Science Papers , chiefly Pharmacological and Botanical. By 
Daniel Hanbury, F.R.S. Edited, with Memoir, by Joseph 
Ince, F.L.S., F.C.S., &c. London: Macmillan and Co. 
Pharmacy, high as its claims may fairly be pronounced, is by no 
means popular. It can point to none of those triumphs which 
so forcibly appeal to the public imagination, such as the solution 
of phosphates, the discovery of the coal-tar colours, or the in- 
vention of malleable glass ; nor is it connected with any of 
those dazzling speculations which are so enthusiastically wel- 
comed by the young, however their foundations may fail to 
satisfy the old. It has to rely for appreciation upon sound, con- 
scientious, valuable work, which attracts little notice from those 
whom it benefits. We need not wonder, therefore, that the 
author of these papers and the subjeCt of this memoir is little 
known to the British public. Daniel Hanbury was not one of 
the class— unhappily now so common, and, more unhappily still, 
so mu'ch fostered by our institutions — who will, at a few days’ 
notice, “ get up ” any subjeCt, and write about it a showy super- 
ficial dissertation. He was no writer of “ Manuals,” repeating 
