MISCELLANY. 
442 
made sad havock among evergreens. The greater portion are quite killed. None 
have suffered so much as the Laurestine ( Viburnum tinus). I believe scarcely 
a plant has escaped in this neighbourhood. Most of the Laurels have suffered 
dreadfully, and even the Holly has felt the effects of the frost. Many of our fine 
plants are almost denuded of their leaves. The Common Furze in exposed 
situations is yet quite black, with scarcely a flower or a bud to be seen, whilst its 
more humble companion, Ulex nanus , has not suffered in the least, and has 
already put forth its beautiful blossoms, the two species exhibiting a great con¬ 
trast.—J. D. Salmon, Godaiming , Surrey , April 16, 1838.—[[In many instances 
where irreparable injury is supposed to have been inflicted on plants by frost, we 
take the effect to be temporary rather than permanent. This, e.g., is the case 
with the Common Furze ( Ulex Europceus ), mentioned by Mr. Salmon. In this 
neighbourhood these plants are even now (June 13), mostly bare of leaves and 
flowers; but they everywhere display indisputable testimony of returning vitality. 
We would recommend caution in casting away shrubs apparently killed by the 
frost. It is always as well to wait till May or June before they are rejected. 
—Ed.] 
Effect of Carbonic Acid on Vegetation. —At p. 330 of this Journal, “it is 
stated by M. Traviranus that vegetation is not so active near springs where 
carbonic acid is disengaged.” In inserting this extract from The Athenceum. , we had 
then no space for commenting on the above assertion. But surely the learned 
author of Phgsiologie Vegetale cannot be unacquainted with the fact, admitted by 
all the best vegetable physiologists, that plants not only flourish in soil containing 
carbonic acid, but cannot become vigorous without it, and that they are healthy 
in direct proportion to the abundance of carbonic acid existing in the growing 
medium. In fact it is clearly demonstrable that the most valuable manures are 
those which yield carbonic acid most steadily and abundantly. —Ed. 
REVIEWS OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 
The Wonders of Geology ; or, a familiar Exposition of Geological Phenomena; 
being the Substance of a Course of Lectures delivered at Brighton. By Gideon 
Mantell, LL.D., F.R.S., &c. &c. &c. From Notes taken by G. F. Richardson, 
Curator of the Mantellian Museum, &c. London : Relfe and Fletcher , Cornhill, 
1838. Two Vols., post 8vo. 
The name of Dr. Mantell is not new to our readers. On the contrary, he 
has long been familiar to the scientific world for his geological discoveries, his 
works, and his extensive collection, generally known as the Mantellian Museum. 
