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REVIEWS OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 
a 
electrical needles of MM. Becquerel and Breschet. On the 5th of September, 
1838, the spadix had acquired the enormous temperature of 43 degrees (centig.), 
the air being 21 degrees, making a difference of 22 degrees. The disengagement 
of that heat took place on all the visible surface of the spadix, although differing 
in intensity in different parts. After the unfolding of the spathe, there was a 
considerable disengagement of heat in the male flowers, which acquired a very 
high temperature, much greater than what appeared at the same time in the 
other superior parts of the spadix. Towards the period of the emission of the 
pollen, a considerable augmentation of heat was manifest in the male abortive 
flowers which form the fleshy or glandular cone of the spadix. 
GEOLOGY. 
3. Fossil Carnivora .—M. Lartet announced the transmission of a large 
quantity of fossil bones from the tertiary formations of Gers. He considers that 
two new Carnivorous animals have been discovered among them, one a genus or 
sub-genus intermediate between the Otter and Badger, the other approaching the 
Dog. He says that among the fossil mammalia discovered in the vicinity of the 
Rhine, a number of species appear to be identical with those daily found at the 
foot of the Pyrenees, while the intermediate country, Auvergne, for example, had 
a very different population. Possibly hereafter the geographical circumstances 
which caused this, may be ascertained.— L’Institut. 
REVIEWS OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 
The Fruit , Flower , and Kitchen Garden ; being the Article cc Horticulture” of 
the Seventh Edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica . By Patrick Neill, LL.D., 
F.R.S.E., Secretary to the Caledonian Horticultural Society. Edinburgh : A.fy C. 
Black. 1838. Sm. 8vo. pp. 336. 
In this volume we find another member of that admirable series of scientific 
treatises in course of republication from the Encyclopaedia Britannica. The 
mere fact of its appearance in that great national work would be a powerful 
recommendation to the public; and this circumstance, coupled with the name of 
Dr. Neill, will be considered an ample guarantee of excellency by even the 
most cautious book-purchaser. 
That such a book affords little further scope for literary display than as a 
judicious compilation, may readily be conceived by those acquainted_with 4he 
