2 
REVIEWS. 
mind and the close application required by those who study to separate 
genus from genus, and species from species, to arrange the too often dis¬ 
jointed and chaotic mass presented to them by the mere observer ; but we 
confess our sympathies are with those who prefer to make acquaintance with 
the living and not the dead —who draw their descriptions, not from the 
distorted caricatures which disgrace our museums, but who love to woo 
nature in her wildest retreats, and who present portraits wdiich bear stamped 
upon them the impress of the originals. To this class of observers belongs 
the author of the “ Rambles of a Naturalist on the Devonshire Coast” 
Mr. Gosse has long since won a high name as an acute observer, 
and his reputation as a most agreeable writer is already so well established, 
that a work from his pen need only be announced to be gladly welcomed 
by a large circle of admirers ; and the present will ably support the pre¬ 
vious character of its talented author. It contains much curious informa¬ 
tion respecting the lower forms of animal life, derived from close observa¬ 
tion, and the investigations recorded in its pages are of the highest interest 
to the naturalist, particularly those connected with the development and 
embryology of the zoophytes, and the varied forms and curious properties 
of the Thread-capsules in the Polypes and Medusae. Many of these are 
accompanied by illustrations, of which the volume contains twenty-eight, 
twelve of which are printed in colours, and very accurately depict some of 
the rarer organisms described in its pages. Among the animals figured is 
one of more than ordinary elegance of form, which Mr. Gosse, believing to be 
undescribed, named Johnstonella-Catharina , in honour of Mrs. Johnston, 
whose skilful pencil has so ably depicted many of our native zoophytes. 
We regret to rob Mrs. Johnston of so graceful a compliment; but the ani¬ 
mal figured has long been known as Tomopteris onisciformis , and a 
very able memoir has appeared of its structure, by Grube, in Muller’s 
Archiv. for 1848. It is an animal very widely distributed, having been 
frequently captured in the Southern Pacific. 
The circumstances under which this work was penned render it pecu¬ 
liarly interesting; it is a record of how an invalid passed his forced 
leisure— 
“ A mirror of the thoughts and feelings which occupied the mind of the writer 
during a nine months’ residence on the charming shores of North and South Devon ! 
Pursuing an occupation which always possesses new delight—the study of the curious 
forms, and still more curious instincts of animated beings.” 
When obliged to leave London, by the recommendation of his medical 
attendants, the instincts of a true naturalist led Mr. Gosse to seek renewed 
health and strength u among the shells and nudibranches, the sea anemones 
and corallines of fair Devonshire.” By the advice of a friend, the village 
