60 
REVIEWS. 
similar fossil plants at places so widely differing in latitude, and hence in climate, 
is, in the present state of our knowledge, rather an argument against than for 
their having existed contemporaneously. The cycadece especially, whose fossil 
remains afford so much ground for geological speculations, are far from yielding 
such precise data as is supposed. Species of the order are found in Mexico, South 
Africa, Australia, and India, some inhabiting the hottest and dampest, and others 
the driest climates on the surface of the globe; and it appears to me rash to argue 
much from the coal of Yorkshire and of India, when we reflect that the geologist of 
some future epoch may find as good reasons for referring the present Cape, Austra¬ 
lian, or Mexican flora to the same period as that of the lias and oolites, when the 
cycadece , now living in the former countries, comes to be fossilized. 
“ Specific identity of their contained fossils may be regarded as fair evidence of 
the contemporaneous origin of beds, but among the many collections of fossil plants 
that I have examined, there is hardly a specimen, belonging to any epoch, suffi¬ 
ciently perfect to warrant the assumption that the species to which it belonged can be 
again recognised. The botanical evidences which geologists too often accept as 
proofs of specific identity, are such as no botanist would attach any importance 
to in the investigation of existing plants. The faintest traces assumed to be of 
vegetable origin are habitually made into genera and species by naturalists ignorant 
of structure, affinities, and distribution of living plants ; and of such materials the 
bulk of so-called systems of fossil plants is composed.” 
We would glady accompany our author through each step of his route, 
culling a flower here and there to present to our readers, but such a 
course would not be just. We can gather but an occasional bud, and trust 
that they will tempt many to read with the care they so well merit these 
most suggestive volumes. We had marked the account of Dr. Hooker’s 
interview with Lieutenant Ward, one of the suppressors of Thuggee , “ who 
kindly showed him the approvers, or king’s evidence, of his establishment, 
belonging to those three classes of human scourges — u Thug, Dakoit, and 
Poisoner.” We refrain from following our first intention, partly from the 
conviction that these passages will be transferred into most notices of the 
work, and partly because, though most curious, it does not, strictly 
speaking, fall within our province as a Natural History Eeview. In 
order, however, to give some idea of the extent to which Thuggee prevails, 
we may mention that— 
u Major Sleeman has constructed a map, demonstrating the number of c bails,’ 
or regular stations for committing murder, in the kingdom of Oude alone, which is 
170 miles long by 100 broad, and in which are 274, which are regarded by the 
Thug with as much satisfaction and interest as a game preserve in England. Nor 
are there ‘ bails ’ less numerous in other parts of India. Of twenty assassins who 
were examined, one frankly confessed to have been engaged in 931 murders, and 
the least guilty of the number to 24.” 
The details of the entire system, so often, though superficially, noticed in 
works on India, is here ably condensed, and will, no doubt, be read with 
interest by all who have the good fortune to meet with the “ Himalayan 
Journals.” 
In the month of March, Dr. Hooker reached Patna, where he took up 
his residence with Dr. Irvine, an old acquaintance and botanist; here his 
