T. gurnardus, with remarks on two species of Gobius; on the identity of Crenilabrus multidentatus with Labrus pusillus; and on the Irish Coregonus clupeoides and C. pollan, with exact figures. The sixth section of Dr. Johnston's "Miscellanea Zoologica" contains his observations on the British Aphroditaceae: his subjects are, Aphrodita aculeata, Polynoë squamata, P. cirrata, P. impar, and P. viridis, Pholoë inornata and Sigalion boa, with three plates, on which the chief characteristics of each animal are represented on three plates with numerous figures. Commencing with No. 37 of the plants collected by Mr. Schomburgk in British Guiana, Mr. Bentham enumerates the Leria nutans, Porophyllum latifolium, Baccharis erioptera, Schultesia stenophylla, S. brachyptera, Contoubea spicata, C. reflexa, Schuebleria tenella, S. coarctata, Lisianthus uliginosus, L. chelonioides, Irlbachia cœrulescens, Bacopa aquatica, Herpestris sessiliflora, Beyrichia ocimoides, Conobea aquatica, Vandellia crustacea, V. diffusa, Torenia parviflora, Buchnera palustris, B. lavandulacea, Scoparia dulcis, Gerardia hispidula, Glossostyles aspera, Hyptis recurvata, H. paludosa, H. lantanæfolia, H. brevipes, H. parkeri, H. pectinata, Marsypianthus hyptoides, Cryptocalyx nepetafolia, Lippia microphylla, Lantana salvifolia, L. annua, Camara tiliæfolia, Stachytarpheta elatior, S. cajenensis, Tamonea spicata, Petræa macrostachya, Pyrostoma ternatum, Vitex capitata, V. umbrosa, Ægiphila arborescens, Æ. laxiflora, Æ. salutaris, Clerodendron fragrans, Amasonia erecta, and A. hirta. Prof. Fries' account of a metamorphosis observed in Syngnathus lumbriciformis, the small pipe. fish, with two figures, is a curious contribution to ichthyology. The information respecting botanical travellers brings you to the end of this month's publication, and is completed in No. XIII. A SUPPLEMENTARY NUMBER. Mr. Gardner relates his proceedings at Pernambuco, and Mr. Harvey gives his from Southern Africa; under this head of " Information," which precedes three bibliographical notices, the proceedings of the Zoological and Wernerian Societies, and six miscellaneies intituled, on the fur-seal of commerce; a curious habit of earthworms; the occurrence of Atriplex rosea on most of the English coasts; the animal of Modiolus discrepans; the Vespertilio leisleri; and a note on the botany of the Channel Islands. The volume then finishes with Meteorological observations and tables, and nine plates with figures for illustrations. No. XIV.-Professor Morren introduces this month's contributions to natural history with a valuable essay on the "Production of Vanilla in Europe;" and his observations are divided into five sections, with the titles-of the species of Vanilla plant which produces the long and fine pods of commerce; an abstract of the history of the Vanilla planifolia, bearing large odoriferous fruits; a short digression on the introduction of Vanilla into domestic use; a detailed description of its cultivation; and remarks on the structure of this plant: the professor is certain that the V. planifolia is the same plant which is generally cultivated on the continent, and has produced at Liége an abundant crop of odorous and delicious fruit. Mr. Beyrich's memoir on the Goniatites found in the Transition Formations of the Rhine, exhibits the geological descriptions of Ammonites subnautilinus, A. lateseptatus, A. danenbergi, A. compressus, A. retrorsus and A. becheri, with illustrative figures. In a brief article on some new and rare Indian plants, Dr. Arnott describes the Schirostigma hirsutum, Acranthera ceylanica, Neurocalyx wightii, W. cey‐ lanicus; he characterises the Argosternma courtallense, in a foot-note. Ten Reptiles and eighty-two Fishes are noted in a new portion of Mr. Eyton's attempt to ascertain the Fauna of Shropshire and N. Wales; and, in an additional piece of his specimen of the New Zealand botany, Mr. Cunningham particularises twenty-seven species, making 552 the number of his catalogue. From Mr. Thomson's pen, there is an interesting paper on an apparently undescribed species of Lepadogaster, which he denominates L. cephalus, and on the Gobius minutus of Muller, and Cyclopterus minutus of Pallas, which the writer considers as the young of Cyclopterus lumpus, with much appearance of certainty. Over five bibliographical notices, you pass to the proceedings of the Linnæan, Geological and Zoological Societies, and of the Royal Irish Academy. For Miscellanies, there is a note on the genus Syngnathus ; then comes a report on the influence of native magnesia on the germination, vegetation and fructification of vegetables, and then the meteorological tables and observations. The Naturalist; illustrative of the Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral Kingdoms. with engravings; edited by Neville Wood, Esquire; royal 8vo. London, 1838-9. No. XXV, OCTOBER. Mr. Drosier takes the precedence in this month's publication, with “ interesting notes" on the habits of the Gasterosteus trachurus, or roughtailed tickleback, in Russia; and, next in course, come Mr. Buist's observations on certain singular phenomena connected with the deposition of mind in the river Tay. In a conversational sort of speculation on the abuse of prints in works of natural history, we are edified by an exposition of the notions of Mr. Rylands on that recondite subject. The next seven pages of his own periodical are occupied by a characterestic exhibition of Mr. Wood's sentences under the words "Gould's Birds of Europe;" and this is followed by Mr. Hall's on the habits and peculiarities of British plants, and on the derivations of their Latin names. By way of " correspondence," you have Mr. Bensted addressing the "Editor of the Naturalist" on the destruction of game by rats, on the necessity of freedom in scientific inquiry, and on the destruction of foliage by insects; and then you arrive at the Editor's affable reply, wherein he professes the magnanimity of advocating the cause of truth apart from all mercenary considerations! For a chapter of criticism," there are an apparent confirmation of Mr. Buist's statement that Columba palumbus, the ring-pigeon, eats the bulbs of turnips, and Mr. Rilands' question" Is Papilio podalirius a British insect," with his avowal that he feels inclined to retain himself as special pleader in favour of its claims to be ranked as one of the British butterflies. From this instructive chapter, you pass on to a memoir of Dr. Latham, whom all the world knew "almost exclusively as an ornithologist :" this remarkably modest and philosophical compilation is enriched with a portrait of the Doctor, and with an epistle indited by him in the ninety-sixth year of his age, for the seeming purpose of saying that the book on the "British Song Birds" is a very interesting book, and particuliarly adapted to charm as well as to enlarge young minds! The section composed of some of the Proceedings of the British Association, and of the geological, royal, horticultural, and entomo logical societies, precedes those which are denominated extracts from foreign journals, reviews of new publications, literary intelligence, chapter of miscellanies and obituary—all deserving their due meed of praise from enlightened naturalists. XXVI, NOVEMBER. First here comes the first epistle of Edwin Lees, F. G. S. to Neville Wood, Esq. on local occurrences in natural history: this lucubration will furnish the phrenologist with more than one of those facts which are not fancies. Ranking next after the first of Mr. L.'s letters, stands a tale about toes by Mr. Allis, who intitules it on the toes of the African ostrich, and the number of phalanges on the toes of other birds; and then Mr. Pigott appears with his notes on the domestic habits of the dormouse. Mr. Rylands propounds some observations on the classification of the Adephagous insects, and the arrangement adopted by him will secure the attention of "practical naturalists," but it may be seized as a confirmatory repudiation of their shallow impudence, who effect to despise classical learning. A voyage across the North and Baltic seas, by Mr. Drosier, transports you to the " Correspondence" on a venerable elm, which is well figured, on the spring of 1838, and on a supposed variety of the blindThe British Association's zoological and botanical "Proceedings" occupy a respectable portion of the journal; they are followed by a botanical "proceeding" of the Rochdale literary and philosophical society; and this No. closes with a brief "chapter of miscellanies" in zoology, botany, and geology. worm. XXVII, DECEMBER. Mr. Buist's natural history of the Polyommatus Artaxerxes, confers on this number an agreeable and entertaining introduction the insect is peculiar to the Scottish division of our island, and Mr. B. distinguishes the localities frequented by the "beautiful little Artaxerxes,” adding the specific characters by which it may be known. There stands next an account of a visit to the British Association at Newcastle, by a member, who here most glibly pours forth a splenetic and presumptuous effusion. From the effects of this, however, you may be relieved by Mr. Wood's "most candid and praise-worthy" analysis of Gould's Birds of Europe, among which the facetious "practical naturalist” invents opportunities of practising his characteristic gambols. Mr. Lankester follows his friend with the conclusion of remarks on the general structure and habits of invertebrate animals, with poetical decorations; and, in his train, Mr. Hall arrives with another of his pieces on the habits and peculiarities of British plants, and on the derivations of their Latin names. In a sketch and picture for the "Naturalist's Literary Portrait Gallery," Dr. Bevan is beautifully eulogized, and his "Honey Bee" is sweetly lauded as a most perfect and philosophical manifestation of “apiarian lore;” and this brings you to the " correspondence" between two of his correspondents and the editor, who, as usual, is abundantly complaisant: the subjects are brief and becoming-birds' nests and books on natural history. Next, there are notes for proceedings of eight natural history societies, with twelve little "extracts from foreign periodicals ;" and forthwith, over the "reviews of new publications," you pass to the "chapter of miscellanies," which bring the Naturalist to the conclusion of MDCCCXXXVIII. XXVIII, JANUARY. Dr. Hibbert has given value to this number by his notes and figures concerning the Mucor hyphanes, a new parasitic plant, found growing on the fruit of Crucifera thebaica, or dowm, the Thebaic palm, in Upper Egypt: it is characterized in an additional note by Mr. Berkeley to the editor. In a longish outline of the comparative structure of the skeletons of zoophytes, Mr. Wright produces a respectable display of “Greek and Latin" lore-the much-despised "Greek and Latin" lore! Then you have a page on a gigantic fossil fucus discovered in the new red sandstone at Woodside, in the river Mersey, from the pen of Mr. Duyer; then two pages from Mr. Hall, under the title, botanical notes, principally from the herbarium of the Liverpool botanic gardens; and then comes one of the sketches which Mr. Wood denominates a review of Gould's Birds of Europe. Mr. Hall's compilation on the habits and peculiarities of British plants, and on the derivation of their Latin names, is continued, and conducts you to the tr 'correspondence," which is made up of a complaint by Mr. Hall, connected with "the departure of swallows in 1838;" and of seven samples of gossiping, addressed to the editor by Mr. Pigott, without the "use of apologies." The "chapter of criticism" comprizes a lumpish tissue of fantastical and dogmatic jargon "on the medium of mental power in man and all other animals ;" and a query respecting Bohler's "Lichenes Botanici," to which the editor "anticipates the reply." The proceedings of seven societies—the zoological, medico-botanical, botanical, Linnæan, Worcester natural history, Liverpool royal, and the St. Andrew's literary and philosophical-are compendiously noted; and over the reviews of new publications and literary intelligence, you may advance to the chapter of miscellanies, and be amused with a medley of extracts from the pages of obsolete newspapers. BOOKS RECEIVED. DR. JONES' Lecture on the Study of the Greek and Latin Classics.Mr. SMART'S Beginnings of a New School of Metaphysics. Mr. JACOB JONES' "Cathedral Bell," a tragedy.-Mr. JACOB JONES' "Spartacus, an Historical Tragedy."-Annals of Natural History, for December, January, February, and March.-Philosophical Magazine, for December, January, February, and March.-Magazine of Natural History, for December, January, February and March.-Naturalist for October, November, December, and January.-British and Foreign Medical Review, by JOHN FORBES, M.D., F.R.S. and JOHN CONOLLY, M.D. for October and January. 67 VOL. IX., NO. XXVII. 34.0 39.0 31.5 43.0 35.0 41.0 28.5 42.5 31.0 9 a.m. 9 a.m. Cloudy a.m.; a hail storm before 1 p.m.; a fine evening. Fair 9 a.m.; rain towards 11 a.m.; continuing with little intermission all day. W.N.W. Clouded, but fair. Clouded, but fair, a.m.; rain p.m.; at past 3 p.m. the wind changed from Fair a.m.; much wind from the S.E., greatest force 114 tbs. at 34 hrs. p.m.; Very fair. Overcast 9 a.m.; very fair. Misty 9 a.m; very fair. A hoar frost; very fair all day. [heavy rain at half past 4 p.m. W.N.W.A hoar frost; very fair; a dense fog after sunset. A hoar frost; overcast p.m.; foggy towards evening. A dense mist, continuing all day. .150 S. 28.34 45.5 28.34 49.0 44.0 43.0 44.0 48.0 41.551.0 .210 S.S.E. 28.71 47.5 28.84 49.0 44.0 45.0 44.0 46.5 42.5 47.5 .125 .360 S.S.E. 47.5 49.5 44.0 52.5 .150 S.S.E 43.0 48.0 40.0 49.0 S. 29.7 46.0 29.66 48.5 38.0 43.5 Mean28.72 43.43 29.02 44.81 38.10 39.36 39.67 143.58 37.02 45.30 A fine evening; hazy p.m. V Very fair, a.m.; overcast p.m.; rain from 4 hrs. a.m. of the 18th. Overcast, but fair all day. Overcast all day: rain at night. Overcast, but fair. Cloudy, all day. [44tbs. pressure. Morning fair; p.m. rain and sleet with little intermission, a brisk E. wind 3.145 Sum. Height of the cistern of the barometer above the ground, 23ft. 6in. |