in iron, and an investigator into its properties, and the processes of its manufacture, render it one of the most complete books that can be consulted. For the general reader, who wishes to be informed about a branch of manufacture and commerce of the highest value and importance to all countries, and for those who are themselves engaged in any department of the iron trade, this work will prove invaluable, and cannot be too strongly recommended.

First Sketch of the New Geological Map of Scotland; with Explanatory Notes. By Sir Roderick I. Murchison, D.C.L., F.R.S., Director-General, and Archibald Geikie, F.R.S., F.G.S., Geologist, of the Geological Survey of Great Britain. Constructed by A. Keith Johnston, Geographer to the Queen. Edinburgh W. & A. K. Johnston, and W. Blackwood & Sons. London: E. Stamford, Charing Cross.

The leading object of the projectors of this map, as explained by Sir Roderick Murchison, is to lay the basis of a new classification of the rocks of Scotland, with the view of carrying out to their ultimate application the principles first promulgated by Hutton. For this end the careful explorations of Sir Roderick himself, and of the other skilful geologists by which he has been assisted, and to which the science of geology owes in no small measure its rapid development, have been embodied in the map with an amplitude and a distinctness which renders the geological structure of the country patent to the eye, even of the most unitiated, at a glance. To simplify it all the more, there is placed along its margins transverse sections through different parts of the country, showing the general succession of the rock masses. We have first, a generalized section of the crystalline rocks of the Northern Highlands, from the Hebrides across Sutherland, to Brora; secondly, a general section of the country from the northwest promontory of Skye to the Cheviot Hills; thirdly, one from Ben Lomond to the Cheviot Hills; and, fourthly, a detailed section of the structure of Arthur's Seat, as worked out by Mr. Geikie during the progress of the Geological Survey in Scotland. The map, while it presents a complete geological picture of the country, is distinguished from all the other maps that have preceded it, in embracing all the most recent discoveries, and in correcting various errors into which earlier geologists were led while con

ducting their researches during the dawning of the science, if not also in setting at rest some of the questions upon which different opinions have arisen. Its execution is the production of Mr. Geikie, at the request of and aided by Sir Roderick Murchison, who felt, he says, "aware that in addition to all that had been done in the north, Mr. Geikie's intimate acquaintance with the rocks of the south would render the work of essential service in advancing Scottish geology." There is prefixed to the map an explanatory sketch by Sir Roderick of its various sections, which throws much interesting light upon the progress of discovery; and the topography has been laid down by Mr. A. Keith Johnston, who, as a geographer, has long enjoyed a world-wide reputation. Sir Roderick himself, with the assistance of his colleagues, has completed the map by adding to it many names of places of geological importance. The combined labours of men so distinguished in their respective walks as those to whom we owe the construction of this map, could not fail to prove eminently successful; and we have in it, accordingly, one of the best manuals for the study of the geology of our native country that has yet come under our notice.

Prof. Hall on Receptaculites.

Prof. Hall sends to us a sheet of his forthcoming report on Wisconsin, containing among other matters, notices of several species of the remarkable genus Receptaculites, found principally in the lead-bearing limestones of that State. Two of these had been previously discovered and described by Dr. D. D. Owen, under the generic names Coscinopora and Gelenoides. Prof. Hall refers both, and four other species found with them, to the genus Receptaculites, and after noticing the new facts in the structure of these fossils stated by Salter in the 1st decade of organic remains, issued by the Canadian Geological Survey, gives the following amended description of the genus.

Generic Characters.-Body consisting of an infundibuliform spreading disc, more or less concave at the centre, depressedorbicular, and globose. The spreading discold forms consist of a range of vertical cells in single series; the orbicular discoid. forms have radiated curving cells which are directed from the centre or axis towards the margin, their length and curvature depending on the size and form of the mass; the foramnia or cells VOL. VI. No. 6.

CAN. NAT.

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in all the forms become larger as they recede from the centre to the periphery, and again become smaller, on the lower side, in the globose forms. Cells cylindrical, contracted below the aperture, and thickened or expanded above, with rhomboidal openings at each extremity. On one side the openings sometimes shows obsolescent rays; the interior walls of the cells are often striated as if preserving the remains of transverse septa.

In all these bodies the cells are arranged on curving lines which diverge from the centre in a constantly enlarging circle; these are crossed by similar lines in an opposite direction, which thus leave quadrangular or rhomboidal spaces, "like the engine turned ornament of a watch." The form of these apertures depends upon the degree of curvature, or upon the form of the mass to which the curvature of the cell lines will conform. In all cases, however, the cell is cylindrical beneath the exterior.

Since the cells vary in size at different distances from the centre, the size of the cells in separate fragments, affords no means, alone, for specific determination.

Regarding the form and mode of growth, I have recognised the following species in the Galena limestone of the lead region. The species described are

The first of these species sometimes attains to a diameter of 12 inches; and if as Salter supposes, these fossils really belong to Foramenifera, the present observations of Prof. Hall extend in a remarkable manner our ideas of the development and number of these singular creatures in the silurian seas.

Prof. Hall states in the introduction of the report, that large materials have been collected for extended publication on the geology, palæontology, and useful minerals of Wisconsin. We hope that these will be speedily published, and in a manner creditable to the State, and worthy of the talent and skill employed in the work.

J. W. D.

Scientific Farming made easy, or The Science of Agriculture reduced to practice. By THOMAS C. FLETCHER. 2nd edition. London: Routledge, Warne & Routledge. Montreal: B. Dawson & Son.

This is an excellent manual for farmers and although written for England it yet contains directions for the proper cultivation of plants suitable for all countries. It is divided into two parts, the first of which treats of the soil and its fertilizers, the second of cattle feeding; an appendix is added containing general directions on matters of practical chemistry interesting to farmers. The most recent experiments and observations on the application of science to agriculture are given in this volume, in short compass and in a simple intelligible manner. The observations on the feeding of cattle are specially valuable and cannot fail to be of interest to farmers in Canada.

Manual of Agriculture for the School, the Farm and the Fireside. By GEO. B. EMERSON and CHAS. L. FLINT. Boston: Swan, Brewer & Tilestone. Montreal: B. Dawson & Son.

This manual is designed for the instruction of the young. It has been prepared by the directions of the State Board of Agriculture of Massachusetts and is issued under their imprimatur, in the hope that it may be the means of laying the foundation of a complete agricultural education in the district schools of the State. The authors lay no claim to originality, and have availed themselves of all the information, scientific and practical within their reach. It embraces a wide range of topics. The chemistry of the earth, air and water is concisely and accurately stated. The elements of which plants are composed, and the modes of their growth receive ample attention. All the departments of practical farming are treated of, and illustrated with small but clear woodcuts. The chapter on the diseases and enemies of growing plants contains, in a brief form, almost all that can be said of practical use, on these subjects. For the use of teachers there are copious questions at the end of the volume. This book might, with great advantage, be introduced into our common schools in the country. The information which it contains could be easily communicated by any intelligent teacher, whether male or female, to the pupils who generally attend these schools, and could not fail to be both interesting and profitable.

BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA.

KINGSTON.

The eighth meeting of this Society was held in the Convocation Hall of Queen's College on Friday evening, 15th Nov., the Rev. Professor Williamson, LL.D., Vice-President, in the chair.

The chairman opened the proceedings by a short introductory address, in which he alluded to the recent origin of the Society, notwithstanding which, it had already struck its roots deeply into the soil, passed the period of youth, and grown up into a goodly tree, whose branches were spread far and wide. Already, he said, contributions and applications for membership were almost daily being received not only from various parts of Upper and Lower Canada and the adjoining States, but also from Britain, and France, and Italy, and Germany, and even our Australian colonies. And not only so; the Society, young as it was, had already acquired the maturity requisite to enable it to bring forth abundant fruit. Its contributions to science, recorded in the "Annals" of the Society, and in numerous scientific journals of Canada and Britain, were already well known. A Botanic Garden had also been established in Kingston, the first of the kind in Canada, and one that might be expected ere long not only to add to the range of scientific knowledge, but also to yield valuable economic results from the experiments that would be undertaken as to the plants suited to our climate. A public Herbarium was also in course of formation, to which, as in other countries, the student might repair to resolve his doubts in the determination of obscure species. At this season of the year, the plants which form the objects of the botanist's study go to rest; so also the botanist himself withdraws from his pleasant and healthful researches in the fields and woods; but, as there is no real rest in the case of the plant, as the tissues go on developing, and the juices are being elaborated even beneath the snows of winter, so the botanist also does not now pass into a state of inactivity. Our winter meetings begin, the members come together, and an opportunity is afforded of elaborating and making known the results of the summer's work. The chairman concluded by alluding to the valuable aid that had been derived from Prof. Gray and Sir Wm. Logan in forwarding the objects of the Society, and expressed a hope that our Provincial Government would view the labors of this Society in the same favorable light in which they were viewed by scientific men, and give to the Society that countenance