British Seaweeds. By S. 0. Gray. (Reeve and Co.)--This manual
of British scaweeds will prove a serviceable companion to the col- lector. The descriptions of the several species are succinct, and yet so characteristic as to render identification easy. The informa- tion given as to newly discovered species, remarkable varieties, and the habitats of the various plants described shows that the author has fol- lowed the progress made in this branch of systematic botany. Mr. Gray has evidently studied not only the typical specimens in some of the beat herbaria of marine alga, but also the living plants themselves, and has produced a treatise which is not only handy and popular, but also scientific and exact. We, however, cannot bat take exception to several of the statements made by Mr. Gray ha his introductory chapters. In another edition this part of the work should be submitted to careful revision, especially with reference to such assertions as that gelatine is obtainable from Chondrus crispus, and that the "chemical substance " marmite is prepared from seaweeds. If Mr. Gray would take a little more pains with this part of his subject, his work would become more interesting, as well as more accurate. On the whole, we regard the pre- sent volume as a welcome and worthy addition to the series of books on British natural history started by the late Lovell Reeve, and to which he himself contributed an admirable work on our Land and Freshwater .Molhtsles. We ought to add that the present manual is convenient in size, moderate in price, and illustrated by several coloured figures firmly U rather sketchily drawn by the accomplished but almost too facile hand of Mr. Fitch.
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