coal, yet I have found specimens which show that in the coal. seams themselves true woody tissues have sometimes been im bedded unchanged, and converted into structureless coal, forming like the coniferous trees converted into jet in more modern formations, thin bands of very pure bituminous material. The proportion of woody matter in this state differs in different coals, and is probably greatest in those which show the least mineral charcoal; but the alteration which it has undergone renders it almost impossible to distinguish it from the flattened bark, which in all ordinary cases is much more abundant."

Along the Atlantic coast there is a vast series of slates and quartzites which Dr. Dawson thinks may be a continuation of the Primordial zone of Newfoundland. We are strongly inclined to the belief that this supposition will yet turn out to be well founded. This tract being composed of intensely plicated rocks will be difficult to work, but the discovery of a Paradoxides or a Pulacopyge would amply repay the observer for any amount of search. Just now when Darwin's theory is attracting so much attention, any organic thing that can be exhumed from such a vastly ancient resting place must possess an extraordinary interest.

E. B.

Elements of Chemical Physics; by J. P. Cooke, Jr., Irving Professor of Chemistry and Mineralogy in Harvard University. Little, Brown & Co., Boston. 1860.

This work demands commendation for its superiority to the generality of American text books on science. It does not come up to our ideal of a scientific exposition of the subjects on which it treats, and yet it is far in advance of any work upon the same or kindred topics published on this side the Atlantic, and merits and we trust will have large success. Its defects are so to speak necessary. The author has not felt warranted in assuming any more extended acquaintance with mathematics, on the part of his readers, than is implied in a knowledge of the methods of solving simple equations, and a familiarity with the rudiments of geometry. It is obvious that many demonstrations in physics are thereby rendered prolix, and some impossible, so that in this work principles, the legitimate consequences of others previously assumed or demonstrated, have to be established by an appeal to experiment, the process of deduction being too tedious-if not

altogether impracticable-without the aid of more abstruse mathematical processes.

The present volume is the first of a promised series forming a course on the Philosophy of Chemistry. In this volume the author aims to give a complete development of the theory of weighing .and measuring. In the rough these operations are simple enough, and intelligible enough; but when as in many chemical investigations, an error of a hundred thousandth is important, minute sources of error have to be guarded against which demand for their elimination a knowledge of physical laws not always possessed by the tyro. When it is remembered that the chemist must correct his first approximation to the weight or volume of the substance with which he experiments for errors arising from the buoyancy of the air, its ever varying pressure, its different degrees of humidity, from changes of temperature of the mass to be computed, as well as of the vessel that contains it, and from many other more refined and occult influences, it is easy to conceive that an extended acquaintance with the laws of motion, with the nature of matter, with hydrostatics, with pneumatics, with thernotics and with other branches of Natural Philosophy is necessary.

The author in the development of the subject has adopted a simple natural arrangement. First he gives a chapter of introductory observations in which, by the way, he attempts with indifferent success to distinguish between chemical and physical changes. The second chapter treats of the general properties of matter and the laws of motion. The third chapter treating of molecular forces, first between homogeneous, and then between heterogeneous molecules, we consider to be the best chapter of the work, giving most valuable information in a clear concise style. The fourth chapter, on heat, contains a large amount of well digested information; we cannot however avoid expressing our surprise that the author of a work like the present should enumerate but "two theories" of the nature of heat as "current among philosophers "-the material theory and the undulatory theory-making no reference to the remarkable dynamical theory of heat that has deservedly attracted so much attention in the last few years. If the fifteen or twenty pages devoted to a description of the steam-engine were compressed into two, and the space thus saved devoted to a discussion of the nature of vapours and gases as illustrated by that theory, we think this por

tion of the work would have been much better performed. The fifth chapter is on weighing and measuring.

The individual portions of the whole are generally well elaborated. The author is everywhere clear but not always concise He is sometimes tempted to expatiate unduly on topics not immediately connected with his subject. It must, however, be said that his digressions are usually both pleasing and instructive, and cannot be regretted except for their interference with the unity of his design. The work is one that will well repay perusal, and we trust will be studied and mastered by every student of chemistry. We anticipate with pleasure the appearance of the succeeding volume on Stoichiometry and Chemical Classification.

Salmon Fishing in Canada by a Resident. JAMES E. ALEXANDER, with Illustrations. man's. Montreal: B. Dawson & Son.

S. P. R.

Edited by COL. SIR
London: Long-

Those who delight in the pastime of Salmon Fishing in the fine tributaries of the St. Lawrence will find in this Book much, both to instruct and interest them. It is written in a very chaste and pleasing style, and as it abounds in good stories it may be read. with interest by all classes of persons. The author is evidently an adept in the piscatory art, and knows how to go about and to enjoy a vacation ramble in the solitary wilds of the Lower St. Lawrence. His descriptions of the natural scenery of the country are good and likely to awaken desires in the reader to escape from the civilized and settled place in which he may live and enjoy the freedom of the waters and the woods.

Were we disposed to be critical we should say that the Sermon with which the Chaplain favours the tourists is rather long, and would be improved by a reduction of its bulk. The latter part might be judiciously left out both for the reputation of the author's divinity, and the comfort of the reader. We quite agree with the Baron in thinking this part to be rather "fishy." The vignettes which are interspersed through the work are sketched with remarkable spirit; and although not very artistic are yet very clever and amusing. The Appendix contains several valuable papers on the natural history of the Salmon, and on its peculiar habits in the Canadian waters and elsewhere. We trust that the publication of this Book by its excellent and obliging author, indicates the beginning of a new era in the treatment of CAN. NAT.

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VOL. V

the game Fishes of our Rivers and Lakes. A good Act has been passed by the Provincial Parliament for their protection; and the Commissioner of Crown Lands is a zealous coadjutor in this praiseworthy object. It is only now necessary that the provisions of the Act be faithfully and vigorously enforced-that farmers and others resident on our Salmon and Trouting Streams should both discourage and denounce all poaching. The inspector of the Salmon and Trout fisheries of the Province has wisely taken steps during the past season to put an end to the wholesale distruction of fish out of season at their spawning beds. It is for the interest of the Province and for every dealer in and lover of these noble fish that these valuable products of our waters should be conserved at seasons where their flesh is really almost poisonous, and they are engaged in multiplying their species at so immense a ratio, as, unless hindered, they are known to do.

For a Winter evening or a Summer holiday this book will be found a most pleasing companion, and we trust that it will meet with many readers.

A. F. K.

The Glaciers of the Alps: being a narrative of Excursions and Ascents, an Account of the Origin and Phenomena of Glaciers, and an Exposition of the Physical principles to which then are related. By J. TYNDALL, F.R.S., Professor of Natural Philosophy, Royal Institution of Great Britain, with Illustrations. Boston: Ticknor and Fields. Montreal: B. Dawson & Son.

This Book is divided into two parts; the first chiefly narrative, and the second chiefly scientific. In Part I. the author seeks to convey some notion of the life of an Alpine explorer, and of the means by which his knowledge is acquired. In Part II. an attempt is made to classify such knowledge and to refer the observed phenomena to their Physical causes. This part of the work is written with an evident desire to interest intelligent persons who may not possess any special scientific culture. For their sakes the author dwells more fully on principles than he would have done were he addressing purely scientific readers.

The learned author was led into the investigations which this book contains from the study of slaty cleavage in the Silurian Rocks of Wales. The crystalline theory of Sedgwick and others did not appear to him adequately to account for the phenomena.

He was led in the course of his enquiries, to the study of Forbes's famous work on the Alpine Glaciers. The phenomena observable in these masses of moveable ice led him to suppose that possibly they might afford a solution of the problem of slaty cleavage in rocks. This he endeavours with singular clearness and force to show. The conclusions to which he arrives are, that cleavage in the glaciers at angles to the planes of their surfaces is due to the immense latteral pressure to which they are subjected. This ascertainable fact he applies to the cleavage of stratified rocks at angles to the planes of stratification. The attention of other observers has been directed to the same subject and from experiments and observed facts we are in a fair way of arriving at certain conclusions regarding the nature and causes of slaty cleavage.

This book is written in a fine, frank, manly style. With great simplicity and beauty it combines in a successful manner the popular and scientific in the treatment of its topics. To our youth, and to those of riper years, furnished with the education which our schools and colleges afford, we can recommend this book with confidence that they will find it most interesting and profitable reading.

What may be Learned from a Tree.
New York: D. Appleton & Co.
Son.

A. F. K.

By HARLAND COULTAS. Montreal: B. Dawson &

This book is respectfully dedicated to all lovers and friends of nature. The author's intention is to show what may be learned from a tree physically and analogically. He traces its life-history from the first manifestations of vitality in the germinating seed until the period of puberty when it puts forth flowers and fruit; he also considers its phenomena after it has passed its prime; and shows its appointed limits, in virtue of the physiological law which governs the development of its organisms in common with those of all other plants.

The author aims at writing a popular book; he addresses himself to the people,—those who feel life to be one continued strnggle for existence. The style is rather popular and eloquent for our taste, we would prefer greater clearness and simplicity and less diffuseness of style and treatment. The object of the work is creditable, the author's acquaintance with vegetable physiology seems accurate and considerable, and his treatise may be read with much interest and profit.