192 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



amateur collector. The 38 pages dealing with the variation of the 

 puzzling Plebeius argits are a revelation to us, showing what can be 

 done by carefully studying a large series of specimens taken in 

 different localities and under different conditions. It will astonish 

 not a few, indeed, to read that " the impress of these conditions 

 is such as to lead us to recognise almost at sight the origin of 

 individuals coming from lowland, highland, heath, and moorland 

 districts." Mr. Tutt's volumes are verily a treasure - house of 

 information, of which it is impossible to speak too highly. We can 

 only wish him strength and length of days to continue, if not to 

 complete, the herculean task, so much of which he has already 

 admirably accomplished. P. H. G. 



COLONSAY, ONE OF THE HEBRIDES, ITS PLANTS, THEIR LOCAL 

 NAMES AND USES LEGENDS, RUINS, AND PLACE-NAMES GAELIC 

 NAMES OF BIRDS, FISHES, ETC. CLIMATE, GEOLOGICAL FORMATION, 

 ETC. By Murdoch M'Neill. Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1910. 

 Sm. 8vo. Pp. x and 216. 



This little volume is a valuable contribution to the history, 

 natural and civil, of the island of Colonsay. Unpretentious in 

 form and in style, it is full of most interesting information of the 

 nature detailed in the title-page. Introductory chapters, extending 

 to 85 pages, deal with the past history and traditions of the island 

 and its people, the Gaelic names of animals, the geological structure, 

 and the more general matters relating to the habitats and characters 

 of the flora, both native and introduced ; but the greater part of 

 the book (pp. 86-204) is devoted to a systematic account of the 

 flowering plants and fern allies of the island. All the species 

 and their varieties are named, and information is given as to 

 frequency, the localities being added for most. The Gaelic names 

 and local uses of all that could be determined are also given, as 

 well as numerous notes from other works, the local being clearly 

 distinguished from the more general information. The interest of 

 many of the notes, gathered in the island, of folklore that is fast 

 dying out, causes regret that so much has been already lost, and 

 that so few attempts have been and are being made to preserve such 

 records of the past. There are several additions to the species 

 and varieties previously recorded from vice-county 102, of which 

 Colonsay forms a part. 



