22 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



politan distribution, some of them having been taken at a depth of 

 over 2000 fathoms. The Kelvingrove specimen was captured about 

 four miles to the south of Rockall on a halibut line at a depth of 

 400 fathoms, just on the edge of the great submarine plateau which 

 here slopes down into the depths of the Atlantic." 



Basking Shark in Shetland Waters. The Sandwick 

 fishing-boat " Wave Crest " landed a magnificent specimen of the 

 Basking Shark (Cetorhinus maximus) on 18th September, which had 

 got entangled in her nets. The Shark was rolled up in ten herring- 

 nets and 160 fathoms of bush rope, the nets being completely 

 destroyed. The Shark measured 30 ft. in length and 16 ft. in girth, 

 the liver filling sixteen herring-baskets, equal to 4 crans, the value 

 being estimated at $. John S. Tulloch, Lerwick. 



BOOK NOTICES. 



The Home-Life of the Terns or Sea-Swallows, photographed 

 and described by W. Bickerton, F.Z.S., etc. With'32 mounted plates. 

 London : Witherby & Co. 6s. net. 



This, the latest addition to the Home-Life series, is second to none of 

 its predecessors in interest and excellence. The Terns stand pre-eminent 

 among our British birds for elegance of form and the delicacy and beauty 

 of their plumage ; and thanks to Mr Bickerton's skill, the fine series of 

 pictures of the birds in their nesting-haunts do them full justice. The 

 letterpress is in keeping with the artistic aspects of the book, and the 

 whole forms a very interesting and attractive volume. G. E. G.-M. 



Peeps at Nature : VI. The Romance of the Rocks, by Rev. 

 Charles A. Hall, F.R.M.S. London : Adam and Charles Black, 

 1912. Price rs. 6d. net. 



In a series of seven chapters, occupying some 86 pages, the author of 

 this attractive little work gives a readable and instructive account of the 

 main features of geological history. The coloured and photographic 

 plates, of which there are no fewer than eight of each, are excellent, and 

 emphasise in a striking manner the lessons imparted in the text. The 

 coloured views of Glencoe and Staffa, reproduced from paintings by 

 William Smith, are of special merit, and are alone worth the cost of the 

 book. We can cordially recommend this little volume. 



