7 oo SCIENCE PROGRESS 



that our biological stations, with the exception of the private one of Mr. Gurney 

 in Norfolk, are on the seaside. Quite different conditions prevail in North 

 America, where vast tracts of land are remote from the sea, but, on the other 

 hand, have access either to enormous lake areas or large rivers. Both these are 

 of considerable economic importance, and consequently we find the United States 

 supporting a score or so fresh-water biological stations, whose distribution is 

 indicated on a map on p. 22. By the way, the numbering of two of the Canadian 

 stations has been transposed, and this slip is not indicated in the somewhat long 

 list of Errata given at the end of the book. The little work that has been done 

 here, e.g. the survey of the Scottish lakes and the work of Dakin on the Plancton 

 of Lough Neagh, are on quite different lines from those indicated in the present 

 book. It evidently forms the basis of a course carried out in the station of the 

 Cornell University at Ithaca, and lucky, indeed, is the student who can do his 

 work under such enthusiastic guides as the authors. 



It has a decided value in this country, since most of the phenomena treated 

 can be paralleled here, only the species concerned being different, and it brings 

 home in a very striking manner the interest and thoroughness of this aspect ot 

 biology. With comparatively simple equipment it is possible to obtain a great 

 deal of pleasure and scientific knowledge from the study of fresh-water life. 



The book, as a whole, is well illustrated and printed, and a good bibliography 

 adds much to its usefulness. It is certainly one to be read by all biologists, and, 

 indeed, by all interested in nature-study for the freshness of its outlook and the 

 clarity with which it is written. We can heartily concur with the appeal at its 

 close asking that efficient steps should be taken to preserve the wild fauna of the 

 fresh water, and also to make the fishing of lakes and rivers a question of husbandry 

 instead of, as it is at present, pure exploitation. 



C. H. O'D. 



The Natural History of the Farm. A Guide to the Practical Study of the 

 Sources of our Living in Wild Nature. By J. G. Needham. [Pp. 348, 

 with 140 figures and numerous schedules.] (Ithaca, New York: The 

 Comstock Publishing Co., 1916. Price $1.50.) 



This book is obviously intended for the use of nature-study pupils in a school. It 

 takes the farm supplying our food as its central point, and the whole of the 

 surroundings of this are treated at various seasons of the year ; but in the main 

 from the point of view of the part the various species play in the life of the farm. 

 The course is, on the whole, very well planned, and indicates a very useful supply 

 of knowledge which the students are to obtain for themselves. It is, of course, not 

 of great use save for the drawing up of a similar course in this country, as the 

 conditions and surroundings are so different. Ample directions and tabular 

 schedules are given to aid in the practical work ; they are purposely left blank in 

 order that they may be filled in by actual observation. 



C. H. O'D. 



Rustic Sounds and other Studies in Literature and Natural History. By 

 Sir Francis Darwin. [Pp. 231, with illustrations.] (London : John 

 Murray, 1917. Price 6s. net.) 



Sir Francis Darwin was well advised in publishing or re-publishing this collection 

 of charming essays. The stranger, having once taken the book up, can scarcely 



