358 JOXIRNAL OF THE WASHINGTON ACADEMY OF SCIENCES VOL. 11, NO. 15 



and information-books in this field^ than to select a list of the type 

 described in our specifications, but the following will serve as good 

 introductions : 



Darwin, Charles. Insectivorous plants. 462 pp. (Appleton and Co., 

 New York, 1896.) An extremely interesting book, and a classic for nearly 

 fifty years. Darwin did his work so thoroughly and well that no one else 

 has touched the subject since to add anything of importance. 



Townsend, C. W. Sand dunes and salt marshes. 311 pp. (Dana 

 Estes and Co., Boston, 1913.) Avery readable and interesting book, highly 

 suggestive to anyone spending a vacation at the seashore. Contains much 

 about plant and animal life, and the physiography of the shore region. 



The zoologists have provided more abundantly the kind of books 

 wanted for this list than have the botanists, though their subject 

 matter is hardly more diverse. A sketchy view of their field, beginning 

 with the mammals and coming down the scale to the protozoa, may 

 be had from the following books : 



Stone, Witmer, and Cram, W. E. American animals. A popular guide 

 to the mammals of North America north of Mexico. 318 pp. (Doubleday, 

 Page and Co., New York, 1902.) Not simply a manual, but a good book 

 to look through and read. It is abundantly illustrated with plates and half- 

 tones, and tehs just the things about the mammals that the average reader 

 who has met them in the woods or seen them in the "Zoo" is interested to know. 



Roosevelt, Theodore. African game trails. 583 pp. (Charles Scrib- 

 ner's Sons, New York, 1910.) No American needs to be told that the late 

 ex-president was one of the most versatile of men. Though some of his 

 critics accused him of substituting vigorous assertion for calm argument 

 his zoological writings have often proved to be more reliable than others 

 with a greater appearance of erudition. 



Beebe, C. Jungle peace. 297 pp. (Henry Holt and Co., New York, 

 1919.) A combination of zoology and philosophic reflections which makes 

 very interesting reading, written by a keen and scientifically trained observer. 



Chapman, Frank M. Camps and cruises of an ornithologist. 432 pp. 

 (D. Appleton and Co., New York, 1908.) Bird books for nature lovers are 

 abundant, but are usually written for a particular locality. This one of 

 Chapman's can be read with interest and profit in any part of the United 

 States, and its author is a recognized authority in his subject. 



Herrick, F. H. The home life of wild birds. 148 pp. (G. P. Putnam's Sons, 

 New York, 1901.) Although the author's subtitle calls the book a descrip- 

 tion of "A new method of the study and photography of birds," it is much 

 more than that. His methods are interestingly described, but are followed 

 up with entertainingly written examples of the additions that anyone who 

 is really interested can make to ornithological science. 



Fabre, J. H. Social life in the insect world. (Translation by Bernard 

 MiaU.) 327 pp. (Century Co., New York, 1912.) It is difficult to select 

 from Fabre's books. All of them might weU be recommended for such a 



' The preliminary circulation of this list has evoked so many requests for a list of re- 

 liable manuals which students in one branch of science can depend upon for information 

 in other branches, that the publication of such a list is recommended to the attention of 

 a future committee. 



