112 . The Ohio Naturalist. [Vol. VII, No. 5^ 



Books Received. 



"Boulder Reveries," by AV. S. Blatchley, State Geologist of 

 Indiana. A pleasing little volume bearing the title of "Boulder 

 Reveries," is a late production of W. S. Blatchley, of Indian- 

 apolis. From the title one might be led to open the volume 

 to read about boulders but the author makes it clear that 

 living things have more attractions for him for on page 67 

 he writes: " I started alone this morn for my chosen rendezvous 

 — the moss-covered boulder on the woodland slope. There I 

 had an appointment with the squirrels, the marmots, the ants, 

 the crows, the jays and all their kin. There I was to meet 

 certain representatives which they were to send, and hold with 

 them high communion on the peaceful Sabbath day. I started 

 alone, and alone I wished to be, alone with my thoughts and 

 the denizens of the woods." 



"The little volume here offered was, with the exception of the 

 last two articles, written in an old woods-pasture in Central- 

 Western Indiana." It is an account of what the author saw of 

 nature while strolling in the woods-pasture mentioned or while 

 seated on one of the gray boulders which are reproduced from 

 photographs for the book, and which Mr. Blatchley admires a 

 great deal. Snakes, frogs, birds, insects and many other animals 

 are mentioned and the brook, the trees and other plants come in 

 for their share of attention now and then. The work is so written 

 that the reader has no trouble in understanding the thoughts 

 intended to be expressed and I am sure it will do much to stim- 

 ulate the outdoor study of nature and interest in living things, 

 no matter how lowly. One thought is put foremost, it seems to 

 me, and that is, that all animals, even the snake, are much more 

 interesting when alive, and when life is taken away there is 

 nothing further in them to admire. The work is very com- 

 mendable and should be read widelv. 



"Practical Zoology," by Professor Alvin Davidson, of 

 Lafavette College. This book is sent out by the American Book 

 Companv as an elementary text-book treating of the structure, 

 life historv, and relation of aniinals. It is well illustrated and con- 

 tains an abundance of facts taken largely from species that are of 

 interest on account of economic habits. The idea is a good one 

 for it seems that while a ])upil is studying zoology it is well to use 

 an economic species as a l)asis, and there is such a species of 

 common occurrence to represent nearly every grou]) of animals 

 known. The book should have a wide usage in tlic place for 

 which it is intended. - • — J. S. H. 



