222 REVIEWS. 



and absorbing. Its various chapters treat, amongst other subjects, of Sea- 

 weeds, Rambles in Cornwall, the Channel Tunnel, Marvels of the Pond, Tiny 

 Rock-builders, Star gazing, An Evening at the Microscope, etc. There are 

 63 excellent illustrations. 



Studies in Evolution and Biology. By Alice Bodington. 

 Cr. 8vo, pp. xii. — 222. (London : Elliot Stock. 1890.) 



Few works have been read by us with greater pleasure and interest than 

 Sketches in Evolution and Biology, by Mrs. Alice Bodington. Whether one 

 agrees or not with the author's views of Evolution, it is not easy to lay down a 

 book so clearly and attractively written ; she has grouped together in the most 

 effective way for her purpose, a vast mass of facts, and has made splendid use 

 of the twenty-four books and authors to which she refers, and a list of which is 

 given in the preface. When a writer like Mrs. Bodington adorns whatever 

 subject she touches, it is difficult to select from her essays any for special 

 commendation. However, we will mention the Second, on Mammalia ; the 

 Third, on the Flora of the past ; and the Fifth, on Bacilli or Micro-organisms. 

 These seem peculiarly interesting ; but the entire book is well worth thought- 

 ful reading. 



Glimpses into Nature's Secrets, of Strolls on Beach and 

 Down. By Edward Alfred Martin. Cr. Svo, pp. x. — 125. (London : Elliot 

 Stock. 1890.) 



This interesting little work is divided into two parts ; the first is devoted 

 to an attempt to bring under the observer's notice a few facts relating to those 

 creatures of the sea shore, which are always replete with interest to the seaside 

 sojourner. In the second part the reader is made familiar with the study of 

 the ancient history of our globe, as handed down to us in the form of rock- 

 written stories, giving us glimpses of the various phases through which the 

 earth has passed. We are much pleased with the book. 



Die Naturlichen Pflanzenfamilien. Von A. Englerund 



K. Prantl. (London : Williams and Norgate. Leipzig : W. Engelman. 

 1890.) 



Nos. 37 to 43 of this famous work are to hand, and treat of the follow- 

 ing families : — Clethraceas, Pirolacese, Lennoaceas, Ericaceae, Epacridacese, 

 and Diapensiacea;. by O. Drude ; Myrsinacese and Euphorbiaceae, by F. Pax ; 

 Candolleaceae, by S. Schonland ; Calyceraceas, by F. Hock ; Composit, 

 by O. Hoffmann ; Desmidiacese, Zygnemaceae, Mesocarpaceae, Volvocaceas, 

 Tetrasporacea.', Chlorospha^raceae, Protococcaceae, Hydrodictyaceae, Ulvaceae. 

 Ulothrichaceae, and Chaetophoracece, by N. Wille. Every subject in this work 

 is treated in a most thorough manner, the illustrations are numerous and good; 

 in the seven parts before us there are 189 engravings, containing no fewer than 

 1405 separate illustrations. We cordially recommend the work to our botanical 

 readers. 



Pond Life, Algae, and Allied Forms. By T. Spencer Smithson. 

 Crown 8vo, pp. 93. (London : Swan Sonnenschein and Co. 1890.) 



This volume of the " Young Collector " series forms a nice companion 

 volume to No. 5, which treated of insects found in the ponds and rivers. The 

 book opens with a Table of Classification of the Algae ; in the introductory 

 chapter, instructions are given for collecting this interesting class of plants. 

 There are also upwards of 30 good illustrations. 



By Canoe and Dog Train. By Egerton E. Young. Cr. Svo, 

 pp. 267. (London: C. H. Kelly. 1890.) Price 3s, 6d. 



This book gives a most interesting account of the life and labours of Mr. 



