REVIEWS. 131 



instances he conducts us straight to the homes of these creatures, which he 

 describes with great accuracy of detail, and on returning to the old farmhouse 

 we meet the whole family circle, who join in a general discussion concerning 

 their habits ; the interest of these discussions being much increased by the 

 quaint sayings and superstitious lore of two coloured servants, named "Old Dan" 

 and "Sary Ann." 



We feel that we cannot say too much in hearty appreciation of this book, 

 Dr. McCook being a naturalist of no mean order. 



A Descriptive Astronomy. By Joel Dorman Steele, Ph.D.; 



pp. XII. — 326. (New York : A. S. Barnes and Co. 1884.) 



" The Story of the Stars " is one of Steele's Science Series. The author, 

 believing that natural science is full of fascination, has sought to weave the 

 story of those far-distant worlds into a form that may attract the attention and 

 kindle the enthusiasm of the pupil, and we most certainly think he has suc- 

 ceeded. 



The book before us is illustrated with 113 engravings and 4 plates, some 

 coloured, also a map of the stars of the northern hemisphere. At the end of 

 the various chapters we have a number of practical questions, and as an appen- 

 dix at the end of the book. Questions for Classes, a key to which may be had 

 of the publishers. 



A Final Report of the Crustacea of Minnesota^ included 



in the orders Cladocera and Copepoda ; together with a Synopsis of the Des- 

 cribed Species in North America, and Keys to the known species of the more 

 important Genera. By C. L. Herrick, Assistant-in-Zoology ; pp. 191, 



This wide-ranging treatise on the Crustacea is divided into several chapters : 

 — I. The Enemies of the Entomostraca. 2. Order Cladocera. 3. Order 

 Copepoda. 4. Collecting, Preservation, and Miscellaneous Notes. 



This splendid work is illustrated with about 24 plates, photo-printed from 

 the author's own drawings. These, if they have not the finish of well-executed 

 lithographs, yet admirably serve the purpose of explaining points of structure 

 which could not be communicated verbally. 



The Agricultural Grasses of the United States. By 



George Vasey, Botanist to the United States Department of Agriculture ; also 



The Chemical Composition of American Grasses. By 



Clifford Richardson, Assistant- Chemist Washington Government Printing 

 Office. 1884. 



In the book before us we find a very careful description of about 160 of the 

 grasses of the United States, their mode of growth, locality most suitable, etc., 

 with 120 full-page lithographic plates of the same, thus forming a very valuable 

 addition to our knowledge of this interesting order of plants. 



Annual Report of the Board of Regents of the Smith- 

 sonian Institution : Showing the Operation, Expenditure, and Condition _ __^_,.^ 

 of the Institution for the year 1882; pp. 855. (Washington: Government-'X Q I ^ i' 

 Printing Office. 1884.) y V V)^ ^- 



