igo ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



BOOK NOTICES. 



A Naturalist in Tasmania. l>y Geoffrey Smith, M.A. 

 (Oxford: The Clarendon Press, 1908.) Price 7s. 6d. net. 



As the result of a six months' residence in Tasmania during the 

 spring and summer of 1907-8, Mr. Smith has produced an inter- 

 esting little volume dealing with the animal and plant life which 

 came under his notice. The main object of his visit was to make a 

 special study of the fauna of the freshwater lakes of the island — an 

 important piece of biological investigation, — and a large section of 

 his book is devoted to describing the results of his researches, a 

 number of his discoveries among the crustaceans being figured. 

 The author proves himself to have been an enthusiastic all-round 

 observer, and he discusses engagingly on animal life generally ; the 

 egg-laying mammals Platypus and Echidna coming in for special 

 notice, as do also Parrots and other birds. Graphic descriptions 

 are given of the scenery and vegetation, mention being made of the 

 more interesting plants met with. In the introductory chapter the 

 author writes on the lost Tasmanian aborigines, their character, and 

 the causes of their extinction, etc. ; and discusses the vexed question 

 of their origin. In his final chapter he treats of geographical dis- 

 tribution of animals and plants, with special reference to the survival 

 of the ancient types to be found in Tasmania and Australia. The 

 book affords a most interesting and welcome sketch of the natural 

 history of a remote but important part of our empire, as well as 

 contributing materially to our knowledge of its freshwater fauna. 

 It is well illustrated by plates reproduced from a series of excellent 

 photographs, and forms an attractive volume. G. G.-M. 



Die Termiten oder weissen Ameisen : eine biologische 

 Studie. By K, Escherich. (Leipzig : Dr. Werner Klinkhardt, 

 1909,) Price (sewn) 6 marks or (bound) 7 marks. 



It is impossible, in the space at our disposal, to do proper 

 justice to this well-written and beautifully illustrated account of the 

 White Ants or Termites. But we can cordially recommend it as worthy 

 of perusal. Written in an easy style of German and by an acknow- 

 ledged authority on the subject, it cannot fail to interest the lover of 

 Insects, especially when regard is had to the remarkable social and 

 building habits possessed by these creatures. The first chapter 

 gives a sketch of the various personalities found in a Termite 

 colony, and this is followed by accounts of their reproduction, nest- 

 building, feeding habits, the relations of White Ants to other members 

 of the animal kingdom (including man himself), and other fascinating 

 subjects. A very useful systematic summary of Termites is given in 

 the form of an appendix, while an additional section concludes the 

 volume with short supplementary paragraphs on various topics, with 



