REVIEWS 165 



The plates by Lodge and Gronvold are in photogravure, and are the best 

 examples of this pleasing type of illustration that we can recall. 



A rather incomplete index is provided, W. R. 



A Naturalist in Himalaya. By R. W. G. Hingston, M.C, M.B., Fellow of 



the Royal Geographical and Zoological Societies; Captain, Indian 



Medical Service. [Pp. xii + 300, with 16 plates and several text 



figures.] (London : Witherby, 1920. Price 185. net.) 



In this dehghtful volume the author gives us some excellent pictures of 



insect and vertebrate life from an interesting and little-known corner of the 



world, the Himalayan Valley of Hazara. 



The greater part of the book is devoted to insects, and in dealing with 

 them and their ways our author is in his happiest mood. It is difficult to 

 conceive of a writer on this topic making his subject more real and living 

 than Captain Hingston has succeeded in doing. To the initiated the habits 

 of insects are always full of interest. By the man in the street they are 

 usually considered extremely dull. It is safe to say that the latter will derive 

 as much enjoyment from this volume as the most ardent entomologist. It 

 is more fascinating, and a great deal more wholesome, than many a present- 

 day novel. 



To the scientist A Naturalist in Himalaya will yield a vast amount of 

 fresh information. The observations on ants, termites, and spiders in par- 

 ticular are those of an enthusiastic and untiring observer and one who knows 

 his subject intimately. Some of the conclusions drawn are distinctly original 

 and are supported by the evidence of many laborious and ingenious experi- 

 ments. One striking fact continually brought out by the author is the 

 apparent lack of intelligence displayed by the organisms under observation. 

 The marvellous division of labour amongst the ants, the mathematical 

 precision of the geometrical spiders, the care of wasps for their eggs, and 

 many other seemingly intelligent actions, are born of instinctive routine, 

 not of intellect. The instinct cannot be thwarted, nor can the insect interrupt 

 its routine. It is incapable of rising to an emergency because its acts are 

 not intelligent. 



Numerous experiments were carried out to test the senses of the various 

 insects dealt with which have revealed some extremely interesting facts. 

 The light produced by the Glow-worm, the music of the Cicada, the weaving 

 of the geometrical web, the unimpeded passage of the spider over its own 

 sticky snare, were a few of the phenomena particularly investigated with 

 especial reference to the mechanisms that make them feasible. But the 

 volume is so full that it is impossible to attempt even an outline of its scope. 

 There is a single chapter on mammals and another on birds, the author 

 concluding with a geological sketch of the district involved. This portion 

 of the book includes a fine series of photographs in illustration of the section 

 deahng with emotional expression in the Leopard. An index is provided, 

 which would, however, be more valuable were it somewhat fuller. This is a 

 pity in a book otherwise, as is the custom of Messrs. Witherby, perfectly 

 produced. W. R. 



MISCELLANEOUS 



Geometrical Investigation of the Formation of Images in Optical Instruments, 

 Embodying the Results of Scientific Researches conducted in German 

 Optical Workshops. Edited by M. von Rohr. Translated by R. Kan- 

 THACK. [Pp. xxiii -f 612, with 133 text figures.] (London : Printed and 

 published for the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research 

 by His Majesty's Stationery Office, 1920. Price £2 5s. net.) 

 Soon after the establishment of a Committee of the Privy Council for Scientific 

 and Industrial Research, their attention was called by their Advisory Council, 



