1886.] REVIEWS OF BOOKS. 711 



Keviews of ^ooks. 



THE Scottish Geogrcqiliical Mar/azine for March contains an interest- 

 ing paper by Colonel C. E. Stewart, C.B., C.M.G., CLE., giving 

 a graphic description of a visit made by the gallant colonel to the 

 Badghis in 1883, and to tlie Herat Valley in 1885. The paper 

 contains a good deal of personal incident and excellent description 

 of the condition of the countries traversed, and state of the tribes 

 inhabiting, both in their political and social aspects. 



The second paper in the Magazine is by Professor James Geikie, 

 LL.D., r.E.S., entitled " Mountains ; their Origin, Growtli, and 

 Decay." It is treated, as may be expected, by Mr. Geikie in 

 an able manner, yet in a popular and readable style that renders 

 the subject interesting to non-scientific readers. Some excellent 

 diagrams illustrating the paper add much to the interest, as they 

 render the understanding of the whole subject simple and complete. 

 An article on "Baffin Land," by "A. S. W.," will be of some 

 interest to readers of Arctic travel and exploration. The number 

 contains also the usual report of the " Proceedings of the Society " 

 for the month, along with copious and valuable " Geographical 

 Notes," and a list of newly-published maps, making altogether a full 

 and generally interesting number. 



Report of the Commissiodcr of Agriculture on the Division of Forest rg. 

 United States, America. 



THIS is a pamphlet embodying a report of the doings of the 

 Division of Forestry of the Agricultural Department of the 

 Government of the United States. The work of the division is that 

 of " ascertainino- the annual amount of consumption, importation, 

 and exportation of timber and other forest products ; the probable 

 supply for future wants; the means best adapted to the preservation 

 and renewal of forests ; the inliuence of forests upon climate, and 

 the measures that have been successfully applied in various countries 

 for the preservation and restoration or plantmg of forests." The 

 division has only limited means at its disposal to carry out this 

 compreliensive programme, but it seems to have made the most of it. 

 The report is divided into sections, some of them merely paragraphs, 

 dealing with the different subjects that have been investigated or 

 undertaken during the past year, and much interesting and practical 

 information is the result. 



Efforts have been made in recent years to establish trees on the 



