GLEANINGS 215 



Fishes and Fishing, and the Preservation of Marine Organisms 

 follow in succession, while a chapter is also furnished on "Whales, 

 Seals, and Sea-Serpents. " A final chapter on " Logs, Notes, and 

 Labels, etc.," and various useful concluding sections terminate the 

 volume, which altogether forms one of the most useful elementary 

 treatises on Marine Science that has ever been published. The 

 charts, eight in number, are excellent, the illustrations clear, and 

 the general get-up of the book all that could be desired. 



GLEANINGS. 



In the Naturalist for August (pp. 229-234) we note an interesting article by 

 T. Sheppard, F.G.S., on "Early Microscopes." The instruments described date 

 from about the year 1725 onwards, and the illustrations accompanying the article 

 give the reader a good idea of these quaint old appliances. 



In the Field of 22nd June (p. 1233) A. Ross expresses the opinion that the 

 Roe Deer is much scarcer in the Northern Highlands than it was a few years'ago. 

 He attributes this to the increase of afforestation, pointing out that as the animal 

 is very destructive to growing plantations it is shot down on certain estates in 

 large numbers. On the higher ground, and particularly in the birch-woods, it is 

 less disturbed, and is consequently there at its best. 



On p. 1218 of the Field (15th June 1912) it is recorded that an Inverness 

 taxidermist has recently mounted four Wild Cats of unusual size. They are all 

 Ross-shire specimens, having been secured at Applecross, Braemore, Achnashellach, 

 and Edderton respectively. 



In British Birds for August (pp. 74-78) appears a paper entitled " The Terek 

 Sandpiper in Kent." This is a new British Bird, and to the note recording its 

 occurrence (by Thomas Parkin) are added a description by H. F. Witherby and 

 an account of its distribution by F. C. R. Jourdain. Its scientific name is Terekia 

 cinerea. Two specimens (a male and a female) were obtained on 23rd May last, 

 at Brookland, Romney Mar?h. On the 24th another male and on the 25th another 

 female were obtained at the same place. 



We can cordially recommend to the notice of our readers Professor D Arcy W. 

 Thompson's discourse on (l The North Sea and its Fisheries." It was delivered at 

 the Royal Institution on 22nd March, and is reprinted in Nature of 8th August 

 (pp, 593-598). Written in the Professor's well-known picturesque and lucid style, 

 it is well worthy of perusal by anyone interested in the history of our fisheries, the 

 methods of fishing (on either a large or small scale), and the welfare of our fisher- 

 men. In this fascinating discourse the necessary statistics are made to tell their 

 story in a vivid fashion. Thus it is stated that Great Britain and the other five 



