472 NATURAL SCIENCE. June. 



M. Falsan himself deals with the stratigraphical palaeontology 

 and the ancient fauna in Chapter IV., and in the succeeding chapter 

 with the modern vertebrate zoology; while Chapter VI., devoted to 

 the insects and molluscs, is the work of MM. C. Rey, C. Chantre, 

 Falsan, and Locard. The Marquis de Saporta, in the next chapter, tells 

 of the appearance of man in the Alps, his origin, and early immigra- 

 tions, and traces his history upwards through the various ages to 

 historic times, and finally, in the last, with the aid of M. Charles de 

 Ribbe, gives an interesting historic account of his yearly transmigration 

 with his flocks and herds, its disastrous effects, the efforts to 

 combat the evil, dating from the Middle Ages, and the results of 

 modern legislation. The illustrations are generally good, some of the 

 fishes (by Leblanc) extremely so, and the publishers are to be con- 

 gratulated on this valuable addition to their Contemporary Science 

 Library. 



The Future of British Agriculture ; How farmers may best be benefited. By 

 Professor Sheldon. Small Svo. Pp. 158. London: W. H, Allen & Co., 1S93. 

 Price 2S. 6d. 



In a series of eight chapters the author discusses some points of very 

 vital interest to the farmer and the nation at large. The answer to 

 the query "Will grain raising pay ? " depends on whether the farmer 

 can form a sufficiently powerful and intelligent combination to secure 

 a fair arrangement in the relation of landlord and tenant. Protection 

 "and that new economic craze 'Bi-metallism'" are ruled out of court. 

 To place a duty on food imports would merely subsidise farming in- 

 terests to the detriment of the rest of our industries. If we protect 

 any we must protect all, and then we shall be no more forward. 

 Once we were a wheat-exporting people, but since 1868 the acreage 

 of wheat growth has fallen from nearly 4 millions to less than 2i 

 millions in 1892. Canada, with its scores of millions of acres in the 

 north-west and a favourable climate, will be the chief wheat-exporting 

 country of the future, while mixed farming, stock, grass, grain, root, 

 and green crops will be our mainstay. 



One chapter is devoted to " the Beef of the future," another to 

 " our breeds of sheep and how to mend them," and three to dairy 

 farming, all of which contain valuable hints. Professor Sheldon 

 speaks with authority, his book is well written, and promises to bring 

 those who will read it more in touch with the agriculturist, his ways, 

 and his difficulties. 



Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). 

 Vol. I. By G. A. Boulenger. London ; Trustees of the British Museum, 1893. 

 Price £1 IS. 



The first volume of this Catalogue comprises the families of Typhlo- 

 pidae, Glauconiidae, Boidae, Ilysiidae, Uropeltidae, Xenopeltidae, and 

 Colubridae; Aglyphac (part), and contains descriptions of 523 species. 

 The classification adopted is nearly similar to that formulated by 

 Mr. Boulenger in his earlier work on the Reptilia and Batrachia of 

 British India (i8go), only some slight changes having been made in 

 the arrangement of the genera. The Boidae, and more especially the 

 pythons, are regarded as the most primitive snakes ; and the un- 

 natural character of the old classification of the Ophidia into the 



