1902 The Field Naturalist's Library 231 



on winter evenings in the form of popular lectures on scientific subjects, 

 which can be easily understood by such mixed audiences as a clergyman 

 or a layman can gather together in a parish hall." As the layman who 

 is asked to undertake such a task is frequently a field naturalist, this 

 little book may be recommended as a useful guide on the subjects taken 

 up. These subjects are — Weather Forecasting, Vegetable Life, The 

 Record of the Rocks, The Story of a Common Stone, and in an 

 appendix The Preparation of Lantern-Slides. Of these, the section on 

 The Record of the Rocks is, in our opinion, by far the best, the matter 

 being excellently arranged for dealing with before a non-scientific 

 audience. As this is an English work, it is somewhat puzzling to 

 know why the author spells the name of the green colouring matter of 

 plants as " chloro/////." A very useful feature is the drawing of many 

 illustrations in outline, which could be reproduced on a blackboard, or 

 from which slides could be made. 



The Stars in Song and Legend. By Jermain G. Porter, Ph.D. 

 Boston and London : Ginn & Co. Price 2s. 

 In his preface Professor Porter says that he has " attempted to 

 present the legendary lore of the heavens in such a way as to attract 

 the unprofessional reader." By numerous poetical quotations he has 

 also " tried to show the intimate connection of the stars with the best 

 and highest in literature." It need only be said that in both directions 

 he has ably succeeded, the subject being presented in a most attractive 

 and non-technical manner, the explanatory illustrations being as good 

 as the text. 



Secrets of the Woods. By William J. Long. Boston and Lon- 

 don : Ginn & Co. Price 2s. 

 "Another chapter in the shy, wild life of the fields and woods." 

 Written evidently for juvenile American readers, who doubtless will 

 readily understand much that English children would be puzzled by. 

 Thus the book is dedicated to " Ch'Geegee-Lokh-Sis," whose coming 

 makes the winter glad, — a fact that readers this side the Atlantic may 

 be pardoned for not knowing. But there is much that is most enjoy- 

 able reading, even for our young lovers of animals, and the hints on 

 observing of wild animals in their natural habitats contain capital 

 advice. 



First Studies of Plant Life. By George Francis Atkinson, Ph.B. 

 Boston and London : Ginn & Co. Price 2s. 6d. 



If the current methods of teaching boys and girls in America are 

 accurately reflected in the series of books under notice, then we are 

 regretfully driven to conclude that we in this country are lamentably 

 behind our cousins. Nature study is at last taking its rightful place in 

 the education of this country to some extent, but we are afraid that it 

 still consists to a great degree "of pulling flowers to pieces and finding 

 their Latin names," solely with a view to accuracy of classification. 



It is indeed true that "the child cares very little about the forms of 



