234 The Field Naturalist'' s Quai'terly Aug. 



reprints. The illustrations are particularly good, as one would expect 

 from such artists as R. B. Lodge, Charles Reid, and E. Seeley, the last 

 of whom gives some beautiful fish photographs. Field naturalists of 

 the Thames Valley will welcome this book. 



A Treatise on the Birds of Gloucestershire. By W. L, 

 Mellersh, M.A. London : R. H. Porter. Price 5s. 

 The object of this work is " to present the chief features of the life of 

 wild birds as specially connected with Gloucestershire." Books on 

 county fauna are very apt to consist merely of a descriptive catalogue 

 of the species found, but this reproach does not apply to Mr Mellersh's 

 volume, which is a scientific treatise on the ornithology of Gloucester- 

 shire. That is to say, the birds are discussed from the point of view 

 of the county, which is too often just what is not done. The county 

 is divided into districts according to the surface conditions, three land 

 areas, corresponding almost with the three geological divisions of the 

 county, and a fourth area — the Severn District. There is a complete 

 Glossary given of local names for birds, showing to what extent and 

 where the names are used, and an excellent Reference List and Index. 

 The illustrations are from reductions of original drawings by Mr Edward 

 Neale, and though in an unusual style, are very effective. Mr Mellersh's 

 book should be in the hands of all Gloucestershire ornithologists. In 

 any future edition we should advise that the map of the county be in- 

 serted as a single page, not a folding sheet, Folding maps in books are 

 apt to suffer mutilation, and this one is small enough to insert unfolded. 



A Handbook of British Butterflies. By J. R. Charnley, F.E.S. 

 London : Simpkin, ^Marshall, Hamilton, Kent, & Co. Price 6d. 

 This handbook "only pretends to furnish a few brief and elementary 

 notes on each species, and though not intended for the experienced 

 collector, will, it is hoped, prove useful as a pocket companion to the 

 young entomologist." Sixty-five species are noticed, the reputed species 

 being entirely omitted. The information given includes the distribution 

 and abundance of the species, the food-plants of the larva, the time of 

 appearance, and the favourite places of resort. One side of the pages is 

 left blank for notes, a useful feature for the collector. The handbook 

 should answer its purpose and prove useful. 



Agricultural Botany, Theoretical and Practical. By John Percival, 

 M.A. London : Duckworth & Co. Second Edition. Price 

 7s. 6d. net. 

 That a second edition of this work should be called for so soon after 

 its first appearance is the best possible proof that the book supplied a 

 want. And indeed it would be difficult to speak too highly of its value 

 to student, teacher, and practical agriculturist alike. In its 786 pages 

 the following" sections are dealt with in turn : General External Morpho- 

 logy, Internal Morphology, Physiology of Plants, Classification and 

 special Botany of Farm Crops, Weeds of the Farm, Farm Seeds, 

 Fungi (considered chiefly in relation to some common diseases of 



