72



products of combustion seem to be condensed with the water

which collects in the tray, and there is neither smell, noise, nor

light from it. I think Mr. Abrahams also has a hygienic gas

stove on similar lines.



REVIEW.


LIVING ANIMALS*


This publication is probably well-known to our members,

the first volume, dealing with mammals, being now complete, and

the first number of the second volume just published. This

latter commences the birds, and deals with the Ostriches and their

allies, the Game birds and Pigeons.


This is an example of the development of the photographic

art as applied to the illustration of books, the half-tone illustra¬

tions being in many cases exceedingly good, and highly artistic

productions. It is, however, much to be regretted that amongst

so many beautiful pictures there should be some positively bad—

obviously photographs of wretchedly stuffed animals.


Part XIII. is the first that concerns us as aviculturists, and this

contains some photographic reproductions that are of high merit;

but here, too, there are one or two that would have been better

omitted. It appears to us to be a mistake to bring the domestic

breeds of poultry into prominence in a work of this kind, and if

a photograph of one of the wild Jungle Fowl had been given,

instead of five different pictures of domesticated varieties, this

would in our opinion have increased the value of the book.


The scientific names of the species are not given, and this

we consider a serious omission, even in a popular work of

this kind.


One ought to be able to perfectly depend upon the letterpress

of such a publication, but when we read that, with Pigeons, “ the

operation of feeding is performed by the parent thrusting its

beak into the mouth of its offspring (a) and ejecting therein the

secretion,” one’s faith is somewhat shaken. The work is wonder¬

fully moderate in price, and we must not expect too much for

our money ; after all, most of the illustrations are so exceedingly

good that they alone are very cheap at the price.



•Living Animals of the World; A Popular Natural History —London, HUTCHINSON AND

Co., Paternoster Row, 71!. per part.


(a) The italics are ours.— Ed.



