472 NATURAL SCIENCE. June, 
M. Falsan himself deals with the stratigraphical paleontology 
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 FuTuURE OF BRITISH AGRICULTURE; How farmers may best be benefited. By 
Professor Shelden. Small 8vo. Pp. 158. London: W.H. Allen & Co., 1893. 
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’”’ areruled 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 24 
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 BriT1isH Musrum (NATURAL HIsTOoRY). 
Vol. I. By G. A. Boulenger. London: Trustees of the British Museum, 1893. 
Price Ares, 
Tue first volume of this Catalogue comprises the families of Typhlo- 
pide, Glauconiide, Boide, Ilysiide, Uropeltida, Xenopeltide, and 
Colubrid# Aglyphe (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 (1890), only some slight changes having been made in 
the arrangement of the genera. The Boidz, 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 
