222 EEVIEW FLOWERS : THEIR ORIGIN, ETC. 



bodiefs of insects. On the other hand, the pollen-graius of aneniophilous 

 plants are exceedinfjiy li^'ht, usually rouml or lenticular, ami expose as much 

 sui'face as possible to the force of the wind which blows them about. 

 Darwin has shown that in some instances the relationship between certain 

 insects and certain plants has been so narrowed that if the insects were 

 absent from any locality the plants necessarily would be absent also. . . . 

 Such a special connection between one group of the animal and one of the 

 vegetable world we affirm neeil not interfere with man's enjoyment of the 

 presence of either. It may operate as a check to his self-conceit to feel that 

 flowers have not been primarily intended for himsslf ; but, if his be a well- 

 regulated mind, the marvellous inter-relationship between insects and flowers 

 which science has thus brought to light will throw an additional halo of 

 poetic interest over these unconscious agents, which, acting through blind 

 instincts, have made the world more beautiful for those who can admire it." 

 (Pp. 13-21.) 



The chapters which follow relate to " The Geological Antiquity of 

 Flowers and Insects," " The Geographical Distribution of Flowers," 

 " The Structure of Flowering Plants," " Eelations between Flowers 

 and their Physical Surroundings," " Relations between Flowers and 

 the Wind," "The Colours of Flowers," "The External Shapes of 

 Flowers," " The Internal Shapes of Flowers," " The Perfumes of 

 Flowers," "Social Flowers," "Birds and Flowei's," and "The Natural 

 Defences of Flowering Plants." Exception will, we think, be taken 

 to some of Dr. Taylor's statements, and it would, perhaps, have been 

 prudent had he been a little less positive in places. The tone of the 

 book will make it acceptable to many who would probably be deterred 

 from considering the subjects dealt with if presented as they undoubtedly 

 would be by many modei-n botanists. The wide r-ange over which Dr. 

 Taylor travels will be gathered from the titles of the chapters quoted 

 above. In each he has managed to compress much interesting, and, 

 for those for whom the book is primarily intended, a good deal of novel 

 information. As a popular and well formulated statement of the results 

 won by the laborious researches of some of our foremost biologists, this 

 volume has an undoubted value which ought to ensure for it a large 

 circulation. There are many woodcuts and some coloured illustrations, 

 not a few of which will be found most useful in elucidating the text. 



Practical Taxidermy : A Manual of Instructioii to the Amateur in CoUccting, 

 Preserving, and Setting-up Natural History Specimens of all kinds. By 

 Montagu Bhowne. London: " Bazaar" Office, 32, Wellington Street, 

 Strand. Price 3s. 6d. 



In this practical manual by Mr. Montagu Browne, Naturalist, Birming- 

 ham, the amateur taxidermist will find clear, concise, detailed instruction 

 in " the art of prcpai-ing and preserving the skins of animals for 

 cabinets, so as to represent their natural appearances." 



The first chapter is of an exceedingly interesting character, giving in a 

 complete form the history of the rise and progress of the " Skin Art," as 

 Mr. Browne rather loosely translates it, and to coiTect which we have 

 above given Dr. Ogilvie's definition of Taxidermy in full. 



In the second chapter, which treats of trapping and decoying birds 

 and animals, we should prefer that the author should substitute the word 



