504 THE ZOOLOGIS!. 
Many of these chapters are extremely interesting. They are 
well illustrated, and, above all, possess the great merit of con- 
veying accurate information, which is more than can be said of 
many so-called “popular” books. We should like to notice some 
of the chapters in detail, but the limited space at our disposal 
prevents us from doing more than cordially recommending the 
volume to the notice of naturalists. 
Kindness to Animals: illustrated by Stories and Anecdotes: 
a Book for Home and School Reading. Post 8vo, pp. 21). 
London and Edinburgh: W. & R. Chambers. 1877. 
ALTHOUGH we have reason to believe that at the present day 
there is not so much reckless indifference to the sufferings of 
animals as formerly existed, there are nevertheless many persons 
who have little thought or regard for the pain which they cause 
or permit animals to endure. Horses are overworked and driven 
when lame; sheep and cattle are overdriven and left without water ; 
dogs are neglected and left to wander without food about the 
streets; cats are shut up in houses or tumed out of doors when 
families leave town for the autumn. These and many other cruelties 
are perpetrated, not always wantonly, or even intentionally, but 
for want of the exercise of a little thoughtful humanity. 
Thanks to the efforts of the Royal Society for the Prevention of 
Cruelty to Animals, the law now takes cognizance of all wilful acts 
of cruelty which are brought to its notice, and offenders are duly 
punished whenever they are convicted. 
But prevention is better than cure, and it is desirable to impress 
upon the young the duties incumbent upon them towards animals. 
Gentle treatment is usually rewarded by a return of affection; at 
the very least there is a satisfaction in seeing that the creatures 
dependent on us are happy. Even wild animals may be tamed, 
end will show their affection when treated with a kindly attention 
to their wants. 
To impress these truths upon the young is the object of the 
book before us; and the stories and anecdotes which the writer 
has collected aptly illustrate the views which we have briefly 
expressed. 
