512 
NATURE 
[Oct. 27, 1870 
NN 
gists will not ignore the facts because the conclusions seem 
improbable, as they so long ignored facts proving the 
antiquity of man for no other reason. 
A, R. WALLACE 
MODERN ANGLING 
The Modern Practical Angler. A complete Guide to Fly- 
Fishing, Bottom-Fishing, and Trolling. By H. Chol- 
mondeley-Pennell, Inspector of Fisheries. Llustrated 
by Fifty Engravings of Fish and Tackle, 16mo, pp. 286. 
(London : Fred. Warne and Co., 1870 ) 
O those readers of NATURE who are not acquainted 
with Mr. Pennell, the following quotation may serve 
as an introduction : “ Fishing has been in a special sense 
my mistress—the fairest and most loving wife—in many 
a wild and lonely spot where, but for her gentle compa- 
nionship and solace, I should have felt myself in every 
sense of the word alone ;” whilst those of us who have 
for some time had an acquaintance with his writings, know 
that in making this confession he is perfectly sincere, and 
that he is one of the most devoted disciples of Izaak 
Walton ; so that we cannot help wishing he were an 
“Inspector of Fisheries” (as he describes himself on the 
title-page), instead of being appointed by the Government 
to investigate the causes of failure and possibilities of 
improvement of our ayszer fisheries. His book has only 
a partial resemblance to Walton’s “ Complete Angler.” 
Those passages of pleasing simple eloquence, those fine 
sentiments, those virtuous precepts, in short, all those 
characteristics which have rendered Walton’s book im- 
mortal, must not be looked for in Mr. Pennell’s “Modern 
Angler.” To imitate Walton successfully, would, indeed, 
require a genius of no common order; and Mr. Pennell 
has contented himself with giving a mere manual of the 
piscatorial “ art” and “science” (we must not be too 
severe with enthusiasts about terms) ; and judging of it 
as such, we can sincerely say that it is the best and most 
useful handbook we have yet seen. 
The book is divided into four parts, treating minutely 
of tackle, fly-fishing, trolling or pike-fishing, and bottom- 
fishing. The author takes credit for several inventions 
or improvements. Thus, for instance, he describes or 
figures the “ Pennell-hook,” in which *‘the medium be- 
tween theoretical and practical requirements” is believed 
to be hit. We are glad to see him advocating a reduc- 
tion in the number of artificial flies used at present ; he 
proposes to substitute six typical flies, three for salmon 
and grilse, and three for trout, grayling, &c. We feel sure 
that these flies, together with those which are especially 
used at certain localities, will be quite sufficient for 
all purposes. Mr. Pennell has thought a great deal at 
the river-side ; he is never satisfied with simply describing 
what, according to his experience, has proved to be the 
most successful method or the deadliest instrument ; he 
always gives the reasons. Thus, in one of the chapters, we 
find expounded the “ true theory of trout-flies,” ina seconn 
the “ theory of salmon-flies,” and in a third, of white trout- 
flies ; however, we are afraid that in expounding theories he 
will not be more successful in convincing his readers than 
the majority of theorists. For instance, to the question, 
For waat does the salmon take the artificial fly? he gives 
the answer, “For its bzauty and tempting appearance; 
probably ithas an appetising effect.” Let Mr. Pennell 
once watch a prawn (one of the principal articles of food 
of salmon in the sea) swimming in jerks threugh the 
water, and he will at once perceive that by means of 
our rod we impart to the fly the peculiar motion of the 
prawn, whilst the iridescence of the real creature is repro- 
duced by the colours of the fly, which must vary according 
to the physical changes of the sky and water. No two 
things can be more unlike than a prawn and a dry artificial 
fly; no two things are more alike than aswimming prawn 
and that same fly in the water worked by a skilful hand. 
But we must conclude our notice of this book, welcome 
and useful to every class of anglers. It is illustrated by 
numerous well-executed woolcuts, which are more in- 
structive than the best descriptions, Lithographic plates 
of some of the more common freshwater fishes are evi- 
dently reproductions from the Azskerman's WVazazine, 
A. GUNTHER 
LETTERS TO THE EDIZOR 
[ The Editor does not hold himself responsible for opinions expressed 
by his Correspondents. No notice is taken of anonymous 
communications. | 
The Government and the Eclipse Expedition 
WE are now within two months of the date fixed by Nature, 
whose name you so worthily wear, for a total lclipse of the Sun, 
and it is not probable that she will postpone her appointment 
for a period sufficient to enable the joint committee of the Royal 
and Astronomical Societies to renew and succeed. in their en- 
deavour to teach the Government what such a phenomenon may, 
if duly observed, contribute to human knowledge. It may be 
taken for granted that no encouragement will be afforded by our 
thrilty rulers to an expedition of sixty-eight astronomers, pro- 
jected for the quixotic purpose of collecting intelligence not cal- 
culated to increase the revenue. ? 
This well-timed and praiseworthy frugality reminds me of some 
imputations which were, not long ago, cast at the Government 
by two eminent men of science, one of whom, the Astronomer 
Royal, lives to repent his injustice ; the other, the late Dr. W. 
A. Miller, alas! can speak no more, 
On the 31st March last, I read at a Society of Arts’ conference, 
by request of the Council, a paper on the subject of the Relations 
of the State to Science. A discusssion followed, in the course 
of which the Astronomer Royal remarked that “having had 
a somewhat long connection with the Government, he was quite 
competent to say that there had never been any unwilling- 
ness, as far as instances occurred to him, to promote liberally the 
purpose of speculative sciesce when brought before the Govern- 
ment, with a good cause shown, and upon the responsibility of 
some person in whom they placed confidence.” 
Heie Mir. Airy lays down, with his usual clearness, the condi- 
tions nece-sary to induce our Government to promote liberally 
speculative science, namely, ‘*a good cause shown, and on the 
responsibility of some person in whoin they placed confidence.” 
Our failure, then, to obtain aid on the occasion in question must 
have been due to one of three things—either a good cause was 
not shown, or the Government had no confidence in the persons 
showing it, or the Government differs considerably from Mr. 
Airy’s portrait of it. Who were the persons whose worthi- 
ness of confidence is thus doub:ful? The Astronomer Royal 
himself, the President of the Royal Society, and the President of 
the Astronomical Society ; and these untrustworthy beguilers of 
our too liberal guardians of the public purse were the accredited 
representatives of a select joint committee of the two first 
scientific societies in the kingdom. As to the goodness of the 
cause, that is to be inferred from the character, requirements, 
and position of the three personages above indicated, who had 
the presumption to advocate it. To these two causes it is 
evident that the failure is due, and not to any want of liberaliiy 
in statesmen, for whose readiness to promote speculative science 
Mr. Airy himself, one of the unsuccessful petitioners, has 
vouched. 
ee 
