242 Notes and Comments. 
Dr. Peile’s ‘ History of Christ’s College,’ as follows :—“ Asa 
student in Cambridge he was possessed of an almost immoderate 
thirst for knowledge. His tutor, Rob. Gell, doubtful whether 
he were moved by vain-glory, questioned him one day as to 
the motive which prompted his eagerness. His answer was 
prompt and short, ‘ That I may know.’ ‘ But, young man,’ 
said Gell, ‘ what is the reason that you so earnestly desire to 
know things?’ To which he instantly returned, ‘I desire, I 
say, so earnestly to know, that I may know. There was no 
other answer ; knowledge was an end in itself.’”’ We do not 
wish to know the difference between one flowering plant, moss, 
alga, fungus, or another, for any of the above reasons; we 
‘desire to know, that we may know.’ And so it is with truly 
scientific men, in whatever branch of study. They desire to 
know, that they may know.—W. F. 
NEW SHILLING BOOKS. 
A very gratifying sign of the times is the way in which 
really important books on natural science are being published 
at the low price of one shilling each ; and almost invariably 
these are printed with good type, on good paper, and well and 
neatly bound in cloth ; and, in addition, they contain the work 
of our leading authorities. We have already referred to some 
of these books recently. On our table there are a number of 
others. 
TRAVELS ON THE AMAZON. 
A first place must be given to Dr. A. R. Wallace’s well- 
known classic, with the above title. The work was originally 
published over half a century ago, and the present is practi- 
cally a reprint, revised. There is no need to inform our readers 
of the enthralling interest of this story of a naturalist’s wander- 
ings, and its great bearing upon the theory of evolution. What 
we cannot understand is how Messrs. Ward, Lock & Co. can 
produce a volume of nearly 400 pages, with a strong and 
artistic cover, for a shilling. 
THE LORE OF LAE HONEY BEE: 
Some little time ago we were very favourably impressed 
with Mr. Tickner Edwardes’ volume, with the above title, 
which contained such a wealth of information in reference to 
the honey bee, and we were permitted to reproduce one of 
the many remarkable illustrations which there appeared. 
Though the book only made its appearance in 1908, it quickly 
ran into three editions, and now Messrs. Methuen have reprinted 
it at a shilling. With the exception of the illustrations, it 
appears to contain all that is in the original edition. 
Naturalist, 
