184 George : Some British Earthmites. 



who obtained them at Heighington, near Lincoln. I sent this 

 mite to Mr. Soar, together with one or two of my old mounts, 

 from which he has made the very characteristic drawings 

 reproduced herewith. I think that few microscopic mounts 

 exist in England, as I have never heard of any one but Mr. 

 Michael and myself noting it. IVIr. Banks, of the United States 

 National Museum, does not mention it in his ' Treatise on the 

 Acarina or Mites, 1904.' The beauty of the mite could hardly 

 be shewn except by coloured drawings taken from the living 

 creature. I hope at no very distant date to send a mounted 

 specimen to the Hull Museum, where my other specimens are, 

 but as I am by no means an adept at mounting, it will not be 

 such as I could wish it to be, but will serve for examination 

 by any student of the Acari who is sufficiently interested in the 

 matter to take that trouble. Having been found in two dis- 

 tricts in Lincolnshire, no doubt it will be found elsewhere. 



I would strongly advise those interested to read Mr. 

 Michael's paper, which gives a minute description. It is 

 written in English, and is fairly accessible. 



How Sealskins are obtained, by Joseph CoIIinson, is a pamphlet sold 

 at twopence by the Animals' Friend Society, York House, Portugal Street,. 

 \\'.C. It is not pleasant reading. 



The Gardener and the Cook, by Lucy H, Yates. 260 pp., illustrations, 

 1912 (Constable), 3/6. 



This is a delightful book for the amateur — whether cook or gardener 

 — but for the professional of either calling of little value. There are books 

 innumerable on the flower garden, but very few on the kitchen garden ; 

 this one relates, with a strong vegetarian bias, the story of a poetical mis- 

 tress, who says ' let there be beans,' and there were beans ; an immaculate 

 Cook (one longs for a catastrophe to occur in her kitchen), who is of wonder- 

 ful culinary skill ; of a Gardener, one Charlemagne ; and last and least. 

 The Better Half — which by the way is a most objectionable term — the 

 husband, who appears to be just a comfortable mole who is fed when 

 necessary. Heaven forbid that many houses and gardens should be 

 run by two such immaculate persons as this cook and gardener. It is a 

 curious thing that amateur gardeners, especially amateur women gardeners, . 

 invariably appear to suffer from that irritating complaint — an excess of 

 superior theoretical knowledge. They alwa^^s triumph over the ordinary 

 being, who has only had practical experience ; the gardeners they portray 

 are generally crusty, ill-tempered old fellows, living solelv for the purpose 

 of growing cabbages. There is a sort of dining-room culture about this 

 book, in fact, it is full of hints as to the replenishing of the still-room 

 and is in reality a book of recipes. The fruits and vegetables grown in 

 this garden are those which a discerning man grows for his own eating, 

 and are unlike those recommended by gardening manuals as suitable to 

 be grown ' for market purposes.' The writer has a most aggravating 

 habit of using French phrases, than which nothing is more detestable, 

 especially when there is an English equivalent. ' Now that Spring's in 

 the world again,' it is refreshing to read of delectable and appetising salads ; 

 and we recommend its perusal to those sufleiing from loss of appetite,, 

 as after reading it one has a longing to taste some 01 the delightful-sounding 

 dishes, salads, and sauces, the secrets of which are revealed by the wonder- 

 ful Charlotte. The book is well printed, with some charming pen and ink 

 sketches. — F. 



Naturalist, 



