433 
NEW NATURAL HISTORY BOOKS. 
An extraordinarily cheap shilling’s-worth, neatly bound in blue cloth» 
is Dr. P. Chalmers Mitchell’s book on ‘ Thomas Henry Huxley : a sketch 
of his life and work.’ (Methuen & Co., 276 pp.). It is based upon the 
work issued in rgot by Messrs. Putnam & Sons in their ‘ Leaders of Science 
Series.’ It is a fascinating account of the life work of a charming per- 
sonality, and should be carefully read by every naturalist—particularly if 
young. 
Science from an Easy Chair: A Second Series, by Sir Ray Lankester, 
K.C.B., F.R.S. London: Adlard and Son, 1913, 412 pp., 6s. 6d. net. 
This is a collection of articles on miscellaneous scientific subjects, which 
originally appeared in The Daily Telegraph. The subjects vary and in- 
clude notes on the edelweiss, elephants, glaciers, fern seeds, smells and 
perfumes, fatherless frogs, laughter, prehistoric petticoats, museums, 
whales, kisses, etc. There are fifty-five illustrations. 
The Ocean. A general account of the science of the sea, by Sir John 
Murray, K.C.B., F.R.S., ete. London: I913, pp. 256,°1s. net. Messrs. 
Williams and Norgate are certainly to be congratulated upon securing 
this valuable addition to their Home University Library. Who, better 
than Sir John Murray, could tell us of the Ocean, its waters, depths, cir- 
culation, temperatures, animal and plant life, floor deposits, CC ea ho 
attempt to criticise the book would be impudence. It is illustrated by 
plates, many coloured, and is a marvellously cheap shillingsworth. 
In the Lap of the Lammermoors, by William M’Conachie. Edinburgi : 
W. Blackwood, pp. xii. + 315, 5s. net. This volume consists of a series 
of charming essays, written by a devout student of nature. He describes 
the border parish, the golden glen, the ruin on the hill, nature’s garden, etc., 
the title of the book defining the area he deals with. The chapters, many 
of which have previously appeared in The Scotsman, seem to convey the 
freshness of the moors, the burns, and the hills. The author has acted 
very wisely in bringing his essays together in this form. We. have thor- 
oughly enjoyed them. 
The Infaney of Animals. By W. P. Pyeraft. London: Hutchinson 
and Co., pp. xiv.+272, 6s. net. In this remarkable volume Mr. Pycraft 
deals with an aspect of animal life which is too often neglected. But to the 
student of evolution few books have appeared in recent years which are 
so full of interesting, and, in many cases, unexpected facts bearing upon that 
great doctrine. In his studies of the early stages of the various and 
numerous animals with which he deals, Mr. Pycraft shows over and over 
again how, in their young stages, mammals, birds, reptiles and fishes 
seem to live their past geological history over again. The book is written 
in a style that can be appreciated by anyone, peecanee or beginner, and 
we can thoroughly recommend it. 
Notes on the Natural History of Common British Animals and some of 
their foreign relations. Vertebrates. Kate M. Hall. London: Adlard 
and Son, 1913, pp. xii.+289, 3s. 6d. net. In her well-known charming 
style, Miss Hall gives a fascinating account of the various British mammals 
and their relatives. The chief chapters refer to cats, dogs, bears, whales, 
hedgehogs, squirrels, pigs, horses, etc., etc. With regard to the song 
‘ Pop goes the weasel,’ which is referred to in one chapter, two explanations 
are given, (1) that the ‘ weasel’ was a name given to purses, then made of 
weasel skins formerly thought to be particularly lucky, and (2) ‘ pop’ 
means to pawn, and a “weasel ’ was a flat-iron—the last household article 
to be parted with for necessities or extravagances. There are many 
diagrams and illustrations from photographs. The word ‘mammals’ 
in place of ‘animals’ in the title would better describe the nature of the 
book. 
1913 Dec. 1. 
