Reviews and Book Notices. 47 



Nutcracker. Niicifraga caryocatactes Linn. Is a Very 

 rare species indeed. Mr. F. M. Burton saw one or more at 

 Laug^hton, 14th August 1900. (See 'Naturalist' 1900, pp. 319, 

 320). 



Jav. Garriihis glandarius \J\\\\\. Has never been common 

 in Bottesford parish, but at the present is perhaps commoner 

 than ever before, 1895. This year, 1900, they have increased 

 greatly. Mr. Young says: — ' Fairly common, few being killed 

 by keepers about Claxby. ' 



The Rational Almanac: Tracing the evolution of Modern Almanacs 

 from Ancient Ideas of Time and sug-gestingf Improvements. By Moses B. 

 Cotsworth. 474 pages. 5/- net. To be obtained from the author at 

 Acomb, York. 



In this work Mr. Cotsworth, who is already well known through his 

 wonderful series of Calculators, etc. , has brought together a mass of 

 information relative to the methods of measuring and recording Time, from 

 the earliest periods. His travels in various parts of the world have enabled 

 him to observe for himself the numerous monuments which have been 

 erected — such as the Pyramids — having a bearing on the subject. Several 

 of these have been photographed, and appear amongst the 180 illustrations. 

 Our author has sought the aid of astronomy, geology, and archaeology, and 

 UHdoubtedly some of the conclusions arrived at are well worthy of the con- 

 sideration of scientific men. To geologists Mr. Cotsworth's observations 

 on the shadows cast by the Great Pyramid are of especial interest, and 

 from a series of elaborate calculations Mr. Cotsworth concludes that when 

 the Pyramid was built the pole was evidently in a diflferent position from 

 what it is in to-day (as indicated on the map on page 214). The position of 

 the pole at that time has a bearing upon the position of the great terminal 

 moraines across Europe and America, and in this way our author gives 

 some evidence of the date of the Glacial period. The well known Devil's 

 Arrows near Borobridge are amongst other items dealt with. These Mr. 

 Cotsworth considers to have been erected for astronomical purposes. It is 

 mainly, however, with the Almanac of the future that Mr. Cotsworth is 

 concerned, and, briefly, his views are as vmder : — 



' Without disturbing the accepted Gregorian length of years now used, 

 the advantages of the Proposed Permanent Almanac could be easily 

 realised by three simple steps. (i.) From Christmas Day, 1916, cease 

 naming Christmas Day by any week-day name, and merely call it " Christ- 

 mas Day," which could thus be set apart as the extra yearly day, fitted into 

 the last week of the year as a duplicate Sunday to permanently combine the 

 week-end holiday with Christmas, and get rid of the troublesome and 

 unbusiness-like changing of week-day names for dates throughout future 

 years. By naming " Leap Day " as a public holiday without any week-day 

 name, justice would be done to salaried servants, whilst maintaining fixed 

 day names for each date. (2.) Let Easter, Whitsuntide, and the othe 

 movable Festivals be fixed (as Christmas is) to always fall on the fixed 

 dates to be arranged for 1916, or such other permanent dates as will suit 

 the convenience, welfare, and pleasure of the people. Easter, our longest 

 "open-air" public holiday, would be better for the Church and people if 

 celebrated in more ideal weather towards May. (3.) Divide the 52 weeks 

 of the year into thirteen months of^ weeks each for greater utility and business 

 facility by inserting a Mid-Summer month (Sol), between June and July.' 



There are doubtless many advantages in the Rational Almanac, but 

 whether Mr. Cotsworth will succeed in getting it adopted is another matter. 



1906 February i. 



