326 



SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



NOTICES BY JOHN T. CARRINGION. 



Natural History (Vertebrates) of the British Islands. 

 By F. G. Aflalo, F.R.G S., F.Z.S. 498 pp. 8vo, 

 with 4 plates, 70 illustrations in the text, and a 

 map. (Edinburgh and London: William Blackwood 

 and Sons, 1S98.) 6s. net. 



The full title of this work is " A Sketch of the 

 Natural History (Vertebrates) of the British 

 Islands, with a Concise Bibliography of Popular 



to be one of the most complete compilations of its 

 kind we have met with. In preparing the list 

 the author reiterates a common complaint that 

 when secretaries of natural history societies are 

 addressed with regard to the business of their 

 respective societies, many of them appear too 

 much occupied for outside correspondence. This 

 is much to be regretted for the benefit of the 

 societies, as some well-known clubs appear in this 

 list without any particulars as to their addresses 

 or times of meeting. As a whole we can recom- 

 mend this work, especially to the numerous public 

 libraries, schools and other places where such a 

 book of reference would be sure to receive appre- 

 ciation. The illustrations are effective, many 

 being by Mr. G. E. Lodge, which show a certain 

 originality of treatment, as will be observed in the 

 specimen here reproduced by the kind permission 

 of the publishers. 



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■ . •■ •_ 



Red Grouse. 

 From F. G. Aflato's " Sketch of the Natural History ( Vertebrates) of the British Islands." 



Works relating to the British Fauna, and a List of 

 the Natural History Societies in the United 

 Kingdom." The book is preceded by an intro- 

 duction occupying nineteen pages, and then 

 follows a short account of the 700 or so vertebrate 

 animals in detail, which is concisely written and 

 quite sufficient for the class of readers for 

 whom this work is intended. These particulars 

 are accompanied in each group by a scientifically 

 arranged list of the species, with the popular 

 names. The appendices will be found most useful, 

 the first containing a list of books upon the British 

 vertebrate fauna. They are arranged under 

 "General," "Mammals," "Birds," "Reptiles" and 

 " Fishes." This bibliography occupies eighteen 

 pages of closely printed titles. The second appen- 

 dix is a list of the natural history societies and 

 field clubs of the United Kingdom, which appears 



The Story of Life in the Seas. By S. J. Hickson, 

 D.Sc, F.R.S. 182 pp. small 8vo, with 48 illustra- 

 tions. (London : George Newnes, Ltd., 1S98.) is. 



This is one of the Newnes Library of Useful 

 Stories, and considering the short space at his 

 disposal, the author gives a good general idea of 

 the animal life found in the seas and oceans of the 

 earth. Of course, it is really a vast subject, and 

 one requiring many large volumes. Dr. Hickson, 

 however, touches only on its popular aspect, but 

 he makes it sufficiently scientific to justify its 

 appearance. This little work will doubtless 

 cause many of its readers to take more than a 

 superficial interest in some of the branches of 

 marine zoology, when they will go elsewhere for 

 more detailed instruction. This is a pleasant 

 addition to the series of useful little books in 

 this " Library." 



