74 



SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



NOTICES BY JOHN T. CARRINGTON. 



Text-Book of Zoology. By J. E. V. Boas, 

 Lecturer in Zoology in the Royal College of 

 Agriculture, Copenhagen. Translated by J. AV. 

 Kirkaldy and E. C. Pollard, B.Sc. Lond. 576 pp. 

 royal 8vo, with 427 illustrations. (London : 

 Sampson, Low, Marston and Co., Limited, 1896.) 

 Price 2is. net. 



In preparing an English translation of Dr. Boas' 

 " Lehrbuch der Zoologie,' which has already 

 appeared in two Dutch and two German editions, 

 the translators have had in view the requirements 

 of beginners in the study. An important feature is 

 the fact that Dr. Boas founds his book and teaching 

 upon facts rather than theories. This is most useful 

 to students, because they can verify much of what he 

 says for themselves ; such experiments being of the 

 highest educational value. Having this is view, 

 the translators have replaced in the list of 

 more important animal forms mentioned in 

 the book, those which are chosen from the 

 European fauna not occurring in Britain, by other 

 animals found here. This will add greatly to the 

 value of the book for English readers. The literary 

 style of the translators is well suited to beginners, 

 as w-ell as older students, for the book is not over- 

 loaded with difficult scientific terms insufficiently 

 explained, the common fault with so many " text- 

 books." Embryology very properly forms the 

 basis of Dr. Boas's work, and he leads up from the 

 earlier stages of each class through the life-history 

 to classification, after giving a general description of 

 the animals. The figures are well chosen for 

 illustrating the text. They are generally fairly 

 well printed, though in some cases the detail is 

 lost in the liberal application of ink ; as for 

 instance, in figs. 44 and 223. This latest of text- 

 books on zoology, issued to English readers, may 

 be well recommended, and should be added to the 

 libraries of educational establishments generally. 



The Evolution of Bird-Song ; with Observations on 

 the influence of Heredity and Imitation. By Charles 

 A. WiTCHELL. 253 pp. Svo, illustrated by musical 

 renderings of some bird-songs. (London : Adam 

 and Charles Black, 1896.) Price 5s. 



This is one of the most thoughtfully written 

 books we have met with for some time past. It is 

 the work of a true observer of nature who lives 

 among his subjects. Neither has it been too 

 hastily written, for the author states that the 

 investigation of bird-song first secured his atten- 

 tion in 1881. As is usual in such cases, it was a 

 small circumstance which led in the first instance 

 to this study ; and in the result we have now before 

 us a remarkable work, well worthy of the attention 

 of the country lover as well as of the skilled 

 ornithologist. We do not go so far as to say that 

 we agree with every conclusion of the author, 

 especially in regard to quoted imitations of one 

 species of bird of the song of some other v.-idely 

 different one, both in species and in notes. While 

 agreeing that individual birds do vary very much 



in their song, we have never, as stated by the 

 author, heard a thrush weave into its song the 

 harsh " crake " of a corn-crake. In the case of the 

 song of sixteen thrushes Ivlr. Witchell claims to 

 have recognized an imitation of corn-crakes no less 

 than twenty-eight times. This instance is, of 

 course, an extreme case ; but in strongly recommend- 

 ing our readers to get this book and commence the 

 observation of bird-song in their country rambles, 

 we would warn them against too readily finding 

 sounds which seem to be adapted from the song of 

 very improbable birds. Birds, like other animals, 

 are exceedingly imitative, and doubtless do acquire 

 a strain of song peculiar to their environment by 

 copying certain notes of other birds common in 

 their district. Mr. Witchell has inaugurated a 

 study of animal economy which can be readily 

 followed by most intelligent persons ; and one 

 that will doubtless add much interest to country 

 walks, to say nothing of the friendly discussion 

 which is sure to be raised in consequence. 



The Scenery of Switzerland, and the Causes to which 

 it is due. By the Right Hon. Sir John Lubbock, 

 Bart., M.P., F.R.S., D.C.L., LL.D. xxix. and 473 

 pp. Svo, with 155 illustrations. (London and New 

 York: Macmillan and Co., Limited, 1896.) Price 

 6s. 



Even some of the immense number of people 

 who annually "do" Switzerland, or other portions 

 of the Continent, will find the perusual of this 

 work of Sir John Lubbock's add greatly to their 

 pleasure when passing through the Alpine regions. 

 Those who travel for travel's sake and education, 

 should take the book with them and compare what 

 is therein written with the surrounding scenery. 

 Then a new interest will be awakened within them, 

 and every mountain and valley will appear under 

 new vision. The wonder is that this book, or 

 one like it, had not years ago been written for the 

 use of Enghsh travellers. Sir John explains, with 

 the aid of numerous illustrations, the forces which 

 have combined to elevate the Alps, raise lakes high 

 above the sea-level and depress the gorges and vales, 

 also how the glaciers and perpetual snows influence 

 the physical geography of these regions. In fact, 

 how the earth came to assume such aspects as are 

 there exhibited. In showing how the sciences of 

 geology and meteorology account for the physical 

 appearance of the surface of the world, the author 

 writes so plainly that his work is as pleasant reading 

 as a story-book. Where it is really necessary to 

 use the language of science, the unfamiliar words 

 are explained in a short glossary, so that the book 

 is founded on the principle of geology, made easy 

 for lay readers. 



Ros Rosarum ex horto Poetariim : the Dew of the ever- 

 living Rose gathered from the Poets' Gardens of many 

 Lands. By E. V. B. Second edition. 222 pp. 

 Svo. (London: Elliot Stock, I S96.) 



It has seldom been our pleasure to handle a more 

 dainty book. It suggests a present for some fair 

 lady who will wrap it in silk and keep it in a lavender- 

 scented drawer. It is not the first of the Hon. 

 Eleanor Vere Boyle's books which we have had to 

 favourably notice. Her works have a delightfully 

 pure fragrance of old-fashioned gardens, with sunny 

 corners, where the perfume of flowers rests heavily 

 on still summer afternoons. This is no exception, 

 for in addition to nearly 200 pages of selected 

 quotations about roses — damask, musk, red or white 

 — there is an epistle to the reader which teems with 

 rose-lore. Now, ye who would please a lady, go 

 buy " Ros Rosarum " and give to her. 



