4 8 



SCIENCE- GOSSIP. 



A Monograph of the Land and Freshwater 

 Mollusca of the British Isles. Volume I. By John 

 W. Taylor, F.L.S. 454 pp., 10J in. x 6J in., 742 

 figures, vi. plates. (Leeds : Taylor Brothers. 

 1894-1900.) In 7 parts at 6s. 8d., or to subscribers 

 5s. each. 



The pleasure which the students of our non- 

 marine molluscs must feel upon the completion of 

 the first volume of this work can only be exceeded 

 by the delight they will experience when the second 

 half is as carefully worked out in detail. Mr. 

 Taylor estimated that four parts would give him 

 sufficient space in which to deal with the anatomy, 

 shell structure, general distribution, and other 

 features, which, as we have before said, should 

 rightly form the introduction to a modern book 

 dealing with malacology. This is especially the 

 case, as only too few of the collectors in this 

 country are serious students of the important 

 anatomical side of the subject. Every day we are 

 meeting with foreign land molluscs, at any rate, 

 which would be separated from their nearest rela- 

 tions if only the shell were considered. Mr. Taylor 

 has, however, taken up seven parts of his work in 

 his desire to deal with the subject thoroughly ; and 

 it is to be hoped that he will make up for trying 

 the patience of those who are anxious to see the 

 individual British species properly and well dealt 

 with, from a modern standpoint, by quickly giving 

 them the first instalment of what in a monograph 

 dealing with a local fauna should be the really 

 important contribution to science. We have 

 noticed each of the previous parts as they have 

 appeared. This last one is occupied with geo- 

 graphical distribution of non-marine forms through- 

 out the world. Distribution in time is also con- 

 sidered, and the lists of the land and freshwater 

 shells found fossil in the various formations in this 

 country are exceedingly interesting. Enemies, 

 parasites, and uses, complete the subject of " Con- 

 chology : Structural and General," and though by 

 no means occupying too much space serve to 

 direct attention to many biological and ethnological 

 considerations apt to be overlooked by the ordinary 

 student.— W. M. W. 



Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne. By 

 Gilbert White. Edited by L. C. Miall, F.R.S., 

 and W. Warde Fowler, M.A. xxxvi + 386 pp., 

 8 in. x 5| in. (London : Methuen & Co. 1901.) 

 6s. 



The original edition of the Rev. Gilbert White's 

 work published in 1789 is here reproduced, except- 

 ing certain Latin charters and deeds. Dr. Aikin's 

 extractions from White's diaries are also included, 

 but the naturalist's calendar, compiled by Aikin, 

 has been omitted, as the editors consider it of small 

 scientific value. There are a number of editorial 

 footnotes on the pages, which add greatly to the 

 value of this edition of White's Selborne, the notes 

 on birds being by Mr. Warde Fowler. To these are 

 added some notes by Bell and editors of former 



editions. From the naturalist's point of view this 

 edition is of considerable value, and White's ob- 

 servations are collated with modern scientific 

 knowledge. This latest issue of White's Selborne 

 is to be recommended, especially as its published 

 price places it within the reach of all our readers. 



Disease in Plants. By H. Marshall Ward, 

 Sc.D., F.R.S. xiv + 309 pp., 1\ in. x 5 in. (London 

 and New York: Macmillan & Co., 1901.) 7s. 6d. 



Dr. Marshall Ward, the well-known Professor of 

 Botany in the University of Cambridge, has recog- 

 nised that the ordinary farmer, forester, and 

 gardener does not want a highly technical book on 

 plant diseases, but rather one that will indicate 

 the cause and cure for the common " blights " 

 which affect the crops. What he needs is a guide, 

 written in simple language, that will lead him to 

 recognise and deal with any plant trouble. Having 

 this in view Professor Marshall Ward has written 

 a valuable treatise on the whole subject, which 

 will form a great help to growers of plants of all 

 kinds. With its aid loss may be saved and much 

 disappointment prevented. The author desires to 

 be consulted rather as a physician in the case than 

 as a pathologist ; otherwise, to suggest cures in- 

 stead of learnedly discoursing upon the disease. 

 Everyone interested in growing plants should obtain 

 this book. 



The Commonwealth of Cells. By H. G. F. 

 SPURRELL, B.A. vi+115 pp., 1\ in. x 5 in., with 

 67 diagrams. (London : Bailliere, Tindal & Cox, 

 1901.) 2s. 6d. 



The author's object in issuing this work has 

 been to present the fundamental principles of 

 physiology in a brief, consecutive, and readable 

 form for those who do not care to study the text- 

 books. It is liberally illustrated with effective 

 though somewhat coarsely drawn diagrams. It is 

 a handy little work, and will be useful to many 

 young peojsle who desire some information on the. 

 subject without troubling to obtain special in- 

 struction. 



Principles of Magnetism and Electricity. By 

 P. L. Gray, B.Sc xvi +235 pp., 1\ in. x 5 in., 

 with 181 illustrations. (London : Methuen & Co. 

 1901.) 3s. 6d. 



In writing this elementary text-book on mag- 

 netism and electricity, the author warns the 

 students against reading without practical work. 

 There are nowadays so few places where a physical 

 laboratory is not available,, that the author's warn- 

 ing may well be taken to heart. This book appears 

 to be a useful work of its kind. 



Cerebral Science. By Wallace Wood, M.D. 

 x + 128 pp., 7| in. x 4| in., with several illustra- 

 tions. (London : Balliere, Tindal & Cox. 1901.) 

 3s. 6d. net. 



The object of the work before us is, by means of 

 the study of comparative psychology, to found a 

 new practical science of " ethology." This, accord- 

 ing to the author, is to be defined as the study of 

 " how to regenerate man, how to make the new 

 body, the new brain, the new city, and how to 

 shape the new world." It is not stated whether 

 the " newness " is to be an improvement on present 

 arrangements ; but, presuming the development is 

 to be higher, we do not quite see in what manner 

 the study of the comparative psychology of the 

 lower vertebrates will bring about this result. 

 Some of the features of the book are of interest, 



