NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 277 



American biological publications, lavishly illustrated, the figures 

 being entirely of an osseous character. But we still wish that the 

 author had, and we shall continue to hope that he will, in the light 

 of his strictures, publish a revision, and give evidence of the faith 

 that is within him. 



Our Country^ s Shells, and how to knoiv them ; a Guide to the British 

 Mollusca. By W. J. Gordon. Simpkin, Marshall & Co., Ltd. 

 Our country's shells and how to name them is really the aim 

 of this little book. A knowledge of the British Mollusca is 

 something quite distinct, being related to the animal, and not 

 only to his dwelling place. However, everything comes in time ; 

 first a collection of shells, and then a desire to know something 

 of their inhabitants. As an aid to recognize species, this com- 

 pilation by Mr. Gordon is admirable, and is the main end of a 

 profusely illustrated brochure. Few will probably read the 

 classificatory chapters, but Chapter V., in its introductory para- 

 graphs, has the charm of real natural history. " We grow in 

 knowledge as we grow in years " ; but oh to be a boy again, with 

 an inexpensive book like this in our pocket, and all the seashore 

 before us ! Thirty-three chromo-lithographic plates are said to 

 illustrate every British species. 



Taxidermy : comprising the Skinning, Stuffing, and Mounting of 

 Birds, Mammals, and Fish. Edited by Paul N. Hasluck. 

 Cassell and Company, Limited. 

 In his preface to this small and very inexpensive publication, 

 Mr. Hasluck informs us that " This Handbook contains, in a 

 form convenient for everyday use, a comprehensive digest of the 

 knowledge of Taxidermy, scattered over nearly twenty thousand 

 columns of ' Work,' a weekly journal, and that the information 

 was originally contributed by Mr. J. Fielding- Cottriil." It is 

 certainly one of the simplest little books on the subject which 

 we have seen, and the information is imparted in a concise and 

 easily understood way. It also contains a chapter on "Preserving, 

 Cleaning, and Dyeing Skins," and another on "Preserving Insects 

 and Birds' Eggs." One of the best injunctions in the work is — 

 " Beginners are advised not to purchase the ' boxes of bird- 

 stufl&ng tools ' as advertised, or they may find half of the tools 

 useless, and the other half unnecessary." 



