310 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 



Rambles of an Australian Naturalist. Written by Paul Fountain 

 from the Notes and Journals of Thomas Ward. John 

 Murray. 



The real author of this work is Mr. Ward, a Queensland 

 stock-farmer, and the numerous and excellent natural history 

 observations should, when referred to, be ascribed to his name. 

 Mr. Fountain has apparently been more than editor, and has 

 collated Mr. Ward's notes. It is necessary to make this clear, as 

 the book is a storehouse of field observations, and is certain to be 

 largely quoted. As regards the general physiography of Australia, 

 we know of no other book that in an incidental manner gives us 

 such an impression of Australian scenery — drear, and otherwise. 

 And man is changing the scene ; the giant eucalyptus trees are 

 gradually being destroyed for his use ; the aborigines — " the 

 native black fellow " — is doomed " by the immutable laws of 

 progress, which knowledge and science may help on to the 

 coming and ameliorate to the going, but cannot stop or alter" ; 

 the agriculturist is modifying the fauna and flora; " in all the 

 settled parts of Australia are many spots, sometimes entire 

 estates, that might, if superficial appearances only are con- 

 sidered, have been cut out of an English county and bodily 

 transplanted hither. Everything, from the house in its patch 

 of hawthorn-planted park to the gooseberry bushes and gilli- 

 flowers in the garden, is English. The horses, the dogs, the 

 ducks, geese, and fowls, are all of British origin, if not of British 

 breed," &c. 



Mr. Ward has well observed the Termites and the growth of 

 the giant " ant-hills " in Australia. By constant watching he 

 has "perceived that small hills are thrown up comparatively 

 more quickly than they are afterwards increased in size. In the 

 first year they maybe brought up to a foot in height ; at the end 

 of seven years it is a good hill that is three feet high. After that 



