October 9, 1885.] 



SCIENCE. 



307 



during some fifteen voyages along the south and 

 west coast of Africa. Tliis book would be supposed 

 from its full title to be a geographical or statisti- 

 cal work from a mihtary point of view. It does 

 indeed present facts of tliis character, but also 

 much more. Written in an easy and unassuming 

 style, the author has skilfully combined with an 

 account of the cliief geographical and economic 

 featm-es of the islands, a description of their at- 

 tractions, their pecuharities, their odd or extraordi- 

 nary inhabitants, and a great variety of extremely 

 amusing anecdotes. We believe those of our 

 readers who may be led by this notice to peruse it 

 will find themselves abundantly repaid. 



St. Helena is first described, rather briefly, as 

 already much written about ; then foUow Ascen- 

 sion, Fernando Po, the Isles de Los, St. Vincent, 

 San Antonio, Goree, Grand Canary, Teneriffe and 

 Madeira. Some information of a strictly veracious 

 character will also be found in regard to the miracu- 

 lous island of St. Brandan. 



One of the most singular spots is the Island of 

 Ascension, which belongs to the British Admiralty, 

 and is eni'oUed in the list of ships in commission 

 under the title of ' the tender to H. M. S. Flora.' 

 This originated in the fact that a vessel of that 

 name was once anchored off the island as a store- 

 ship, and part of the stores were kept on shore. 

 Naval discipline is maintained, but a few ladies, 

 wives of the ofiicers exiled to this barren spot, are 

 allowed to remain here, submitting to naval rou- 

 tine, which includes aU fights out by 10 P. m. 

 There is no water except intermittent coUection of 

 rain or dew, insufficient for the needs of the in- 

 habitants. Nothing can be cultivated, though a 

 few green things grow on the peak of one of the 

 higher hiUs and in some narrow ravines which 

 concentrate the scanty dews and showers. Sea 

 turtles and terns, locally known as * wide-awakes,' 

 are the sole edible productions. Cows are brought 

 there, and at first supply a smaU quantity of mfik, 

 which is reserved for the hospital. Should there 

 be a surplus it is sold, a beU being rung to an- 

 nounce the event, but nobody is aUowed to buy 

 more than one giU. After a time the mfik dries 

 up and the cow is turned into beef to save her from 

 starving to death. 



An American returning to England on the same 

 steamer with Major EUis, went ashore to look at 

 the island, and came near running against an 

 officer with flaxen whiskers, who suddenly issued 

 from a building. The officer raised his eye-glass, 

 looked at the stranger with astonishment, and be- 

 fore the latter could apologize, caUed out : '' Sim- 

 mons !" A bearded seaman responding, " Ay, ay. 



West African Islands. By Major A. B. Ellis. London, 

 Chapman & Hall, 1885. 8+352 p., 8°. 



sir," appeared upon the scene. The officer con- 

 tinued : " Simmons, do you know what this person 

 wants, or who he is?" " No, sir ; I can't say, I'm 

 sure, sir." The American began to explain : " Sir, 



I am a citizen of the United " when the naval 



man interrupted him and said : ' ' Simmons, do you 

 think he is a stowaway?" "Can't say, sir, I'm 

 sure," replied the imperturbable Simmons. "Is 

 there a merchant steamer at anchor there ?" " Yes, 

 sir. Cape mail, sir." " WeU, Simmons, just go to 

 the officer of the watch, and ask if he has given 

 permission to any person to board us. And, er — , 

 see what this person wants." The American, now 



very angry, began again : " Sir, I am " when 



he was again interrupted by the officer : ' ' Sim- 

 mons, I am engaged now. I cannot see this per- 

 son. Perhaps you had better take him to the 

 officer of the watch." And he went off before all 

 the terrors of the United States could be launched 

 upon his head ; whUe the seaman, grinning re- 

 spectfuUy, when his superior's back was turned, 

 conducted the irate Yankee to the officer at 

 the landing place, with whom he had but just 

 come ashore. Sociable fellows, our British cousins, 

 even on a desert island ! 



EDWARDS'S BUTTERFLIES OF NORTH 

 AMERICA. 



The perseverance with which Mr. W. H. 

 Edwards has continued his study of the butterffies 

 of this country, and the liberality with wMch he 

 has illustrated their various forms, ever since he 

 first began the task, are worthy of all praise. The 

 completion of his second series furnishes occasion 

 to draw attention to its excellence. Wlien Mr. 

 Edwards first advertised, in 1868, that he would 

 attempt a complete work, ^vith ample iUusti'ations, 

 on the butterfiies of North America, he probably 

 Httle understood the nature of the task before Mm, 

 or foresaw into what fields his work would carry 

 him. Notwithstanding ah he has accomplished, 

 the horizon, broadening with his work is as distant 

 as at the start. At first his iconography was 

 almost exclusively given up to the mere descrip- 

 tion of species, with no attempt to illustrate any- 

 thing but the perfect insect. Indeed, the work 

 proceeded for nearly three years before the ffi*st 

 iUustration was given of the earlier stages of a 

 single butterfly. Since that time but a single 

 number has appeared which did not contain one 



The butterflies of North America. By William H. Ed- 

 wards. Second series. Boston, Houghton, Mifflin cfr Co., 

 1874-1884. [445 p., 51 pL] 4°. 



