BOOK REVIEWS. 



105 



have met with in their rambles. The book is arranged on the plan 

 of a dichotomous key and renders it very easy, as a rule, to ascertain 

 the name of a plant found, by discovering from the plant in hand the 

 answers to the alternatives suggested by the key. A glossary is given 

 at the end of the book, and this is of great assistance to the beginner 

 unfamiliar with the terms used in descriptive botany, and the main 

 difficulty in using the key arises from some uncertainty as to the meanings 

 of such words as "much" and "very." Another difficulty arises from 

 the fact that the flora is not complete, but still the majority of plants 

 occurring wild in this country are included. 



The value of the book has been greatly increased by the addition of 

 illustrations, showing by means of clear line drawings details of plant- 

 structure. Short descriptions of the plants, with indications of their 

 comparative rarity, complete a very useful little book. 



" The Insect Book." By W. P. Westell, F.L.S. 8vo., 120 pp. (John 

 Lane, London, 1908.) 3s. net. 



A book written for those who have no knowledge of insects, and 

 dealing with the commoner insects of the garden, the waterside, the 

 woodland, the meadows, the house, and so on. It is written in a popular 

 vein, and will no doubt prove welcome to many whose interest in the 

 common things around them is beginning to awaken and lead them to 

 ask for more. The illustrations from photographs of insects are very well 

 done indeed. 



" A Plant Book for Schools : being an Easy Introduction to the 

 Study of Plant-life." By 0. V. Darbishire, B.A., Ph.D. 8vo., 168 pp. 

 (Black, London, 1908.) 2s. 6c7. 



In the preface we read : " This little book has been planned for 

 young children [aged ten, p. 57] who are being taught at school or 

 at home. ... It is really intended as much, if not more, for the 

 teachers of children." 



If children have got a teacher, then no books are required at all, as 

 the lesson resolves itself into practical examinations of the living plants 

 with a recording of everything they see, while little drawings should be 

 encouraged, and this appears to be what the writer insists upon. 



But there is the almost invariable omission of all reference to 

 ecology. The only allusion we can find resides in the words : " I 

 hope that some of the photographs at least will stimulate the readers 

 of the plant-book to go out into the country to see the plants in their 

 native homes." Here is a good opportunity lost ! e.g., pi. 1 (b) the 

 oak, showing undergrowth. A comparison should be made between 

 a beech [pi. 10 (b) ?] and fir-wood, where there is little or none, and the 

 reasons given. Plate 4 (b) and pi. 9 (c) of the ivy would well illustrate 

 competition for light and the struggle for existence. PI. 4 (a) illustrates 

 ivy- stems and roots, but something might have been said as to why the 

 roots of the "host " plant itself are all exposed, viz., by its own upheaval 

 and exposure by rain, &c. 



PI. 12 (c), Sandhills, would afford another lesson on maritime ecology. 

 With regard to the water-crowfoot the author makes a rather common 



