Reviews ami Booiz Notices. 



383 



' We can contract the localities and plant-names as we like. 

 The botanist must, however, add all the frequency sig-ns at once 

 on the spot, or they will never be properly done.' Examples 

 are g-iven from the author's extensive Soil-Register. We must 

 confess to a certain amount of difficulty in following- the method 

 and in applying it so skilfully as the author does ; it is a case of 

 practice bringing perfection. The paper contains the nucleus of 

 what is bound to become an important branch of District Botany, 

 and should be read by all those who are interested in new develop- 

 ments of the subject. W. G. S. 



The Natural History of Some Common Animals. By O. H. 

 Latter, M.A. Cambridg-e University Press, 1904. Pages x, + 331. 



In this volume the author g-ives nine chapters dealing with the natural 

 history of those animals which usually serve as types of animal structure in 

 elementary courses of zoology. He has, however, confined his remarks to 

 such forms as can be observed without the aid of the microscope. The 

 subjects are varied, and include such items as Earthworms, Cra3^fish, 

 Cockroach, Freshwater Mussel, Snails and Slugs, Frogs, etc.. Amphibia, 

 internal parasites, Drag^onflies, and Wasps. The last two are included on 

 account of the interesting- nature of their life-histories — and partly to bring- 

 forward the phenomena of metamorphosis. The strong- point in the author's 

 work, however, is his endeavour to present each animal to the reader as 

 a living thing- — his long experience as a teacher of zoologv convincing him 

 that too much attention has been paid to structure, and too little to function. 

 The book is written in a clear and concise manner, and will prove of the 

 greatest service to students. It also contains numerous references to the 

 literature of the various subjects dealt with. The illustrations are numerous 

 and there is a verv good index. 







Our Country's Animals and How to Know Them. By W. J. 

 Gordon. Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co. Ltd. 6s. 



The animals referred to in the title include the mammals, reptiles, and 

 amphibians only, others being dealt with in separate volumes. There can 

 be no doubt that this little book is of the greatest service in identifyino^ the 

 various mammals, reptiles, and amphibians to be found in and around 

 Britain. The 33 coloured plates show the main external features of the 

 animals, though they are rather highly coloured. Further on in the book 

 will be found a large series of drawing's of skulls of the different mammals, 

 those of the Whales, etc., being particularly valuable and complete. Local 

 and popular names are g-iven, there is a useful glossary of terms used, and 

 a fair index. Whether in the hands of a young or old naturalist the book 

 will be found exceeding-ly useful and can be recommended. 



'The Annual Report and Transactions of the North Staffordshire Field 

 Club,' for 1903-4, has been issued, and contains a useful record of work. 

 The membership of the Society is 469. 



'The Ninth Quarterly Record of Additions to the Hull Museum' has 

 been issued (June, Publication No. 20, 40 pp., one penny). It is devoted 

 largely to rare china and antiquities, but has the following notes of natural 

 history interest: — 'A Tooth of a Bear from Bridling-ton,' 'Remains of the 

 Lion in East Yorkshire,' 'A Rare Crustacean,' 'Local Shells,' ' Spriiig; 

 Flowers,' and 'Local Wild Mammals.' 



1904 December i. 



