292 



Reviews and Book Notices. 



WHAT'S IN A NAME? 

 A somewhat extraordinary instance of the naming- of a new- 

 species occurs in the ' Annual Report of the North Staffordshire 

 Field Club for 1904-5' (Vol. 39). Sir Thomas Wardle figures 

 and describes a new ' Fossil Fern from Butterton. ' This speci- 

 men, which was 'simultaneously observed' by Mr. Howe and 

 himself, occurred in a bed of black shale in the Pendleside 

 Series. Sir Thomas then proceeds to give his reasons for con- 

 sidering the plant to be a new species : ' Let me try to establish 

 my case ; but is it not natural that the wish should be father to 

 the thoug-ht and awaken old temptations to honour our own 

 neighbourhood? ... I have therefore decided to name it 

 Adiantiies Wardlei Howe ! ' That is to say, as a result of Sir 

 Thomas Wardle's naming the species, Mr. Howe gets the credit 

 of naming it after Sir Thomas. If it should not be a new species 

 at all, where will Howe come in ? 



The Preservation of Antiquities : a Handbook for Curators. 

 By Dr. F. Rathgen. Translated by Drs. Q. A. and H. A. Auden. 



Cambridg^e University Press. Price 4s. 6d. net. 



In this little book the author collects tog-ether the various plans adopted 

 for the preservation and restoration of antiquities, whether of metal, g-lass, 

 stone, or earthenware. How frequently it has happened that valuable 

 relics have slowly but surely wasted and become entirely lost in con- 

 sequence of the owners not knowing- how to preserve them. This is 

 particularly the case with iron objects. The present work shows how this 

 may be prevented. The author first reviews the various causes of destruc- 

 tion, and naturally some little chemical knowledge is necessary in following- 

 this part. The methods of preservation, however, are dealt with in simpler 

 language. Some of these appear to be rather elaborate, though in view of 

 the necessity of preserving, once and for all time, objects of historic 

 interest, it is essential that the very best means should be adopted. 

 Photo illustrations are given, showing various objects in bronze, iron, clay, 

 etc., before and after treatment. Some of these are from the 'Danes'' 

 Graves near Driffield, York, and other places. Diagrams are also given 

 illustrating the methods of preparation of the objects. The translators 

 have certainly earned our gratitude for placing this useful work in a handy 

 form for English readers. 



Wasps Social and Solitary. By Q. W. and E. Q. Peckham. 



A. Constable & Co. London. 6s. net. 



This volume is one of the most instructive and entertaining that we 

 have read recently. It contains thirteen chapters, all being- written in such 

 a charming manner, and at the same time so obviously based upon actual 

 observation, that no one perusing them can fail to obtain some useful 

 information. Part of the matter was published some 3-ears ag-o by the 

 Wisconsin Biological Survey, under the title of ' Instincts and Habits of 

 Solitary Wasps.' These chapters, however, have been revised and added 

 to, and contain the results of further researches. The volume is profusely 

 illustrated, and whilst we can especially recommend it to younger readers, 

 it can certainly be read with pleasure and profit by more experienced 

 naturalists. We heartily congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Peckham on their 

 delightful book. 



Naturalist, 



