BOOK EEVIEWS. 



245 



power of rivers is well shown. The state of strain existing in the earth 

 is admirably illustrated by comparison with the modern rubber-cored 

 golf ball. 



An entirely novel view of the shape of the earth without its oceans is 

 described by the author as that of a pear-shaped body. This idea is very 

 cleverly worked out. In fact this contrasting with known common 

 occurrences and things to explain the unknown and in some cases difficult 

 theory is quite a feature of the book. This is done, too, without 

 straining. "The Effects of Weather upon the Earth's History," 

 "Records left by Rivers" as shown in the canons of the Colorado, 

 " Earthquakes, " "Volcanoes," " The Age of Reptiles," " Mammals " and 

 other extinct monsters, "The Ice Age " — these are some of the many 

 subjects dealt with. 



"Plants and their Ways: an Introduction to the Study of Botany 

 and Agricultural Science." By Ernest Evans. 8vo , 171 pp. (Dent, 

 London, 1908.) Is. id. 



This book, whilst containing some good features, is not in line with 

 modern methods. To introduce such terms as oosphere, embryo-sac, 

 nucellus, integuments, at such an early stage of the book as page 6 is 

 unfortunate. We think the structure of a flower studied at an early 

 stage should be limited to what is able to be seen with the naked eye, as 

 far as possible, then appeal to the lens, and finally to the microscope, 

 when the student is well advanced in botanical study. Technical terms, 

 too, should be reduced to a minimum, particularly as the book is " an 

 introduction to the study of botany." Again, to introduce the fern 

 plant and parasites into such a class of books is wholly unnecessary. 



On page 87 in too briefly noting " the work done by lime in the soil " 

 the following statement appears : — " The lime neutralizes any acid 

 which the soil may contain and sweetens it." This without any previous 

 mention of what "neutralizing an acid" means is a grave breach of 

 modern methods of approach. On page 15, under the head of " Practical 

 Work to ascertain what is Pollen," the diagram illustrating the pollen 

 grain, and further on those of a " Section through an Ovule," as well as 

 " the diagram showing the ovule after fertilization," require the use of a 

 microscope, and hence are unnecessary in an introductory work. We 

 should have liked to have seen the chapters on " Cultivated Plants and 

 Common Trees" and "Plant Societies" more fully treated. The book 

 seems to us to have been hastily produced in response to the great demand 

 for books on nature study, with which, to our mind, it has very little 

 in common. 



"Nature Rambles in London." By Kate M. Hall, F.L.S. (Hodder 

 & Stoughton, London, 1908.) 8s. Qd. net. 



The author introduces to us in a most interesting fashion Nature 

 in her seasonal dresses in London parks. Nature as she appears in plant 

 and animal life is charmingly described, and at the same time a large 

 amount of information is conveyed. 



The illustrations, which number nearly 100, are a great feature of the 

 book and admirably assist the text. 



