Reviews and Book Notices 



117 



A Bibliography of the Dialect Literature of Cumberland and 

 Westmorland, and Lancashire North=of=the=Sands, by Archibald 



Sparke. Titus Wilson, Kendal. 49 pp. 



This is a list of more than local interest, and ]\Ir. Sparke has done well 

 to record the various works dealing with the folk lore of this interesting 

 part of the country. One hundred and fifty-eight items are enumerated, 

 and, in addition to appearing in alphabetical order under the names of the 

 authors, are also given chronologically. 



Gilbert White of Selborne, by W. H. Mullens. London: 

 Witherby & Co. 32 pp., 2/6 net. 



This pamphlet refers to Gilbert White, the village of Selborne, and the 

 well-known ' Natural History,' a facsimile of the title-page of the first 

 edition of which is given. There is a good bibliography, especial pains 

 Jiaving been taken with regard to the rarer editions. There are seven 

 plates, showing views of the Church, the ' Wakes,' White's tombstone, 

 etc. The pamphlet is well-produced, and at half-a-crown is not particu- 

 arly dear. 1 



The Vertebrate Fauna of North Wales, by H. Forrest. 



-London: Witherby & Co. 538 pp., 17/6 net. 



It is a long time since we have had the pleasure of seeing so valuable 

 a record of the natural history of a given area as that contained in Mr. 

 Forrest's volume. During the past seven years, v/ith the assistance of a 

 willing band of workers, a reliable record of the mammals, birds, reptiles, 

 amphibians, and fishes of the northern half of the Principality has been 

 compiled. This, from the thorough way in which it has been done, will be 

 of value for all time, and in view of the fact that much of the area was 

 practically unknown zoologically, the work becomes at once a welcome 

 addition to the serious literature bearing upon the fauna of Britain. This 

 has long been required, and will be most useful for purposes of comparison 

 with other parts of the British Isles. In view of the richness of the material, 

 and the well-defined area, it is a matter for surprise that such a volume was 

 not attempted years ago. 



In the account of the mammals, the author includes the evidences of 

 pre-historic species. In this section there is every proof of the thoroughness 

 of Mr. Forrest's methods — folk lore, place names, historical references, and 

 the actual remains of the animals found in caves all being enumerated. 



As might be expected, the notes on the birds occupy by far the greater 

 part of the volume, and with these the author is obviously quite at home. 

 In this section there have been, as usual, many more observations and 

 records made, and Mr. Forrest has been fortunate in having several interest- 

 ing sources of information to assist him. Pennant, who was born in Flint- 

 shire, in 1726, is an interesting chapter in himself, and appropriately enough 

 the frontispiece to the volume is a portrait of Pennant and a representation 

 of his residence. 



Amongst the amphibians we notice the extremely local Natterjack 

 Toad is present. 



Of fishes, a hundred and fifty-nine species are dealt with, this excep- 

 tionally large number being due to the sea-border, which explains the pres- 

 ence of a hundred and thirty-two. Amongst these are several interesting 

 records, and one or two which are doubtful. . A valuable feature is the 

 bibliography, which seems very complete. Another useful item is the 

 account of the ' Zoologists of North Wales.' This begins with Giraldus, 

 (1147-1218 ?), ends with Stivens, and includes the names of numerous well- 

 known workers. There are several appropriate illustrations, mostly 

 typical breeding haunts of the birds ; a good general index, an index of 

 specific scientific names ; and a useful map. The printing and paper are. 

 also good, though one could have wished for a better cover to the volume 

 In conclusion, we can re-echo the author's wish that a companion volum^ 

 may soon be produced dealing with South Wales. 



1908 March i. 



