Reviews and Book Notices. 



367 



dispersal mechanisms — which form the ' pioneer vegetation,' and lead on 

 to and prepare the way for a ' richer soil — humus,' in which the higher 

 plants become more and more prominent. A suggestive chapter on ' Soil- 

 gatherers and Soil-binders,' in which more examples might usefully have 

 been given, paves the way for the consideration of ' Succession,' of which 

 three transitional stages are recognised which result eventually in a closed 

 association of hair-grass, bracken, blue-bell and soft grass, %\ith a canopy 

 of oak, birch and sycamore, found in the oldest quarries. ' So is the vege- 

 tation gaining upon our own local raw stones ; multitudes of germs have 

 perished, but the work goes on. The kindly green clothing, from stain of 

 alga or moss protonema to deep verdant shade of woodland gradually 

 envelops all. Individuals live, struggle, and die, but Nature sees to it 

 that the mass of life gains all the time,' and we can well believe the author 

 found his work ' intensely interesting — as is all field work.' 



The photographs, which are very* numerous, are excellent. The map is 

 clear and of a suitable scale, and there are some interesting sketches of ling, 

 showing variation in growth among the quarries ; the sections of the leaves, 

 however, are inaccurate. 



The reprint before us is consecutively paged, but the reference numbers 

 in the text are to the pages in the journal in which the papers appeared. 

 In such cases it would be better to retain the original page numbers, and 

 if desired, separate numbers could be added at the bottom of each page. 

 These, however, are minor points. Mr. Margerison is to be congratulated 

 on having done an excellent piece of work. 



Before Adam, b\ Jack London. S. Werner Laurie. 308 pp. 



The author of this boolN has dreamed dreams. He is a freak of heredit^■ ; 

 at any rate, he sa}-s so. And he tells us of all the wierd things he did 

 when he was on the world once before. ' \Mth the doing away of one wiie 

 Red-Eve proceeded to get another. He decided upon the Singing One. 

 She was the granddaughter of old ^larrow Bone, and the daughter of tlie 

 Hairless One. She was a > oung thing, greatly given to singing at the mouth 

 of her ca\ e m the twilight, and she had but recently mated with Crooked 

 Leg.' And so on. They fought. Rcd-Eye e\identl\- got the Singing 

 One, and the author doesn't know how many wi\ es since ! Then there was 

 Lop Ear, I>ong Li]'), Swift One and Chatterer. But though thev were all 

 in the trees and scratched themselves, etc., their narratives do not seem 

 to possess that interest that the author has been able to impart unto other 

 of his writings. 



British Mountaineering, by C. E. Benson. London : George Rout- 

 ledge. 1909, 224 pp., 5 - 



The atithor of this work is e\'idently an enthusiast, and appears to be 

 at home in ' chimneying,' ' scrambling,' ' rambling,' ' bouldering,' etc. 

 The results of his experiences are here given for the benefit of those who 

 dare to follow in his footsteps — and the number of such ' ramblers ' seems 

 to be on the increase. He also gives advice as to the kind of corkscrew, 

 boots and nails, compasses, maps, screws, etc., to be used, and even gives 

 details of ladies' wearing apparel necessary on such occasions. Remedies 

 are also given for frost-bite, cuts, haemorrhage, broken arms, legs, ribs^ 

 etc. ; for fracture of the skull, and internal injuries. There is a special 

 chapter on the dangers of mountaineering, and in every way the author is 

 enthusiastic in the cause of this healthy exercise. There are several 

 photographic illustrations of ' face climbs,' ' difificult cracks,' ' tough bits,' 

 ' chimneys,' etc., from which it would appear that the author has been 

 successful in securing snap-shots of enthusiasts in absurd positions in 

 exceedingly dangerous situations. Possibly it is to their credit. Anyway 

 we strongly recommend the book to any who are thinking of spending a 

 holiday in trying to break their necks in scaling difficult rock faces. 



The Greatest Life, by Gerald Leighton, London: Duckworth & Co. 

 275 PP-, 5/- net. 



In this work we find Dr. Leighton away from his snakes and lizards, 

 1909 Oct. I. 



