BOOK REVIEWS. 



85 



Breeding and the Mendelian Discovery." By A. D. Darbishire. 

 8vo. xii. + 282 pp. (Gassell, London, 1911.) 7s. 6d. net. 



This is a clear and accurate account of Mendel's work, and of some 

 done on similar lines, mainly with plants, since Mendel's paper was 

 discovered and published in our Journal. The text is made more clear 

 by several coloured plates and many black and white illustrations and 

 diagrams, and clear directions for the raising of hybrid peas, &c., are 

 given. 



"Irises." By W. Eickatson Dykes, M.A. 8vo. xiii. + 109 pp. 

 (Jack, London, 1912.) Is. 6d. net. 



Within the limits of a single genus there are few kinds of plants 

 that give flowers over such ,a long period as the species of Iris, and 

 fewer still if only the hardy species are admitted. The editor of the 

 "Present Day Gardening" series has therefore wisely included a 

 volume upon these beautiful plants, and his choice of an author could 

 certainly not have been bettered. 



No one has studied more thoroughly than Mr. Dykes the life and 

 habits of the Irises, and he has given in this popular book of the wealth 

 of his experience ,and erudition, so that we may look for a much 

 extended cultivation of the less well-known species. Everyone may 

 find plants to his taste, even those whose great desire is to overcome 

 the dislike of plants to garden conditions, for scarcely anyone has 

 succeeded in making the intractable Oncocyclus Irises respond kindly 

 to the treatment meted out to them. We can confidently recommend 

 this book as a well-written, well-printed and reliable guide to the 

 would-be Iris grower, and feel sure it will enthuse many with the love 

 of the Iris whose love has hitherto been but faint. 



Sever,al forms are illustrated by coloured plates, reproduced by 

 means of colour-photography ; but the colour-printing is less successful 

 in this volume than in several of its predecessors. There is scarcely 

 one of the plates faithful in colouring to the original. 



"Earthworms and their Allies." By F. E. Beddard, M.A., 

 F.E.S. 8vo. vii + 150 pp. (University Press, Cambridge, 1912.) 

 Is. net. 



An outline of the structure and life history of the earthworms 

 of the world, including their geographical distribution and distribution 

 according to habitat. 



"The Eegent's Park and Primrose Hill." By A. D. Webster. 

 8vo. 112 pp. (Greening, London, 1911.) 5s. net. 



Although much has been written about London and its open spaces 

 and parks, this work covers ground that has never been touched, and 

 Mr. Webster has added much interest to his book by placing before 

 his readers many antiquities of Old Marylebone Park, Barrow Hill, 

 and other places that should not be forgotten. The present Eegent's 

 Park was the old Marylebone Park, and, after the death of King 



