BOOK REVIEWS. 
167 
BOOK REVIEWS, 
' Studies of Trees." By J. J. Levison, M.F. 8vo., 253 pp. 
(Wiley, New York : Chapman & Hall, London.) ys. net. 
For the beginner, this will be found a useful handbook which 
gives in brief and plain terms the structure, uses, and identification 
of the commoner North American trees. 
That the Weymouth or White Pine (Pinus Strobus) can be recog- 
nized by the branches running out at right angles to the stem, though 
true in certain cases, is certainly not so in all, and depends greatly 
on the situation in which the tree is growing, isolated specimens 
showing this characteristic to the greatest extent. In what respect 
the Austrian Pine approaches our native Scotch Pine is hard to see, 
unless that in each case there are two pins in a sheath. The dark 
shaggy foliage of the Austrian certainly does not resemble the refined 
blue of the Scotch. 
Some excellent advice is given in the chapter on pruning trees, 
particularly in reference to how sickly specimens are rejuvenated 
by removal of dead and dying wood. There is little new in " Tree 
Repairs," and we strongly dissent from the practice of boring a hole 
through the stem and branch that requires support. Properly made 
and adjusted iron bands and connecting rods are far preferable, and 
there is no reason why such should eat into the trunk if loosening 
screws and leather padding are used. Granted, that boring a hole 
into the living wood and so fastening the supporting rod is cheaper 
than when the iron band is employed, yet, whether from a physiological 
point of view or on the score of utility, the encircling band and jointed 
connecting rod have many advantages. 
In the chapter on the " Care of Trees," much information that 
will be useful, not only to the amateur, for whom the book is written, 
but also to the practical woodman, is given ; while the notes on the 
identification of various woods are sound and will greatly aid in the 
recognition of several of the American and other timbers. 
" The Book of Old Sundials and their Mottoes." With eight 
illustrations in colour by Alfred Rawlings and thirty-six drawings 
of some famous sundials. By Warrington Hogg. 8vo., 103 pp. 
(Foulis, London. 1916.) 35. 6d. net. 
There is a tendency to severity of tone or something akin to a 
Sunday sermon about most books which relate to sundials and their 
mottos ! This is no fault of the writers of these books, for it arises 
from their representing to us the home truths which we are confronted 
with, when, impelled by curiosity, we decipher the words that are 
