REVIEWS. 
245 
On “ Food.” By Edwin Lankester, M.D., F.R.S. Hardwicke. 
Dr Lankester’s Lectures on Food have an extensive circulation. This 
is not to be wondered at, for they are intended chiefly for the masses — the 
“ working classes,” as they are denominated . 
We affirm, without hesitation, and at the risk of incurring censure for 
“favouritism” towards a friend and correspondent, that this excellent 
little work should be carefully read by all sections of the community, 
by parents and children, teachers and taught. 
They may, perhaps, find here and there a little tautology, which the 
author would have done well to avoid, or, even in the hurry of “ preparing 
proof,” a little want of elegance in diction ; but Dr. Lankester is a “ working 
man ” himself, and his work, in this instance, has been to teach us concern- 
ing our daily food and luxuries, which he has done most efficiently. 
Not being a man of extreme opinions, he will be heard with respect by 
all ; and whilst we direct general attention to his work, as treating 
agreeably of the comforts of every-day life, tea, coffee, chocolate, spices, &c., 
we would more particularly recommend those chapters in which he deals 
with “ wine, spirits, alcohol, and tobacco,” to those very numerous fellow- 
countrymen who are either not aware of the injurious effects of over- 
indulgence in alcoholic liquors, or, being aware of them, have not sufficient 
self-control to resist their pernicious influences. 
Forest Creatures. By Charles Boner. Longmans. 
It is difficult to conceive of a tender-hearted sportsman. One cannot 
imagine that he who hunts a panting hare to death, or who can look on 
calmly whilst his dogs tear into pieces a trembling doe, is capable of 
feeling gentle motions. 
But if Mr. Boner feels as he writes, we are bound to conclude, that a 
sporting man does not necessarily possess a heart of stone, and that he may 
b? as susceptible of love and pity as his fellow-men.' 
Indeed, the feature by which, above all others, the work before us is 
characterized and rendered interesting, is the description of the love 
exhibited by forest creatures for their offspring. We shall extract 
an instance of this attachment, and the reader will obtain some idea of 
Mr. Boner’s style of writing. 
The first relates to the female of the Wild Boar ; the second to that of 
the Roebuck : — 
“ But generally the female parent fulfils her duties with true maternal 
care, and leads and watches over her offspring with tenderness and anxious 
love. Directly she hears one cry, she hastens to the spot. She calls them 
around her as a hen her chickens, if their safety seems threatened ; and 
when danger approaches, she sets off with her family scampering after, to 
lead them where they will be secure. She does not stop till there is no 
fear of pursuit. She leads the way, and hastens on with an occasional 
grunt, which many indicate displeasure at being disturbed, or an admonition 
to her family to keep close. When she stops, they stop, and are as still as 
she. Though such matters must be new to them, and they can know 
little or nothing of the necessity of caution, the young things stand and 
listen as though they understood all about it. But onwards their mother 
