224 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
A GUIDE TO THE WESTERN ALPS.* 
T HOSE who delighted to read “ Peaks, Passes, and Glaciers,” will, as 
a matter of course, he pleased to learn that Mr. Ball has again come 
before the public in connection with his favourite subject. This time, 
however, his object is, not merely to excite a desire for Alpine travel, but 
to show the amateur in what manner he can best set about his moun- 
taineering excursion — how he is to conduct himself during his ascent of 
the Alpine peaks — and what he has to learn and observe. With Mr. Ball’s 
book (and it is a very portable volume) in his pocket, the traveller has 
nothing to fear. And we believe, if the question were asked, it would be 
more difficult to say what topics connected with mountaineering are left 
untouched, than what are not. It has never been our lot to find a volume 
which contained so much information in so small a space ; and yet the 
matter does not partake of that dry character which so frequently accom- 
panies condensation. Mr. Ball gives us a few hints as to the form of 
money to be used, and the method of getting English coins exchanged for 
foreign ones ; then he passes on to passports and custom-house regu- 
lations, till he brings us to the Alps. Next he has a word on the mode of 
travelling to be adopted in the Alps, speaks of chars , diligences , riding, &c., 
and supplies a list of names of the best known guides, with their addresses. 
The subject of inns is treated in full, and his advice to pedestrians is, we feel 
sure, excellent. Admirable essays on the zoology, geology, glaciers, and 
botany of the Alps, follow, and the first portion of the volume closes with 
a list of works on, and maps of, the Alps, which extends over eight or 
nine pages. The great bulk of the volume is absorbed by a detailed 
account of the different routes which may be pursued in travelling 
over the Maritime, Cottian, Dauphine, South Savoy, Graian, and Pen- 
nine Alps. This section is accompanied by several tinted maps, and is 
so diffuse that we fancy the omissions have been few indeed. Large 
geographical and geological maps are appended, thus rendering the entire 
work a welcome companion for the mountaineering tourist. 
OUR GARDEN FRIENDS AND FOES.f 
T O those who have not read Mr. Wood’s other works, this one may 
prove of interest. To us it savours very much of an old joint newly 
cooked, with just a sufficient addition of anecdotal condiments to make 
it somewhat palatable. To speak more freely, we look upon this volume 
as a compound, consisting of “ The Common Objects of the Country,” and 
certain other popular treatises of the same author, with a sprinkling of 
“Animal Traits and Characteristics,” just sufficient to make the whole 
* “A Guide to the Western Alps.” By John Ball, M.R.I.A., F.L.S., 
&c. With an Article on the “ Geology of the Alps,” by M. E. Desor. 
London : Longman & Co. 1863. 
t “ Our Garden Friends and Foes.” By the Rev. J. G. Wood, M.A., 
&c. London : Routledge & Co. 1864. 
