KEYIEWS. 
71 
single insect. We say this because it forms, as it were, a sort of companion, 
and a very essential one, to any work on the general natural history of 
insects. But on everything that relates to all the peculiar habits and 
manners of the insect world there is no better book than that of Mr. Wood 
which we have thus briefly noticed. 
MARVELS OF POND LIFE.* 
T HERE are very few men whose position better qualifies them for a task 
like the present one than the eminent and active Secretary to the 
Royal Microscopical Society. But apart from this, Mr. Slack possesses a 
style as a writer which is at once clear, comprehensive, and to the point ; 
whilst his numerous researches upon the Protozoa and Rotifera constitute 
him an excellent authority on the subject he has taken up in this excellent 
little handbook, which we are glad to see is now in its second edition. The 
reader may be sure he will not find in Mr. Slack’s work anything that is 
erroneous ; while, on the other hand, he will be treated with the latest 
intelligence] on the subject that is treated upon; and, moreover, he will find 
that the writer states his opinions in clear and forcible language, about 
which it is impossible to have any doubt as to his meaning. In the pages 
of this little work, which is amply illustrated by the author’s wife — a 
lady who takes a more than common interest in the scientific teaching of 
the microscope — there is given a very full and fair account of the inhabitants 
of our ponds. But the reader must not imagine that he will not find the 
creatures described here in ponds of his own neighbourhood, for Mr. Slack 
has been careful to describe almost solely those forms which are universally 
abundant in all kinds of ponds. It is remarkable, too, that the author, besides 
describing and figuring minutely the several species of animals which he deals 
with, gives minute details as to the readiest method of capturing them and 
holding them in a living state during examination. The chapters are 
thirteen in number ; and, with one exception, each deals with a separate 
month’s investigation, so that the young naturalist can pursue his researches J 
all through the year. The woodcuts are numerous — especially those of the 
Hydra, which is generally depicted from the imagination — and very good ; 
and the plates, which are coloured, are seven in number, and to those who 
know what is seen under the microscope they are admirable and truth-like 
representations. Tout entier , the book is everything we could desire, so far 
as it extends, and we can only hope that Mr. Slack will add to it, and make 
it a much larger and more comprehensive volume. 
* “ Marvels of Pond Life; or a Year’s Microscopic Recreations among the 
Polyps, Infusoria, Rotifers, Water-bears, and Polyzoa.” By Henry J. Slack, 
F.G.S., Secretary to the Royal Microscopical Society. 2nd edition. 
London : Groombridge & Sons, 1871. 
