404 
POPULAPt SCIENCE REVIEW. 
nevertheless the only system which can he followed in the present state of 
our knowledge. We note also that the present edition has been improved 
in various instances by additions from the recently edited works of Naumann, 
and in the more chemical department by emendations from the writings of 
Rammelsberg, in the formulae of various species. In regard to the chemical 
constitution of several of the minerals we could have wished to see many 
changes introduced ; but, in the present condition of chemical' science, we do 
not think that the author is so much to blame for adherence to the older views, 
especially as in most cases he has given the new formulae in addition to the 
older ones. The book is exceedingly well illustrated, a point, in om* 
opinion, of considerable importance ; for difficult as it may be for a tyro to 
recognise a species by reference to a drawing, it would be absolutely im- 
possible for him to do so were he to attempt it without the aid of illustra- 
tions. The introductory chapters appear, too, to give the beginner ample 
information with which he can, if he has any industry, study the subject 
satisfactorily. The descriptions of the different minerals appear well done, 
in but a few instances at all approaching error ; in one case, however, we 
think it does so — that of Andaludte, whose colour does not appear to be 
accurately given. 
HALF-HOURS IN THE GREEN LANES.* 
A BOOK which cannot fail to please the young, and from which many an 
older reader may gleali here and there facts of interest in the field of 
nature. Mr. Taylor has endeavoured to collect those facts which are 
to be recorded daily by an observant country gentleman with a taste for 
natural history ; and he has attempted to put them together in a clear and 
simple style, so that the young may not only acquire a love for the investi- 
gation of nature, but may also put up, by reading this little book, an im- 
portant store of knowledge. We think the author has succeeded in his 
object. He has made a very interesting little volume, not written above 
the heads of its readers as many of these books are, and he has taken 
care to have most of his natural history observations very accurately 
illustrated. If there is anything in the work which we might be inclined 
to object to, it is that tendency so common in all these works to convert a 
capital lesson into a little sermon. This exhibits itself very seldom indeed, 
and our only reason for noticing it is the decided love we have for the 
writer’s works. The book has so much that is excellent within its covers 
that it seems to us the author, in following in this too well beaten track, is 
deviating from his course without a necessity. These things are all very 
well in their way, but we think are not to be expected in general natural 
history books. We cannot do more than skim over the many capital sub- 
jects which the writer discusses for his little friends. The book is divided 
into ten chapters ; the first of these is upon a tarn side, and it gives us an 
almost poetical sketch of a picturesque country pond side \ then come the 
* ‘^Half-hours in the Green Lanes j ” a Book for a Country Stroll. By 
J. E. Taylor, F.L.S., F.G.S. London : Hai’dwicke, 1873, 
