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POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
the first of these charges Mr. Brown does not, we think, wholly acquit the 
Capercaillie, although he argues strongly for its extenuation, urging especi- 
ally that much of the actual damage is probably done by squirrels and other 
destroyers; whilst he inclines to think that a great deal of apparent damage 
is due to the fact that many nurserymen seem to supply planters with an 
inferior race of seedlings, which could never under any circumstances make 
good trees. Of the second crime charged against the Wood Grouse, on the 
other hand, our author thinks he is not guilty ; and accounts for the undoubted 
decrease of the black game, which takes place in localities where no Caper- 
caillie has yet shown his beak, by changes in the condition of the ground 
brought about by drainage and other improvements. We cannot follow 
Mr. Brown further into this interesting question, but will conclude by re- 
commending all earnest ornithologists to buy his book and read it for them- 
selves. 
RECORDS OF SCIENCE.* 
TI E are glad to see that Mr. Spencer F. Baird continues, with the assist- 
’ ' ance — as he justly says — of eminent men of science, the publication of 
his excellent 11 Annual Record of Science and Industry.” The volume for 1878 
contains a useful summary of the progress of science during the year, care- 
fully classified under the various departments, and each section bearing at 
its head the name of a savant by whom, or under whose superintendence it 
has been prepared. As a matter of course, it cannot be expected that every 
published scientific paper or work can be referred to in a summary extending 
only to about 620 small octavo pages ; but, so far as the writer can judge 
from an inspection of those parts with which he is most familiar, the selection 
of articles to be noticed has been very judiciously made, and few important 
contributions to scientific literature are passed sub silentio. The summaries 
themselves are also very well executed. We would suggest, however, that 
the utility of the work would be greatly increased, if references were in all 
cases given to the sources of the various articles. The volume concludes 
with a Necrology and a Bibliography of u select ” works in science. 
BRITISH PLANTS.t 
r| TIE work of a catalogue-maker is generally regarded with but little favour, 
-L but there are few things for which the student of natural objects has 
more occasion to feel grateful, than the production of a judiciously prepared 
list of the subjects of his study. The writer of a manual, no doubt, performs a 
higher service to his fellow-workers, and his labours may often be wearisome 
enough, but he is at least sustained under their pressure, by a certain feeling 
* Annual Record of Science and Industry, for 1878. Edited by Spencer 
F. Baird. 8vo. New York : Harper. London : Triibner, 1879. 
t The Student’s Catalogue of British Plants, arranged according to the 
Student’s Flora of the British Isles, by Sir J. D. Hooker. Compiled by the 
Rev. George Henslow. 8vo. London : Bateman, Portland Town, 1879. 
