n8 Book Notice. 
of the Juncus swamps, which in ordinary years are almost 
impassable. 
Potamogeton natans looked very much out of place clinging 
to hummocks of peat left almost dry by the evaporation of the 
ponds and swamps on some of the higher portions of the moors, 
and was growing more as a compact rosette with short leaf 
stalks than as a water plant. It was, however, normal in 
many of the ponds that remained through the drought . 
Fishing from the Earliest Times, by W. Radcliffe. John Murray, 
478 pp., 28s. The author tells us he was asked to give a quotation from 
Homer for his sister's game-book, and as a result, his interest in the 
subject — like Topsy ‘ growed, I spects.’ However, it is apparent that 
since the days of hip sister’s game-book, all has been fish that has come 
into his net — which he seems to have ‘ far-flung.’ Assyrian and Egyptian 
monuments, Greek and Roman pottery, early mosaics, friezes, Indian 
antiquities, Esquimaux and modern savages have all contributed their 
load to Mr. Radcliffe’s net. His quotations from the Greek, Chinese, 
Peruvians — in fact from all the ancient civilizations — with a wealth of 
footnotes and quotations, indicate the extent of his researches. He is 
able to illustrate the art of the angler during four thousand years, giving 
an illustration of fishing with a rod so early as 2000 b.c. Judging from 
the numerous illustrations in this bopk, the desire for ‘ big fish ’ has 
existed from all time — even the early Egyptian representations of the 
piscatorial captures being obviously exaggerated ! By the courtesy of 
the publisher we are able to give a reproduction of one of the numerous 
illustrations to this interesting volume. 
The earliest representation of angling, c. 2000 B.C. 
Naturalist 
