POPULAR NATURAL HISTORY. 
If the number of books bearing upon popular natural history, recently 
issued, is any criterion, there must be a tremendous revival just now 
in connexion with the interest taken in natural science. From the 
house of Cassell has been issued At Home with Wild Nature , by Richard 
Kearton (xii. + i64 pp., 7s. 6d. net), which it is perhaps unnecessary 
to state, is exceptionally well illustrated by Captain Cherry Kearton 
and the author. The illustrations consist of mammals, birds, reptiles, 
etc. The nature of the work of the brothers Kearton makes a long notice 
of this book unnecessary. The same firm publishes Amid Snowy 
Wastes, by Seton Gordon (xiv.+2o6 pp., 15s. net), and is an admirable 
description of the natural history and physical features of Spitsbergen. 
It is illustrated by numerous reproductions of photographs, as well as 
maps. The author was the official photographer to the Oxford University 
Expedition to Spitsbergen in 1921, and he does not so much give a report 
on the Expedition itself, as a record of his own personal experiences. 
Wild Nature and Country Life, by ‘ A Woodman.’ London : 
T. Fisher Unwin (159 pp., 6s. net). This book describes first-hand 
observations of various aspects of animal and plant life, by what may be 
described as a home-made Naturalist, and he gives the accounts of what 
he has seen in his own style. , He wishes to remain anonymous, but his 
observations are certainly of scientific value, and have apparently 
principally been made by the side of the River Avon by a man whose 
occupation had been in connection with forestry. Of the chapters, 
the following half dozen give an idea of the nature of his work : The 
Haunt of the Otter, The Noctule’s Haunt, The Nightingale’s Haunt, 
Hedgerow Life, Nature by Night, A Springtime Ramble. 
Messrs. Macmillan & Co. have published The Sport of Bird Study, 
by Herbert K. Job pdii'.-j-312+iv. pp., $2.50 net), who is a member 
of the American Ornithologists’ Union, and whose work will be inter- 
esting to British Bird lovers from the wealth of illustration which the 
author gives, enabling interesting comparisons to be made between the 
Avifauna of North-Eastern North America and Britain. The same 
house has issued a similar work, by the same author, entitled How to 
Study Birds (xiii.-j-.272 pp., $1.50), who states that the object of his 
book ‘ is to give, simply, clearly, and thoroughly, every possible sug- 
gestion and bit of practical information which may be useful to those 
who are beginning the fascinating study of birds in their native haunts.’ 
Here again the numerous photographic illustrations and descriptions 
are of value. In this volume, special attention is devoted to camera 
equipment and use, Bird work for indoors, Bird study for schools, etc. 
Uniform with the last is Man , The Animal , by Dr . W . M . Smallwood 
(xiv.4-223 pp., $2.50), Professor of Comparative Anatomy in Syracuse 
University; also published by Macmillan and Co. According to the 
publisher’s announcement, this book ‘ deals with life, the cell, repro- 
duction, the nervous system, disease, and heredity. The author frankly 
sets forth the limits which scientific investigation has reached, at various 
points, and presents the biological view of life, disease, and death, with 
remarkable lucidity. It is a popular science of a sort that preachers, 
nurses, and social workers have Jong desired, and the general reader in 
America has not known where to find such a scientifically sound yet 
readable volume. Also it should be put in the hands of every college 
student.’ It is certainly well illustrated by diagram and by reproductions 
from photographs. 
Messrs. Thornton Butterworth have issued Animal Curiosities, by 
W. S. Berridge, an author already well-known in the scientific world. 
The volume deals chiefly with animals to be found in the Zoo, but these 
are classified under such heads as Fish and their Nests, Unnatural Natural 
History, Birds with Queer Beaks, and No Eyes and Multiple Eyes. 
The author deals with subjects not usually met with in popular works, 
namely, Squids, Cuttle-fish, Snails, etc. 252 pp., price 7s. 6d. 
Naturalist 
