196 
NATURE NOTES 
handled succinctly almost to baldness, cannot fail to be elucidated by the accurate 
statement of fact. Such topics include the typical structure and life-history' of 
each of the larger groups, with the ever fresh marvel of metamorphosis, and the 
wonders of protective resemblance and symbiosis which are illustrated by the 
figures that we are able, by the courtesy of the publishers, to reproduce here. We 
have, on a former occasion, called attention to the works of M. Janet on ants and 
the various insects associated with them ; and some of the cases in the Natural 
History Museum, Cromwell Road, will have familiarised many with resemblances 
such as those of the ants, wasp and spider in another of these illustrations. The 
case of the “ basket worms,” Monda, the larvne of Psychidse, is peculiarly 
interesting. They sometimes resemble the shells of molluscs so closely that they 
have been sent to the British Museum as shells, whilst some of them feed on grass 
just like snails. The form here figured resembles the molluscan genus Clattsilia, 
and it is worth remembering that this mollusc has in its turn a striking resemblance, 
not only in form but in the angle it makes with a twig, to the unopened buds of the 
beech. The volume comprise over 6co pages and nearly 300 illustrations, mostly 
original, the delicacy of which condones the weight of the volume. 
Missouri Botanical Garden. Tenth Annual Report. St. Louis, Mo. 
This volume — even more sumptuous than last year’s issue — contains, with 
other matter, a biography, with a portrait, of Dr. E. L. Sturdevant, and “ Notes 
on the Grasses in the Bernhardi Herbarium, collected by Thaddeus Haenke, and 
described by J. S. Presl ” in “ Reliquiae Haenkeanre,” vol. i. (Prague, 1830, fob), 
a scarce work, illustrated by new plates of nearly seventy of Presl’s types. 
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Seventy-fifth Annual 
Report. Price, to non-subscribers, is. 
This report shows steady progress in all the departments of the Society’s 
work, though the appearance of their new journal is again indefinitely postponed. 
The National Footpath Preservation Society: Fourteenth Annual Report, 
1898-99. Commons Preservation Society : Report, 1897-98. 
These two societies, which have done such valuable work in the past, are now 
— most wisely, as we think — amalgamated, the joint society being henceforth 
known as the Commons and Footpaths Preservation Society, the offices being 
at I, Great College Street, Westminster, and Mr. L. W. Chubb being the 
Secretary. The formation of the Thames Preservation League, and the Parlia- 
mentary Amenities Committee, and the preservation of Churchyard Bottom 
Wood, Highgate, are among the topics alluded to in the second of these reports. 
Report of the Kent and Surrey Committee of the Commons and Footpaths 
Preservation Society, 1898-99. 
Though more local support, personal and financial, is much wanted, this 
committee has already accomplished a good deal. Croham Hurst and Ide Hill 
arc among the cases discussed in this report. 
Essex Naturalist, vol. xi.. Nos. 1-3, January — March, 1899. Price is. 6d. 
This part contains, with much other interesting county matter, an article by . 
the editor, Mr. W. Cole, F.L.S., on “ The Protection of Wild Birds in Essex.” 
Received. — The Victorian Naturalist for July and August ; 7 'he Naturalist, 
Irish Naturalist, Animals' Friend, Humanity, Animal IVorld, Our Animal 
Friends, Science Gossip, Knowledge, and Agricultural Economist for September. 
NATURAL HISTORY NOTES AND QUERIES. 
A Dog’s Faithfulness and Sagacity. — The Rev. F. W. Thoyis sends 
the following to the Reading Mercury: — “ Sir, — I take it for granted that most, 
if not all, of your readers are interested in the genus ‘ dog.’ They treasure his 
affection, admire his sagacity, love him as a friend, and will agree with the poet 
Byron, who writes thus of a dog — ‘ Denied in heaven the soul lie had on earth.’ 
“ Many stories about dogs are extant. We hear and read of them with wonder 
and amusement. I have heard, and know it to be authentic, that a fox-terrier 
belonging to my father-in-law many years ago was taken from Cambridge into 
Lincolnsliire in the boot of a coach. The dog disappeared, and was found 
