8 
NATURE NOTES 
days, they run about all over the leaves, which, however, they do not appear to 
attack. He suggests — and the theory, though not proved, is probable — that the 
mites are useful in eating the spores of fungi, which might otherwise grow on and 
injure the leaves. M. Areschoug thinks he has observed that when the mites 
are numerous the leaves are specially large and healthy. In certain genera some 
species have domatia and others not ; in the former the leaves are generally smooth, 
and in the latter protected by hairs. Similar domatia occur on the leaves of many 
other forest trees, as the Oak, Elm, Sycamore, Alder, Holly, &c.” 
More Natural History Essays. By Graham Renshaw, M.B. Sherratt and 
Hughes. Price 6s. net. 
We recently had occasion to notice an excellent handbook, by Mr. Beddard, to 
the Natural History of the animals commonly seen in zoological gardens. But, 
whilst it is not difficult to turn to detailed accounts of the more common animals, 
such as the Lion, the Bengal Tiger, the Elephants, the Camels, or the Hippo- 
potamus, one is constantly at a loss for similar information as to species less 
regularly exhibited. Dr. Renshaw has, therefore, performed a useful task in 
giving us this volume of twenty scholarly and well-informed essays on such 
mammals as the Vampire Bat, the Malay Tapir, Steller’s extinct Sea-cow, the 
Chinchilla, the Echidna, and the Spectre Tarsier. As will be seen from these 
names, he has not, as in his previous volume, taken his types by 7 any means 
exclusively from the African continent ; but his chapters contain abundant proof 
of first-hand knowledge of the animals either in the field, in the zoological 
gardens of Europe, or in the museum. Many of the illustrations give us the 
impression of having been taken with a camera unworthy of the occasion. 
Alien Flora of Britain. By S. T. Dunn, B.A. West, Newman and Co. 
Price 5s. net. 
Mr. Dunn has undoubtedly expended great pains upon this work, which he 
has had to complete under the serious disadvantage of his official residence at 
Hong Kong, far from British specimens and records. His comprehensive view 
of the term “ alien ” will be remembered by those who examined his Preliminary 
List. He does not hesitate to include species which Mr. Clement Reid has 
found in Neolithic, Inter-glacial and Pre-glacial deposits ; but in a work of this 
kind inclusion is probably more useful than a rigid system of exclusion. The 
notes on habitats and on extra-British distribution are valuable ; but to the 
ordinary amateur botanist the work would have been of vastly greater utility had 
it comprised descriptions of the species recorded. 
A Glossary of Botanic Terms , with their Derivation and Accent. By B. D. 
Jackson. Second Edition. Duckworth and Co. Price 7s. 6d. 
“Good wine needs no bush,” and. did not every English student of botany 
know the value of each of Mr. Jackson’s works for accuracy and thoroughness, 
the fact that this Glossary has so speedily reached a second edition is proof in 
itself that it has secured recognition as a standard work. If botanists have 
inflicted 16,000 terms upon the students of their science, Mr. Jackson is not to 
blame : but we hardlv know' whether he need have recognised such wholesale 
and supererogatory 7 coinage as those of Mr. Clements, the American ecologist. 
The printing of the work is excellent, though it is to be regretted that the stereo- 
typing of the original has necessitated a supplement. 
A Natural History of the British Butterflies, their world-wide Variation and 
Geographical Distribution : a Text-cook for Students and Collectors. By 
J. W. Tutt, F.E.S. Parts I. and II. Elliott Stock. Price is. (net) each. 
Mr. Tutt is well-known as an authority on the Lepidoptera, and this work 
from his pen seems likely to prove one of great value and importance. Strangely' 
enough, how'ever, the two parts we have received contain no suggestion as to the 
number of parts that are to be issued, nor any indication other than the title on 
the wrapper of the exact scope of the book. Each part contains some of the 
general introductory matter and some of the descriptive portion, making 28 and 
24 pages in all, respectively, with a plate. The synonymy, description, British 
and extra-British distribution are given very fully, with mention of food-plants 
and of times of appearance ; and Mr. Tutt apparently lays stress on the egg-lay'ing, 
or, as he prints it, “ egglaying ” of the various species. 
