NATURE NOTES. 
114 
lo make him long to know more of the life-histories of our butterflies and moths 
could possibly be imagined. 
The last half of the book is occupied with the description of the butterflies 
and larger moths, while there is even an introduction to the study of the micro- 
lepidoptera, with figures and descriptions of a selected series of species. Finally, 
in two appendices, we have a complete classified list of British Macro-Lepidop- 
tera, according to South, and the Lepidopterist’s Calendar already referred to. 
The book is one that should find a place in the Natural History Library of every 
school, and we heartily recommend it to those of our readers who are of an 
entomological turn of mind. Author and publishers alike have done their work 
well, and are to be congratulated on the result. We observe that this volume is 
to be followed by others dealing with various sections of our native fauna, to the 
appearance of which we look forward with pleasant anticipation. If the same 
standard of excellence is maintained, the succeeding volumes will certainly receive 
a hearty welcome. 
NATURE KNOWLEDGE?* 
The object of this book is stated in the preface. In this the author tells us 
that it consists of the “ expanded notes of class-lessons given during the past 
quarter of a century, and has included some of the results of recent travel and 
research.” We might have inferred the exact date of the class notes from two 
or three statements in the book. The Rhine ceased to be “ in part the boundary 
between Germany and France ” exactly twenty-five years ago; and the statement 
(p. 166) that the Albert Nyanza “is at least 300 miles long,” and that the Nile 
rises from it, would also have been excusable at the same period. But the 
author would have been much behind the times even then, when he adds that 
the Victoria Nyanza is shorter, and that from it “ another branch, the White 
Nile, is thought to originate.” 
The next paragraph of the preface tells us for whom the book is written, and 
that it will give an idea of the extended treatment adopted by “ the great 
geographers,” of whom he enumerates five, including Mrs. Somerville and 
Ansted ! He tells us that he “ by adding copious extracts from travellers 
and eye-witnesses, as Humbolt, Kingsley, and Livingstone, of the scenes they 
depict, and by dealing with natural phenomena in relation to human affairs, it 
is sought lo increase the attractiveness of the subject.” We do not quite under- 
stand what is meant by extracts of scenes ; but we suppose that the desire to 
relate the book to human affairs is the excuse for the long and rhetorical 
description of a skating scene on pp. 237-238; the “deep responsive growl of 
the ice ” is echoed by the reviewer, who has to wade through such unnecessary 
additions to the amount of padding in the book. 
The preface then goes on to say that “ Footnotes support the text, affording 
more detailed information for the use of students preparing the study of physio- 
graphy for the various public examinations.” We should like to know at what 
public examinations it would help a student to know that Cavendish always 
placed his walking stick in one of his boots (p. 204), or that Columbus was 
ruddy-faced with auburn hair, and that when he contracted his eyebrows he 
almost frowned (p. 6). Nor is it wise to encourage examinees to quote Martin 
Tupper (p. 10). 
“ The illustrations will also, it is hoped, stimulate to a keener appreciation of 
natural beauty in the world around us.” Many of them do — by contrast. The 
figures, however, are certainly the best part of the book, but it would also 
stimulate a keener sense of honesty if the author had acknowledged their sources. 
* Short Studies in Nature Knowledge : an Introduction to the Science of 
Physiography, by William Gee. (Macmillan, 1895, Svo, pp. xiv., 313; with 
1 17 illustrations.) 
