SHORT NOTICES OF BOOKS. 
59 
importance in proving something else, which did not actually exist at all. We 
learn, too, that we have often taken a plausible theory for an ascertained fact, and 
that we have listened to “ fairy tales of science ” as if they were only true stories 
which nearly everybody knew, while all the time we ought to have gratefully 
acknowledged that they were private property, being entirely due to the bril- 
liant imagination of the courteous gentleman who personally conducted us. In 
some respects our second peripatetic lecturer seems even better than the first ; he 
is more logical, if not so “ cock-sure about everything ; ” he has clearer vision, if 
less imagination ; he is much more accurate, if not quite so interesting ; last but 
not least, his lessons are much less expensive, or what comes to the same thing, his 
book is much cheaper. But the readers of Nature Notes had better form their 
own opinions on the merits of this controversy ; we can only advise all those who 
have read Vignettes from Nature , and the Evolutionist at Large to carefully com- 
pare the conclusions arrived at in these volumes, with the views set forth in 
Science and Scientists. 
SHORT NOTICES OF BOOKS. 
Among the many editions of the Natui-al History of Selborne, none is more 
attractive than that issued in the “ Camelot Classics ” (Walter Scott). It has an 
admirable introduction by Richard Jefferies, the Gilbert White of our own time, is 
well printed and of a convenient size for the pocket, and would be well nigh per- 
fect if it were blest with an index ; but of this there is no trace, not even a “ table 
of contents.” By a curious slip Mr. Jefferies speaks of “ the little Surrey parish 
of Selborne,” whereas the very first sentence in the book is “ The parish of 
Selborne lies in the extreme eastern corner of the county of Hampshire.” Mr. 
Walter Scott also sends us a threepenny illustrated pamphlet in a pretty 
pictorial cover entitled, The History of the Dicky Bird Society. Perhaps few 
of our readers are acquainted with this flourishing forerunner of the Selborne 
Society, in which case they will thank us for calling their attention to “Uncle 
Toby’s ” brochure. This excellent personage — a very real entity to some 140,000 
boys and girls who have enrolled themselves under his banner — established the 
Society in the “ Children’s Corner ” of the Newcastle Chronicle on the 7th 
October, 1876. The way in which the “ D. B. S.” has grown, the work it has 
done, the influence it has exercised, with many interesting letters and facsimile 
drawings will be found fully detailed in this small but entertaining pamphlet. 
The Field A T aturalist’s Handbook , by the Revs. J. G. and Theodore Wood 
(Cassell) offers a convenient summary of what is to be done in each month among 
insects and plants. Each month is prefaced by some very useful “ general 
hints ” as to what to do and how and when to do it. “ Lonicer,” not “ Lonice ” 
(p. 9), is the name of the botanist whom Lonicera commemorates. 
Messrs. Ward and Lock have conferred a boon upon lovers of nature and 
travel by producing a cheap and well printed edition of Darwin’s classical Journal 
of Researches made during the voyage of the “ Beagle ” in 1831. Although first 
published nearly half a century since, it is as fresh as ever, and in its present form 
will reach many who have hitherto been debarred from getting the work on 
account of its expense. The illustrations do not add to the attractiveness of the 
book, and might well have been omitted. 
Messrs. Cassell send us their Concise Natural History , a handsome volume 
in small quarto, abounding in illustrations, and containing some 620 pages. The 
name of Professor Perceval Wright, the editor, guarantees that the work is care- 
fully and accurately done, and, although the descriptions are necessarily con- 
densed, they are readable and clear. This would form an excellent school prize, 
apropos of which it occurs to us to inquire whether the Selborne Society is 
established in any of the public or private schools, and if not, why not? In 
addition to its other merits, this Natural History contains an excellent index. 
The National Society has done well in republishing selections from Sir John 
Lubbock’s Natural History , in the form of a reading book for use in elementary 
and higher schools. These “ Chapters on Natural History ” are well suited also for 
village libraries and private reading ; ants, bees, and wasps, the colours of 
animals, plants, and insects, fruits and seeds are among the subjects dealt with. 
