54 
NATURE NOTES. 
that a law, similar to that so successfully enforced in Paris, be 
passed in London ; but combined with one for the benefit of 
agriculturists, it might perhaps be a question worth considering. 
A Bird Lover. 
[The following extract from a recent Daily Chronicle seems to show that we 
have small cause to flatter ourselves in the way our correspondent suggests : — 
“ During the past few years the annual supply of larks for London, from the 
Dunstable neighbourhood of Bedfordshire, has averaged between 48,000 and 
49,000. It is stated that the supply is gradually diminishing.” — E d. N.N.'\ 
AN INTRODUCTION TO ZOOLOGY.* 
This little book, containing 380 pages or thereabouts, and 124 good figures 
in the text, is intended primarily for the use of students drawn from the classes 
of commercial men, clerks, and well-educated artizans, who may be anxious for 
the purpose of self-education to acquire, in a small compass, and for a moderate 
sum, a clearly written and at the same time thoroughly up-to-date account of the 
elementary principles of zoology. Those who wish to extend their studies after 
mastering the details contained in this volume, will find at the end of it a special 
chapter recommending the best books, beginning with the most elementary, and 
passing on to those that are more advanced, so that there may be no waste of 
time and money over antiquated volumes. Amongst the periodicals mentioned 
as containing paragraphs of interest to lovers of animals, we are glad to see that 
Nature Notes finds a place. 
Omitting part hi., which contains the information respecting bibliography, as well 
as much practical advice to students, the subject matter is divided into two sections, 
each containing ten chapters. The first section treats of the science from what 
may be termed its philosophical side, and discusses the more abstruse questions 
connected with evolution, the cell and its structure, life and force, &c. For an 
elementary treatise, this part is uncommonly well done, and we only hope that 
our artisan student will not be frightened by finding that at the outset he has to 
grapple with such alarming words as pa’alolhermous, karyokinesis, diploblastic, 
&c. We can assure him that a little perseverance will soon show that these 
names, like all others, are merely “noise and smoke.” The second section, 
set apart for systematic zoology, contains an abridged account of the morphology 
and classification of the animal kingdom. This is not by any means so well 
done, in all respects, as the first part, but we have no wish to fault find, and will 
merely point out that it is difficult in all cases to see the principle upon which the 
space has been allotted to the various groups. The extensive class of the 
Nemathelminthes, or thread-worms, for example, is dismissed in three lines, 
while no less than a page and a-half is devoted in the first part to such a rela- 
tively unimportant matter as the history of the rise and fall of the manx-cat. 
On the whole, however, this is a book which we can cordially recommend, 
not only to beginner.';, but also to advanced students. 
R. P. 
Mummy Wheat Outdone. — This is from the Sun: the mummy must 
have come from Mexico — at any rate the d.ihlia did ! “ Some little time .ago a 
mummy, which was proved to be more th.an two thousand years old, was dis- 
covered, grasping in its clo.sed hand a bulbous root. The root was planted in a 
.sunny soil, and, after a few weeks, blos-somed into a beautiful species of dahlia.” 
* An InlroductioH to the Study of Zoology, by B. Lindsay C.S. of Girton 
College, Cambridge. (London: Swan Sonncnschein, 1895. 8vo. Price 6s.) 
