2 36 Analyses of Books. [April, 
The little journal before us promises well, and may prove use- 
ful in winning over new votaries for Natural History if it is only 
condudled in a purely scientific spirit. Some of the matter given 
is exceedingly interesting. We notice especially the experience of 
Mr. F. W. Halfpenny concerning the virulence of the bite of the 
common viper. This snake has of late years greatly increased 
in Epping Forest, and in various parts of Hertfordshire, &c. 
This increase is, we think, due to the growing rarity of its only 
efficient enemy, the hedgehog. This useful little animal is hunted 
clown by the gamekeepers on the charge of destroying the eggs 
of the pheasant and partridge, and often too falls a prey to the 
Gipsies. In consequence the viper multiplies unchecked. We 
do not in the least think Mr. Halfpenny’s account of his suffer- 
ings too strongly coloured. We have personally met with fatal 
cases of the bite of this species in Hungary, Austria, &c. In , 
Southern France, especially in the Gironde, the deaths among 
persons bitten are about 20 per cent. A few years ago a young 
man, whilst on a pedestrian excursion in Surrey, was bitten on 
the ankle whilst ascending Leith Hill, and died the next day in 
spite of prompt medical assistance. Whether their bite is more 
deadly in March and April than in the summer we are not pre- 
pared to say with certainty, but they are assuredly more vicious, 
peihaps because it is their annual season of sexual excitement. 
Mr. Halfpenny’s description of the viper is corredt as regards 
the female, but the ground colour of the male is of a grey, 
lighter or darker in different localities, and with the same black 
pattern. 
Mr. George Hurst discusses the “ Language of Animals.’’ He 
says, however, little that is of importance, and introduces at the 1 
end an error. It is not true that among wild animals the destruc- 1 
tion of life is always “ accomplished with the least suffering.” 
Bears, wolves, &c., eat their vidtims by piecemeal, not waiting (I 
for life to be extindt. The final remark about “ the vile and fal- 
lacious excuse of scientific observation ” is almost worthy of the 
Zoophilist or the Police News. 
But for this effusion we could say that we have read the i| 
“ Naturalists’ World ” with unmixed pleasure. 
Geological Survey of Alabama. Report for the Years 1881 and 
1882, embracing an Account of the Agricultural Features of 
the State. By E. A. Smith, Ph.D., State Geologist. I 
Montgomery : W. D. Brown and Co. 
1 his Report is exceedingly wide and thorough-going in its cha- 
radter, and though drawn up, of course, with especial reference 
