20 
REVIEWS 
Htbitfos. 
Half-hours with the Stars. Twelve Maps of the Constellations, with 
descriptions. By R. A. Proctor. Fourteenth thousand. Price 2s. 6d. 
Half-hours with the Telescope. By R. A. Proctor. 109 pp., 7 plates, 
15 woodcuts. Price 2s. 6d. Eighth edition. W, H. Allen and Co., 
Waterloo Place, London. 
These are new editions of two well-known books, now issued by 
Messrs. Allen and Co. The celestial objects described in the book on 
the telescope are all within range of a small instrument, and are 
described with Mr. Proctor’s well-known lucidity. The introductory 
chapter on the “ structure of the telescope” is very good indeed, and 
supplies just the information required by amateurs. 
The Star Maps form a capital companion to the telescope; but even 
without any instrument they enable any person to become acquainted 
with the “star-lit sky.” Their use will obviate Carlyle’s complaint, 
“ Oh, why did not some one teach me the stars and the constellations 
when I was a boy!” The maps hold true for every year, and are so 
arranged that they can be consulted on any given hour of any night. 
They are very distinctly printed in white on a dark-blue ground. 
Land and Freshwater Shells of the British Isles. By R. Rimmer, F.L.S. 
8vo. 205 pp., 10 plates. Price 6s. Published by W. H. Allen 
and Co., London. 
The study of shells is, perhaps, the best which can be taken up, as an 
introduction to Natural History, by anyone desirous of commencing 
practical work. Shells are to be found everywhere, and at all seasons 
of the year. They are usually of sufficient size to enable their charac¬ 
ters to be distinguished by the naked eye, and their preservation 
involves no difficulty. To the geologist, too, the study of living shells 
is of great importance; for he must not expect to understand the 
(frequently fragmentary) fossil shells which are so common in rocks, 
unless he has first formed some acquaintance with their living repre¬ 
sentatives. 
For the study of our British land and freshwater shells only one 
thing was wanting, and that has been supplied by the publication of 
Mr. Rimmer’s clear, yet thoroughly scientific and carefully prepared 
hand-book, which includes excellent figures (reproduced by the 
Albertype process from photographs) of all the British species. The 
introduction contains very useful hints about collecting, and the pre¬ 
paration and care of the specimens when once obtained; while in the 
body of the work the descriptions of specific characters are full and 
accurate. Ample and interesting information is also given as to 
localities, habits, etc. The most recent researches of British conclio- 
logists are here referred to, amoug which we notice frequent mention 
of our able contributors, Messrs. G. Slierriff Tye and W. G. Blatcli. 
