26 
REVIEWS. 
are no books,” mentions those on natural history, he had assuredly never 
seen such as Mr. Reeve has now issued. If these do not serve to render 
zoology more popular than it has ever yet been, its prospects are “ poor 
indeed.” 
We have already noticed in favourable terms the volume on shells— 
British Conchology, by Mr. Sowerby (No. VIII., Oct., 1855, p. 86)—and 
need not further revert to it. Yet, we must express a hope that our 
readers will recommend such of their friends as may, in a few weeks 
hence, be preparing to move with their families to the sea-side, to regard 
some of these volumes as a necessary part of the summer out-fit, and to 
order, at the same time, the one on Shells and the one on Zoophytes. 
When once again settled at home, they will, we think, admit that they 
never had so much enjoyment for so small an expenditure. And to those 
interested in zoology as a branch of school education we would say, that 
they could select no premiums more useful or acceptable than what this 
series supplies. 
Miss M. E. Catlow’s volume, “ British Entomology,” has the pages 
headed with the names of the months, from January to December; but 
as the airy beings of whom she treats do not choose to distribute them¬ 
selves in so exact a mode, the early months are devoted to matters 
connected with structure, classification, and nomenclature; and the con¬ 
cluding months of the year are occupied with instructions respecting the 
capture, preservation, arrangement, and other particulars. In the months 
beginning with March and ending with October, we are introduced to 
“ the whole of the British butterflies, as being the most beautiful and 
attractive of the insect world; many of our most common moths and 
beetles, and such other insects as are likely to come under the observation 
of the lover of nature.” The definitions of orders, families, and genera 
are briefly and clearly given; and much of popular interest belonging to 
the habits of the several species is scattered throughout the pages. It is 
intended as a preparation for works of a higher scientific rank, such as 
those of Kirby and Spence, Curtis and Westwood ; and all that is 
proposed has been gracefully and judiciously accomplished. 
Mr. White’s volume is altogether different—not in the subject merely, 
but in the mode in which it is treated. It does not attempt to give 
definitions of the families into which birds are divided; but, leaving the 
reader to search for them in works of a more technical character, it treats 
of the habits of the various groups. In doing so, it ranges over all climates, 
and marshals for our edification the flying denizens of the most distant 
lands. They pass before our eyes in rapid succession, exhibiting their 
