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Review—Flowers: Their Origin, Etc.

bodies of insects. On the other hand, the pollen-grains of anemophilous plants are exceedingly light, usually round er lenticular, and expose as much surface as possible ta the force of the wind which blows then: about. . . Darwin has shown that in some instances the relationship between certain inserts and certain plats has been so narrowed that if the insects were absent from any locality the plants necessarily would be absent also. . . . Such a special connection between one group of the animal and one of the vegetable world we affirm need not interfere with man's enjoyment of the presence of either. It may operate as a check to bis self-conceit to feel that flowers have not been primarily intended for himself; but, if his be a well-regulated mind, the marvellous inter-relationship between insects and flowers which science bas thus brought to light will throw an additional halo of poetic interest over these unconscious events, which, acting through blind instincts, have made the world more beautiful for those who can admire it." (Pp. 18-21.)

The chapters which follow relate to "The Geological Antiquity of lowers and Insects," "The Geographical Distribution of Flowers," "The Structure of Flowering Plants," "Relations between Flowers and their Physical Surroundings," "Relations between Flowers and the Wind," "The Colours of Flowers,” ‘The External Shapes of Flowers," "The Internal Shapes of Flowers," "The Perfumes of Flowers," "Social Flowers," "Birds and Flowers," and “This Natural Defences of Flowering Plants." Exception will, we think, be taken to some of Dr. Taylor's statements, and it would, perhaps, have been prudent had he been a little less positive in places. The tone of the book will make it acceptable to many who would probably be deterred from considering the subjects dealt with if presented as they undoubtedly would be by many modern botanists. The wile range over which Dr. Taylor travels will be gathered from the titles of the chapters quoted above. In each he has managed to compress much interesting, and for those for whom the book is primarily intended, a good deal of novel information. As a popular and well formulated statement of the results won by the laborious researches of some of our foremost botanists, this volume has an undoubted value which ought to ensure for it a large circulation. There are many woodcuts and some coloured illustrations, not a few of which will be found most useful in elucidating the text.


Practical Taxidermy: A Manual of Instruction to the Amateur in Collecting, Preserving, and Setting-up Natural History Specimens of ad hinds By Montagu Browne. London: "Bazaar” Office, 82, Wellington Street, Strand. Price 8s. 6d.

In this practical manual by Mr. Montagu Browne, Naturalist, Birmingham, the amateur taxidermist will find clear, concise, detailed instruction in "the art of preparing and preserving the skins of animals for cabinets, so as to represent their natural appearances."

The first chapter is of an exceedingly interesting character, giving in a complete form the history of the rise and progress of the "Skin Art," as Mr. Browne rather loosely translates it, and to correct which we have above given Dr. Ogilvie's definition of Taxidermy in full.

In the second chapter, which treats of trapping and decoying birds and animals, we should prefer that the author should substitute the word