Observations of a Naturalist in the Pacific, 1896 - 99. By H.
B. Guppy, M.B. Vol. I. (Macmillan and Co. 15s. net.)—This volume, with its three hundred and ninety-two pages, is devoted to a description of Vanua Levu. one of the Fiji group. It has an area of two thousand five hundred square miles, and a maximum elevation of three thousand five hundred feet. Dr. Guppy devotes chaps. 1-16 to the " Geological and General Physical Features " of the various districts of the island. He begins with the problem of its origin. "The movement of emergence"—such is the conclusion—" which has been in operation probably since the later Tertiary period, is not suspended." The "Hot Springs," which are found in some thirty different localities, are discussed in chap. 3. Chaps. 17-22 are occupied with " Volcanic Rocks" ; chaps. 23-26 with a description of various formations ; and chap. 27 with some general conclusions and hypotheses. We have given the barest outline of Dr. Guppy's book. Its technical character precludes a more detailed examination ; but it would be unfair to allow so laborious a contribution to scientific know- ledge to pass without some notice. What a vast amount of work—such is the first reflection of the observer—has to be done ! The geology and the flora (left to a second volume) of a single island demand all this labour. Our author suggests the founda- tion of a "Fiji Society." And then there are, we know not how many, other groups to be explored.
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