Peeps at the Heavens. By the Rev. James Baikie. (A.
and C. Black. 6s. net.)—Mr. Baikie tells us about familiar things, and does it very well. Nothing could be clearer, for instance, than his explanation of bow eclipses come about. He even gives a new touch to things now and then. How many of our readers know that the Chinese see in the moon-face a monkey pounding rice? How many have seen the moon maiden, with her long hair floating behind her, on p. 41 ? Miss Constance Baikie's representation of her is well worth looking at, as, indeed, are all her plates. Then, again, is not this a new idea about Mars? Let us suppose that the canals are, indeed, great irrigation works—what then ? The planet, indeed, is called after the God of War, "but its people must be, not only great engineers, but the most peaceable people you can imagine ; for, you see, they cannot afford to quarrel with their neighbours for fear that the water supply will be stopped." This is a very delightful book on a subject of inexhaustible interest.
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