First Book of Zoology. By Edward S. Morse, Ph.D. (Henry
S. King and Co.)—There is no reason why children's proclivities for making collections of objects, as manifested by their stamp and crest albums, should not be turned to good account. They may be induced to collect insects and other specimens of natural history in their rambles, taught to arrange them systematically, and observe the differ- ences of external structure, thus cultivating an early taste for zoology and developing habits of observation. Dr. Morse has written a book with this point in view. He has mercilessly banished all special, tech- nical names of animals, and only retained class names, and those which distinguish the parts of the body. Most of the animals described are in the reach of all, and consist of the commonest molluscs, arthropoda, and venues. The vertebrate animals are limited to the salamander and cat, and yet they form the basis of a most instructive lesson. The illustrations are drawn from actual specimens, mainly in outline, which the pupil is intended to copy, and then attempt real specimens,—an excellent plan for securing accuracy of observation and retention by the memory.
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