The Story of Life in the Seas. By Sydney J.
Hickson, D.Sc., F.R.S. (George Newnes.) — This is an exceedingly useful little book, one of a series whose value is in inverse proportion to their price. Within the brief compass of one hundred and eighty exiguous pages Dr. Hickson has suc- ceeded in outlining the marvellous story of life in the seas in so pleasant and easy a manner, that it will undoubtedly lure many of its readers on to deeper study of the splendours of marine natural history. Which is doubtless the author's desire. The language, while anything but puerile, is simple and unpreten- tious, hard words only appearing where absolutely necessary. Such books as these lay the reader under a deep obligation to writers of Dr. Hickson's eminence in the scientific world, who are able and willing to descend awhile from their Olympian heights of knowledge and expound unto ordinary folk in language they can comprehend the daily miracles of Nature. We confess to having read this little book through at the first opening with the greatest pleasure and no little profit. Many of the life histories of the sea-folk are quite as wonderful as any fairy tale, having a fascination all their own, and books like these that give the casual reader a taste of, and for, these wonders undoubtedly do yeoman's service to the great cause of education. We congratulate Messrs. Newnes very heartily upon this latest addition to their " Story " series,
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