First Principles of Physiography. By J. Douglas. (Chapman and Hall.)—This
is a clearly written manual of physiographical principles on the broadest lines, including geology and the physics of the earth. Perhaps the conditions of weather and climate might have been made more descriptive; but, on the whole, it is well expressed, and likely to interest the student.
We have before 118 parts of three magnificent works which we may notice in the order of their publication. These are,—A Monograph of the Trochilida, or Humming-Birds, complete in 30 parts (418 plates) ; The Birds of Great Britain, in 25 parts (367 plates) ; and The Birds of New Guinea and Adjacent Papuan Islands, in 25 parts (320 plates). All were the work of the most accom- plished illustrator of bird-life that this country has ever produced, Mr. John Gould, excepting that a little more than half of the third is due to the exertions of Mr. R. Bowdler Sharpe. Anything more perfect, for colour and form, than these figurings of birds cannot be conceived. To indicate a preference would be unjust, for all are admirable in their own department f but perhaps for rich variety of colour the humming-birds may be allowed to bear the palm. The books were published by the author, and are now offered to the public by Messrs. H. Sotheran and Co.
Previous page
