Junior Biology by J. W. Stork; L. P. W. Renouf; Plant and Animal Ecology by J. W. Stork; L.P. W. RenoufReview by: T. T. F.The Irish Naturalists' Journal, Vol. 5, No. 3 (May, 1934), p. 71Published by: Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25532324 .

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May, 1934;] The Irish Naturalists' Journal.- 71

the Ramondia of the Pyrenees to make its home in an Irish garden or in the life story of the Ulota, or the Bryum,

" its likes and dislikes, its plaoe

m moss society . . ? the intimate whispers of its nuptial hours." Lack of space precludes more than a passing reference to the many

beauties of the book; outstanding are the word pictures of Mary's garden,, the vagaries of Porotrichum alopecurum, "Poro" for short; and the "great

waves which broke with a thunder of guns, and sent their scouts to reconnoitre the ground which would soon be theirs by right of conquest." If it is possible successfully to blend science and fiction, Mr. Megaw has succeeded.

W. S.

Junior Biology, Stork & Renouf. x + 219 pp., illustrated, 5/ .

London : John, Murray. Plant and Animal Ecology, Stork & Renouf. ix -f 197 pp., illustrated, 5/-. London : John Murray.

It may be said that mankind seems at last to be waking up to the

importance of a general knowledge of fundamental biological problems, and their useful application for the well-being of humanity itself. , It has taken a long time for the biological darkness of the Middle Ages to be dissipated by the candles lit by the exponents and upholders of modern research. Too long has man looked outside himself instead of looking within. The machine with which he plays and works and accomplishes wonders has been the object of his solicitude without his ever having given sufficient attention to the well-being of the living organism on which the invention and control of these machines depend. But recent advances in our

biological knowledge, notably as regards the vi tannines and the action of the endocrine glands, seem at last to.have aroused in the layman a real thirst for scientific knowledge which should as far as possible be satisfied.

That is why we welcome the publication of these small books, written as they are by distinguished authors of knowledge and experience. The former of them is intended to fill the gap whioh exists between Nature

Study as taught in our schools and the more serious Study of Biology. It is extremely simply written with a wealth of easy experiment and

original illustrations. It can be highly recommended not only to students of elementary biology but to the general reader who "would like to obtain an accurate knowledge of the subject in a simple way.

As regards Stork & Renouf s Plant and Animal Ecology; we know of no book so simply written which covers the same ground, and none so suitable for elementary students. It is necessary that such a book should be well illustrated. The book is above criticism in this respect and its usefulness is increased by the inclusion of chapters dealing with simple classifications and hints on collecting and preserving the plants and animals

collected on excursions. It is a work that can be greatly recommended. T. T. F.

CORRESPONDENCE. " BIRD LIFE ON THE SALTEES."

Sir,-^I was very interested in the recent article on "Bird Life on the

Saltees," by Reginald S. Pollard, M.Sc, as I have visited the Islands on a number of occasions. In 1911 I was there in company with the late Mr.

R. M. Barrington and Mr. R. J. Ussher; there were then- quite a number of Manx Shearwaters nesting. In Irish Naturalist for October, 1913, p. 182, R. LI. Praeger writes:?" Manx Shearwaters have even invaded the

farm-land, and breed in holes in the earth and stone fences." I heard them myself in 1913, and on other occasions since that date. The last occasion I was on the Saltees was in July, 1931, when I heard shearwaters

very late one night, as well as I remember about 12.30 a.m. So far as I could make out they were still nesting towards the eastern end of the

island, where I had observed them in 1911. My sons and myself made a list of the birds we observed,, in July, 1931, on the Greater Saltee, as follows :*^-Hooded Crow, Magpie, Jackdaw, Chough, Wheatear, Rock

Dove, Robin, Common Wren, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Skylark, Swallow,

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