Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 3 (1899).djvu/258

232 (Acridium (Schistocerca) paranense); in one case the average was a Locust to a pound of the Alfalfa (Lucerne) hay which was landed from Buenos Ayres; in another instance there were no fewer than two hundred specimens in one truss. Such food, it need scarcely be pointed out, is at least highly suspect for Horses. We might multiply extracts to show that these reports are of the first interest to agriculturists, farmers, and rearers of stock, whilst to the naturalist and entomologist they embody a series of faithful life-histories.

only the farmer and the agriculturist, but also that numerous class whose urban prosperity permits rural residence and pursuits, frequently seek—and sometimes vainly—for some authentic information respecting the animal friends and foes with whom they are brought in contact. As a rule, farmers are not zoologists, nor are all country residents naturalists, consequently the few books which now exist on the subject—and we must not overlook Miss Ormerod's excellent contributions—may be well supplemented. Mr. Theobald's profusely illustrated volume is a compilation which contains much scientific matter over and above animal biography and narrative. It grapples largely with modern animal classification, detailing some anatomy, but more physiology. And as the book is likely to fall into the hands of those who have received no particular biological instruction, it should serve a good purpose. To such readers it is most opportune to show that zoology and botany are only divorced sections of natural history, not necessarily distinct sciences. When Mr. Theobald discusses animals and plants, he is forced to acknowledge:—"In fact, there is no hard-and-fast line to be drawn between these two organic groups. Such lowly creatures as Volvox are treated by botanists as plants, whilst the zoologist includes them in the Protozoa." Organic nature lends herself to the systematiser, or she could neither be studied nor understood, but she still remains one and indivisible.

A good word is said for the usefulness of those furred and