Abstract
MR. CORNISH'S books are widely known, and thoroughly deserve their popularity. He delights in the observation of live animals, especially birds; he describes with detail, yet with animation; and his sketches are rich in human interest. Few better books could be offered to a young fellow fond of nature, but not loving to take his pleasure too seriously. They inspire the love of close observation, and will help to make naturalists of a particularly good kind-men who will study their animals alive, and amidst natural surroundings. The illustrations are attractive, and some of the photographs from life included in this volume are acquisitions to natural history. Critics are bound to be critical, and we shall notice the trifling matters which we would see amended in another edition. A naturalist, bred in another part of England, may be puzzled by such local words as “marrum grass,” “crab grass,” and “king crab.” The present writer wants to know what they are, but cannot easily find out. The comparison of the shrimp and prawn (p. 87) is not exact, and we are startled to read of the hundred mouths o of the sea-anemone (p. 81). A little more information might have been given about the food, and especially about the winter-food, of the beaver. This would have led to an explanation of the purpose of the dam. But Mr. Cornish does not attempt to tell all; what he tells is told so pleasantly that we long for more.
Nights with an Old Gunner, and other Studies of wild Life.
By C. J. Cornish. With illustrations. Pp. xii + 307. (London: Seeley and Co., Ltd., 1897.)
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
M., L. Nights with an Old Gunner, and other Studies of wild Life. Nature 57, 29 (1897). https://doi.org/10.1038/057029a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/057029a0