Farm and Garden Insects. By William Somervillsr. (Macmillan and Co.)—Mr.
Somerville gives us in this little volume a number of curious and interesting facts. The interest, of course, lies chiefly in the abnormal development of insect Ltfe. All life, indeed, repays study, but general interest in this *-Ucular pro- vince begins when the phenomenon assumes unusual proportions. All the farm and garden insects known may exist in 'one's close neighbourhood unobserved, as long as only the ave e number of individuals are observed. When some cause fav arable to their multiplication occurs, then our attention is arres tad. Mr. Somerville describes these creatures, tells us what ca ses bring about their unusual multiplication—turns them, in otl er words, from an ordinary phenomenon into a plague—what otl er causes 1, are at work to check their increase, finally what man can do to ■ counteract or assist Nature. All these things have an obvious interest. Not the least remarkable is the suggestion which Mr. Somerville makes, but naturally does not enlarge upon, that the "' artificial introduction of contagious diseases [among insectel may ultimately rank amongst the most successful eradicative measures." This, however, is in the future. Meanwhile there are more immediate "resources of civilisation." No less than twelve preventive or remedial measures are prescribed for the fly in turnips.
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