Insects and insecticides.

Abstract

Mr. Galton's " Finger Prints" is a volume made up of various essays and observations, which have engaged him for several years, on the external anatomy of the papillary ridges on the extremities of the thumb and fingers. He has found that they remain singularly individual in character througlh long periods of life, antd thus may serve for purposes of identification. They are slightly hereditary and have little or no ethni(value. 'I'hey do not appear to be correlated to mental ability, temperament, 01, character. The volume as a whole presents an admirable model of a closely scientific investigation of a somatologic point; and perhaps is as valuable in this respect as for any definite results reached. STUDENTS of living things have not inaptly been divided into two general classes, naturalists and biologists; the former includ-delight in studying the actions of living beings on their native heath, in the coppice beside the brook, or amid the silence of the forest. Among-the biologists are found the great mzajority of modern students whose days are spent in the laboratory , and who care little for a living organism until it has been killed, dissected, frozen, and cut into infinitesimal slices by the microtome. Without attempting to discuss the relative merits of these two methods, it will readily he admitted that the naturalists can put into their writings much more of that humanitarian interest wbich gi es the charm to literature. Readers of Mr. Brad-ford Torrey's ' Birds in the Bush " and " A Rambler's Lease " wvil know wlhat to expect in wandering with him along the present 'Foot-Path Way." 'I'hey are not likely to be disappointed. Bpsides glimpses of rare warblers and individual l)eculiarities of common birds, they will now and then see a beautiful lan(dscape, or hear the murmur of a mountain brook, while mingled with all they will find much delightful plhilosophy. They will go to beautiful Franconia in June to learn ';How good life is at its best! And in such 'charmeed days, Wheni the genitus of God doth flow,' wviat cu,re we for science or the objects of science.-fom grosbeak or crossbill (may the birds forgive me !) or the latest novelties in willows? I am often wlhere fine music is played, and never without being interested; as men say, I am pleased. But at the twentieth time, it may be, sometlhing touches rmy ears, and I …