60 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



REVIEWS. 



THE HISTORY OF THE EUROPEAN FAUNA. By R. F. Scharff. 



This is a reproduction in book form of a paper which appeared 

 not very long ago in the " Proceedings of the Royal Irish 

 Academy" (3rd Ser. vol. iv., 1897), and which has now been 

 altered so as to suit its present more popular form. It is an 

 example of modern methods of attacking the problems of the 

 geographical distribution of life upon our globe methods which 

 certainly compare very favourably with those which are to be found 

 in some other recent but only professedly up-to-date publications. 



In the space at our disposal it is impossible to give the book any- 

 thing like the review it deserves. We may, however, point out that 

 the author's object is to split the members of the European fauna 

 and flora into their various component groups, whose birthplaces he 

 then traces to other parts of the world, and in addition indicates the 

 probable paths by which they advanced to their present habitat. 

 The British Isles are taken as a sort of convenient index area to 

 Europe, so that no British naturalist, whether or no he agrees with 

 Dr. Scharff, can afford to ignore his work. In fact, Dr. Scharff 's 

 book must prove a most valuable work of reference even to the 

 bitterest opponents of his theories. Absolutely free from errors no 

 one could expect it to be ; but it is, without doubt, a most straight- 

 forward and conscientious attempt to grapple with some of the most 

 interesting problems which a naturalist has to face, and which will 

 undoubtedly help the advance and influence the direction, in its 

 widest and best sense, of the study of the Geographical Distribution 

 of Animals. G. E. H. B. H. 



AN ILLUSTRATED MANUAL OF BRITISH BIRDS. By Howard 

 Saunders, F.L.S., F.Z.S., etc. Second Edition, revised. (London : 

 Gurney and Jackson, 1899.) 



The chief ornithological event of the year which has just closed 

 has been the completion of the new edition of Saunders's " Manual." 



The first edition was issued in 1889, and by sheer excellence, 

 coupled with utility, it deservedly took a first place among 

 books on British birds ; and thus a very large edition (several 

 thousands of copies) was sold in less than a decade very practical 

 appreciation of an excellent book. However good the first edition 

 of this work may have been, and was, this second edition is im- 

 measurably superior in every respect. It has been revised with 

 the most painstaking care, is up to date in all respects, and has 

 been enriched with no less than twenty new and acceptable illustra- 

 tions some of new British species, while others replace not very 

 satisfactory portraits. Such a well-known and highly appreciated 

 work needs no recommendation at our hands, but we desire to offer 

 Mr. Saunders our most hearty congratulations on the completion of 



