136 



ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



Of this work, Part I., which was issued on the 26th October, 1894, 

 and which contains 64 Royal Svo pages, lies before us. The 

 immediate scope of the present and the three succeeding parts is to 

 present a full and precise general view 'of the science of conchology as a 

 whole, and the volume which they form will be a necessary preliminary 

 to the full detailed and exhaustive account of the British species which 

 is to follow in the second and succeeding volumes. The part now 

 under review first gives a definition of Conchology, then follows with 

 History, Classification, Nomenclature, and Synonymy ; after which, 

 the Shell, its structure, forms, sculpture, measurements, etc., are 

 treated of in every possible way ; after which are given weighty 

 observations with reference to species and varieties, with which the 

 part terminates. 



It is a pleasure to review a work like this, which evidences on 

 every page, indeed in every line, the wonderful amount of care and 

 attention which Mr. Taylor has devoted to its preparation. Accuracy 

 and precision are throughout conspicuous, and withal the interest 

 of the reader is sustained by the admirable manner in which Mr. 



Taylor's terse diction conveys a full mean- 

 ing in comparatively few words. Then 

 again no expense appears to have been 

 spared in the production of the work ; 

 for it is most profusely illustrated by 

 blocks inserted in the text, 138 in num- 

 ber. One of these we have the pleasure 

 of reproducing with its full description. 

 This illustration is itself interesting as 

 the first occasion of the attachment of 

 the columella muscle being figured at 

 all. Full credit, as will be seen, is given 

 by Mr. Taylor to his collaborators : a 

 commendable practice which he carries 



FIG. 130. Heli-\~ pomatia L., 

 Nieder Kaufungen, near Cassel. 

 Collected by Mr. P. W. Munn. 



attachment of the columella muscle ou ' c systematically throughout the book, 



(from a section cut by Mr. F. Rhodes). , , i ,, 



and which adds most materially to its 



value. The frontispiece is a coloured plate of excellently executed 

 figures. 



In conclusion, we congratulate Mr. Taylor on the production of 

 a work which is well worthy of his reputation, alike as naturalist, 

 author, and artist, and would urge all who are in any way interested 

 in the Mollusca to possess themselves of this work. 



