1899] MULTUM IN PARVO 297 



MULTUM IN PARVO. 



Insects : their Structure and Life. A Primer of Entomology. By G. H. 

 Carpenter. Small 8vo, pp. viii. + 404, with 183 illustrations. Lon- 

 don : J. M. Dent and Co. Price 4s. 6d. 



In this book the author traverses most of the very wide field of the division 

 of zoology he is dealing with. Although the great extent of his subject pre- 

 vents him from discussing moot points in detail, yet he succeeds in giving a very 

 fair general idea of the present state of entomological science and of the sub- 

 jects that have been predominant in the discussions of the last twenty-five years. 



If any fault is to be found with the book it is that its subject has been ex- 

 tended unduly by the inclusion of matter that is not specially entomological. 

 The chapter on the classification of insects is chiefly devoted to natural selection, 

 causes of variation, and kindred topics. These matters are, however, set forth 

 in a spirit and manner that no one can object to ; and, though their predomi- 

 nance is scarcely consistent with the title of the work, it is probable that one of 

 the author's objects was to show the bearing of entomology on these more 

 general subjects. We hope that the work will find many readers, and that most 

 of them will approve the wide view the author has taken of his subject. 



The book is copiously illustrated and well got up. Most of the 183 illustra- 

 tions, called figures, are really combinations of numerous figures. They have 

 been well selected, and their execution, except in a few cases, is satisfactory. 

 There is also a very useful and sufficiently extensive bibliographic list, and good 

 index. Altogether, the work may be strongly recommended to purchasers who 

 wish to give only a small sum for a trustworthy introductory work on this sub- 

 ject. They will receive excellent value for their money. D. S. 



THE MAMMALS OF FRANCE. 



Faune de France — Mammiferes. By A. Aclogue. 12mo, 84 pp. 



Paris, 189'J. 



To treat adequately of the mammals of France within the compass of eighty- 

 four duodecimo pages, especially when a large portion of the space is occupied 

 by introductory matter and illustrations, would seem an almost impossible task. 

 Nevertheless, with the assistance of irritatingly minute type, and much "boil- 

 ing-down " of matter, Monsieur Aclogue has succeeded not only in enumerating 

 all the species, both wild and domestic, met with in France, but also in giving 

 the leading characteristics of both genera and species, as well as of the larger 

 groups. 



Nothing, however, is said as to habits, and but little in regard to the details 

 of local distribution and variation. And as the two latter features are those 

 alone which would render the work of importance to zoologists of other 

 countries, it can scarcely be said to be altogether satisfactory. 



As it would appear from the title that the complete work is intended to 

 include the entire fauna of France, the author may perhaps be induced to pay 

 more attention to these points in subsequent parts. The character of the 

 illustrations might, too, be improved with advantage. And there is likewise 

 room for some amendments in nomenclature ; Arvicola, for instance, being- 

 retained for the voles, while ,the martens figure as Martes in place of Mustela. 

 Still, in spite of its imperfections, it is useful to have a work containing all the 

 representatives of the French mammalian fauna. 



