SOME NEW BOOKS. 



SCHARFFS EUROPEAN FAUNA. 



The History of the European Fauna. By R. F. Schakff. Contemporary 

 Science Series, 1899. Pp. vii. + 364, Illustrated. London: Walter 

 Scott, Ltd. Price 6 s. 



For many years Dr. Scharff, of the Dublin Museum, has been turning his 

 attention to the important question of the origin and relations of the existing 

 fauna of Europe. And the present volume, which includes the substance of a 

 paper previously published, embodies the results of his investigations so far as 

 they have been hitherto carried. Whatever may be the precise value of such 

 results and conclusions, it may be unhesitatingly conceded that it is a great 

 convenience to workers to have them in the form in which they are now 

 presented. One great and praiseworthy characteristic of Dr. Scharff's work is 

 to be found in the thorough manner in which he has looked up and quoted 

 previous observers on the subject ; and, if for no other reason, the little volume 

 before us will always have a very considerable value on account of the views 

 and opinions of a host of specialists which are brought together and contrasted 

 and correlated. Moreover, the author has drawn his conclusions from almost 

 all groups of animals, although admitting that the evidence derived from certain 

 of these groups is entitled to much more weight than that afforded by others. 

 In regard, then, to the perseverence and energy which he has brought to bear 

 on a very difficult task, Dr. Scharff is clearly entitled to our best congratulations. 



But whether he has succeeded in establishing the views he holds in such a 

 manner as will lead to their general acceptance, is quite another matter. 



As the author correctly points out, the fauna of Europe, as a whole, is a 

 complex, including a mingling of essentially Arctic types with those of a 

 Lusitanian or Mediterranean origin, as well as those characteristics of the heart 

 of the area itself. Moreover, Dr. Scharff likewise accepts the view that a 

 Siberian, or north-east Asiatic, element has been introduced into the fauna. 

 With all these we are prepared to agree ; but we venture to think that the 

 author is much too fond of drawing wide-reaching conclusions from a very 

 small amount of fact. Especially is this the case with regard to the "migra- 

 tions " of which he is so constantly speaking. As an instance of what we mean, 

 we may refer to the common hare and the wild boar, both of which are regarded 

 as " Oriental immigrants " into Europe. Now, without venturing to deny that 

 the author may be right in this contention, we do not hesitate to say that he 

 has not adduced any evidence which is entitled to a moment's consideration in 

 favour of such a view. 



But in other instances it is not want of evidence that we have to deplore, 

 but an actual misapprehension of the facts. The most glaring case of this is 

 afforded by the inductions drawn from the reindeer of Europe. Here it is 

 stated that two types of reindeer occur fossil in Europe, one of which, together 



24 — NAT. sc. — vol. xv. no. 93. 357 



