50 abstracts: zoology 



at Manua, Samoa, during the total solar eclipse on April 28, 1911. 

 On Plate 10 is a full-size reproduction of the photograph obtained of 

 the eclipse, showing the coronal extensions corresponding to a period 

 of minimum sun-spot activity. 



The concluding report is concerned with the results of the comparisons 

 of magnetic standards obtained by observers of the Department, dur- 

 ing 1905 to 1914, both at magnetic observatories and in the field among 

 themselves. It has been found possible with the aid of the accumulated 

 data to fix on world or "international magnetic standards" designated 

 I.M.S., which apparently yield values of the magnetic elements within 

 an absolute accuracy of about O.'l or 0/2 in declination and inclination, 

 and about 0.01 or 0.02 per cent in the value of the horizontal intensity. 



J. A. F. 



ZOOLOGY. — A review of the American moles. Hartley H. T. Jack- 

 son. North American Fauna No. 38, Bureau of Biological Sur- 

 vey, U. S. Department of Agriculture. Pp. 100, plates 6, text 

 figures 27. September 30, 1915. 

 This paper includes descriptions of the 28 species and subspecies of 

 moles inhabiting America. One subspecies, Scapanus orarius schefferi 

 is described as new. Pages 5 to 26 are devoted to introductory matters, 

 in which are discussed among other topics the habits and economic 

 status of moles, characteristics and development of the young, pelages 

 and molts, time of molting, manner of molting, geographic variation, 

 individual variation, sexual variation, age variation, seasonal variation, 

 and history. There are two keys to the genera of American moles; 

 one based upon external characters, the other upon cranial and dental 

 characters. 



The American moles include five genera: Scalopus, Scapa?ius, 

 Parascalops, Condylura, and Neiirotrichus. A detailed description of 

 each genus is given, following which are a key to the species and sub- 

 species of that genus and a systematic discussion of each form. Under 

 each species or subspecies are given the synonymy, type locality, data 

 of type specimen, geographic range, general characters, color, descrip- 

 tion of skull, measurements, remarks upon the relationships and dis- 

 tribution of the form, and an enumeration of the specimens examined. 

 The illustrations include maps of the distribution of each form, 

 etchings of external parts showing generic characters, and half-tones of 

 skulls. H. H. T. J. 



