Pahjeontology. 



structure, deserving the attention of evei'y one engaged in the 

 study of that class of organic bodies. 



2. A full synopsis of the palaeozoic Radiata, Articulata, and 

 MoUusca, by M. de Vorneuil. The species are all admirably 

 described, and full details of great interest are given respect- 

 ing their affinities, synonyms, and distribution. A great num- 

 ber of new and curious forms are made known for the first 

 time. In that part which treats of the Brachiopoda, M. de 

 Verneuil has given the results of a critical investigation of the 

 genera, accompanied by tables of characters of the greatest 

 value. He has constituted a new genus, Siphonetreta, for the 

 reception of certain very curious fossils, which, while present- 

 ing much of the form of Terebratulce, are really allied to Orbi 

 culw, and have the same corneous texture of shell. Among 

 the palaeozoic Acephala, he has described a well-marked species 

 of Astrea, a genus hitherto having only doubtful claims to such 

 high antiquity. Among the Gasteropoda, lanthina, for the 

 first time, appears as a palceozoic genus. 



In the account of the Badiata are interesting descriptions 

 and comments on the Russian species of Cystidece. Among the 

 Articulata is the genus Fusulina, a foraminiferous animal 

 abounding in certain beds of carboniferous limestone in Russia. 

 Hitherto, traces of such animals in such ancient beds have been 

 few and imperfect. 



3. The Jurassic, cretaceous, and tertiary mollusca are de- 

 scribed in full detail by M. D^Orbigny, and their synonyms care- 

 fully elaborated, — a service for the rendering of which we can- 

 not be too thankful, since duplicate names have accumulated 

 to a most confusing extent. As an instance, it may be men- 

 tioned that M. D'Orbigny enumerates as synonyms of the Am- 

 monites Jason of Zieten, no less than fourteen distinct names. 



The plates throughout are admirable. 



The history of fossil radiate animals has received one of 

 the most important additions ever made to it, in the memoir 

 of M. von Buch on the Cystidece ; a memoir of the greatest 

 value to the naturalist, since it furnishes him with an elabo- 

 rate and philosophical exposition of the organization and af- 

 finities of a group of fossil animals hitherto misunderstood, 



