498 SCIENCE PROGRESS 



The arrangement here adopted is that put forward by Patouillard in 1900 

 in place of the system of Fries upon which previous Floras, even that of Smith, 

 were based. 



It is indicative of the growing interest in the subject that, whereas the 

 " Fungus Flora" of Massee published in 1892 enumerated 1,980 species of 

 Basidiomycetje, the present work describes no less than 2,546. Of this total 

 the Homobasidise (Gasteromycetales, Agaricales, Aphyllophorales, and 

 Exobasidiales) embrace 2,477, 'the remaining 69 species of the Heterobasidise 

 being chiefly members of the saprophytic families. Three groups of the 

 parasitic Heterobasidiae, viz. the Pucciniineae, Coleosporiineae, and Ustila- 

 gineae, are not dealt with in this volume. 



For each species a fairly full description is given of the macroscopic 

 characters, of which the more important are indicated by the use of italics. 

 Microscopic details, respecting the spore dimensions and the nature of the 

 cystidia, are furnished for most species, whilst a very useful addition is that 

 of references to where figures of each species can be found. 



It adds considerably to the value of the descriptions that no small portion 

 of these twenty-five hundred species have been seen by the author in the 

 living state. Notes are also added as to the habitat and frequency, the period 

 of development of the fruit body, and the significance of the Latin names. 



Having regard to the adoption of an unfamiliar classification, the author 

 has thoughtfully provided a key, occupying nineteen pages, to the genera and 

 larger aggregates. 



The thanks of botanists generally and mycologists in particular are due 

 to the author for this excellent handbook, which represents the fruition of 

 thirty years of labour. The format maintains the high standard we are 

 accustomed to look for from the Cambridge Press, and we owe it to the 

 subsidy provided by members of the British Mycological Society that the price 

 renders this book one of the cheapest scientific works that has appeared in 

 recent years. 



E. J. S. 



ZOOLOGY 



British Mammals. Written and illustrated by A. Thorburn, F.Z.S. [Vol. I, 

 pp. 84 ; Vol. II, pp. 108 ; 50 plates in colour and pen-and-ink sketches 

 in the text.] (London: Longmans, Green & Co. Price /lo los.) 



We have at length had the pleasure of receiving the second volume of Mr. 

 Thorburn's British Mammals, making it possible to review the work as a 

 whole, and to give fuller attention to Vol. I than was considered advisable 

 in the short preliminary notice that has already appeared (Vol. XVI, p. 490). 

 In size, appearance, and general arrangement these volumes match 

 Mr. Thorburn's two previous works in the same series, " British Birds " 

 and " A Naturalist's Sketch-book," and they are as beautifully produced. 

 There is one noteworthy difference — the descriptive text accompanying the 

 plates is considerably fuller.. The author contributes but little original 

 material, the notes being chiefly citations of other writers. They contain 

 a wealth of information, and are admirably selected. For most of the species 

 dealt with enough descriptive and anatomical details are included to make 

 the letterpress an invaluable supplement to the plates for purposes of iden- 

 tification. The notes further include observations on life-habits, distribution, 

 past and present, and, in the case of the rarer animals, the recorded occurrences 

 that entitle them to a place on the British list. In this connection it may be 

 noted that the inclusion of the Walrus in Vol. I has led to the writing of 

 a special appendix to Vol. II. Here the author states that " As exception 

 has been taken to the inclusion of this species (the Walrus) as a British 

 mammal, it may be interesting to note that Mr. Henry Jamieson, Keeper 

 of the Skerries Lighthouse, Shetland, reports the occurrence of a Walrus which 



