86 The Irish Naturalist. May, 



REVIEW. 



BRITISH AND IRISH MAMMALS. 



A History of British Mammals. By Gerald E. H. Barrett-Hamilton, 

 B.A. (Cantab.), M.R.I^, F.Z.S. Witli 27 full page plates in 

 colour, 54 in black and white, and upwards of 250 smaller 

 illustrations, drawn by Edward A. Wilson, B.A., M.B. (Cantab.). 

 London : Gurney and Jackson. (Parts I. to IV. October, 1910, 

 to February, 191 1. Price, 25. 6d. each). 



Every zoologist whether professor, amateur or sportsman, will be 

 gratified to see the above work commenced by such a competent naturalist 

 as Major Barrett-Hamilton. Bell's " History of British Quadrupeds," 

 edited in 1874 by Tomes and Alston, has for over 30 years been looked 

 upon as the best available book of reference on this subject, notwith- 

 standing its age and the larger and more costly volumes since written 

 by others, who can scarcely claim to have really studied the subject. 

 Barrett-Hamilton, on the other hand, has devoted himself for years to 

 the study of Mammals generally and the Kodents in particular, both in 

 the museum and as a tield naturalist, at home and in distant countries. 



His work is intended to be completed in 2i\ parts to be bound in three 

 volumes, and on looking over the four parts now under review, and just 

 published, one is inclined to ask whether too much has not been attempted. 

 Perhaps the scheme is too elaborate, for, in the preliminary notice it is 

 stated, " no such work has ever been written or attempted in the English 

 language, ' and in this connection one is inclined to recall the Shakesperian 

 warning against " vaulting ambition." 



Roughly speaking, there are 70 British land and aquatic Mammals, 

 and, in the four parts issued only 8 have been completely dealt with in 

 208 pages. This shows the exhaustive character of the book and the 

 value given for the modest subscription of 25. 6d. each part. Copious 

 references prove that the author was educated in a bibliographical 

 atmosphere, and one would sometimes imagine that his old master, the 

 late Professor Newton of Cambridge, was at his elbow when discussing 

 (jucstions in nomenclature. 



The author tells us that at first he merely intended to produce a new 

 edition of Bell's " Quadrupeds," but the idea had to be abandoned, and, 

 the entire work is lirand new. It will be divided into three sections — • 

 the first dealing with Bats or Flying Mammals, the second with the Land 

 Mammals, and the third with the Aquatic Mammals, which in this case 

 are all marine. The following points are dealt with under each species : — 

 Synonymy, Local Names, Distribution in space and time. Gestation, 

 Description and Anatomy where it illustrates specific difference or 

 variation. Habits, &c. 



The illustrations drawn by Dr. Wilson, of antarctic fame, are numerous 

 and good. Amongst tlie coloured ones may be mentioned, the Hare 

 skins in Part ii., where the tlifference in size and colouration between 



