704 NATURAL SCIENCE. j^^v.. 



number of specimens, so that the naturalist will be able not only 

 to learn the maximum dimensions of the horns or antlers of the 

 \arious species, but likewise their average size. Where\er it has been 

 practicable to do so, the locality whence each specimen was obtained, 

 as well as its present ownership, is also recorded. The illustrations, 

 many of which have been specially executed for the work, are in the 

 main good, and render the volume much more attractive than it would 

 otherwise have bef'n. 



In most cases Mr. Rowland Ward is well up to date in regard to 

 scientific nomenclature, though he has unfortunately retained a few 

 names which have long ago been consigned to the oblivion of 

 synonyms; and he might, we think, in regard to Indian mammals, 

 have been better advised had he followed Mr. Blanford's recently 

 completed monograph of that subject. Among the figures we notice 

 that the one given on page 239 as that of the head of the common 

 African Rhinoceros {R. bicovnis), is really one of Burchell's Rhinoceros 

 {R. siinus) ; clearly showing (although not altogether satisfactory) the 

 truncated upper lip, long nasal orifice, and tall tubular ears of the 

 latter. In tlie table of measurements given on the same page we also 

 notice that the second longest Rhinoceros horn known (54 inches) is 

 put down as belonging to R. bicoynis ; whereas, on turning to page 194 

 of Mr. Selous' " Hunter's Wanderings in Africa," we find that it 

 really pertained to R. siinus. Indeed, no known horn of the former 

 comes anywhere near these dimensions. We have also observed 

 certain inaccuracies with regard to distribution, which would have 

 been better avoided. 



Much as we may regret them as tending to mislead the non- 

 scientific sportsmen, these little inaccuracies scarcely, however, 

 detract from the zoological value of the work, as those versed in 

 the study of mammals will detect most of them without great 

 difficulty. 



Since the amount of labour involved in taking the various 

 measurements, most of which were made by the author himsel/, must 

 have been enormous, Mr. Rowland Ward is to be congratulated on 

 the energy and perseverance which have enabled him to complete 

 his arduous task, and thus to produce a book which, while invaluable 

 to the sportsman, is at the same time of the highest importance to the 

 working zoologist. R. L. 



The Sportsman in South Africa. By J. A. Nicolls and W. Eglington. 8vo. Pp. 

 vi. and 147. Plates. London : The British and Colonial Publications Co., 1892. 

 Price, I OS. 



The stream of works on South African animals and sport seems 

 endless, but the one before us is decidedly above the average, and is 

 worthy to rank alongside Mr. Selous' well-known volume. It is 

 stated on the title page that the object of this work is to describe the 

 haunts, habits, form, and pursuit of all the so-called game animals — 

 both mammalian and avian — which are to be found in the country 

 lying to the southward of the Zambesi ; and, so far as we can judge, 

 this task has been carried out very creditably. The most striking 

 feature of the book is the excellence of the illustrations, which com- 

 prise upwards of 68 figures, contained in twelve plates. The figures 

 are executed by some process with which we are unfamiliar, but which, 

 from an artistic point of view, is deserving of the highest praise, and 

 is far above the level of the ordinary woodcut. This artistic excellence 

 is, moreover, obtained without any loss of fidelity to nature ; and some 



