282 General IS^otes 



the society indicates, its activities are devoted more 

 particularly to American labourers; but it nevertheless 

 embraces subjects of general interest and importance^ 

 as is shown by the pages of its Journal, such as dis- 

 cussions upon classification, lists and reviews of all 

 publications upon mammalogy, and even papers upon 

 exotic mammtals. Membership consists of ordinary 

 members elected upon recommendation and contributing 

 an annual subscription of three dollars), honorary mem- 

 bers and patrons. Additions to the roll are solicited, 

 and those desirous of joining the society should communi- 

 cate with the Corresponding Secretary, Dr. Hartley T. 

 Jackson, Biological Survey, Washington, D.C. The 

 society started with a membership of over two hundred 

 and fifty, and when it has become more generally known 

 is sure to add enormous!}^ to its numbers, so that its 

 success is assured, as it deserves to be. 



The first number of its Journal contains the following 

 papers, covering fifty one pages and two plates : — 

 Bats from Mount Whit}iey, by Glover M. Allen. 

 Criteria for the recognition of Genera and Species, 

 by C. Hart Merriam. 



This is a discussion upon the intergradation of species 

 and higher groups and their definition, a subject which 

 has troubled the minds of systematists since the days of 

 Linne and still does so more than ever. It invites dis- 

 cussion, and another point of view is expressed by P. A. T. 

 Taverner in a later number of the Journal. 

 The Mammals of South-eastern Washington, by Lee 



Raymond Dice. 

 Preliminary Notes on African Garnivora, by J. A. Allen. 



This article is of special importance to African students. 

 The generic name of Aonyx is found to be applicable to 

 the Cape Clawless Otter alone, the Asiatic species com- 

 monly associated witli it being removed to a new genus 

 Micraonyx. New genera are described in OSBORNICTIS, 

 allied to Genetta, for 0. piscivora, a new species, and in 



