1418 Journal of Applied Microscopy 



CURRENT ZOOLOGICAL LITERATURE. 



Charles A. Kofoid. 



Books and separates of papers on zoological subjects should be sent for review to 

 Charles A. Kofoid, University of California, Berkeley, California. 



Sand, Rene. Etude Monographique sur le Since the publication of Blitschli's 



Groupedes Infusoires tentaculiferes. 441 pp. monograph of the Protozoa no more 



24 pis., Bru.xelles, 1901. Extrait des Ann. „„.„.,.:„„„ fli<;p„ccinn of these interest- 

 de la Soc. Belg. de Micros. T : 24, 25 et 26. pretentious discussion ot tnese interest 



ing forms than this of Dr. Sand has 

 been attempted. The morphology, taxonomy, and especially the ecology of the 

 group, are treated at length. Full synoptic keys for the determination of all 

 known species are provided, and a synonymic bibliography is given for all 

 recognized forms. The author rejects the idea that the Siidoria have been 

 derived from the Ciliata, and seeks their ancestors among the Heliozoa. The 

 ciliated embryos of the Siictoria are mere adaptive phenomena .without phylo- 

 genetic significance, and still further, according to our author, the fundamental 

 biogenetic law is not applicable to the Protozoa. The Suctoria are found in 

 fresh, brackish, and salt waters, most abundant in the last, on Bryozoa and 

 hydroids at depths of 10 to 20 meters. In fresh water they are most abundant in 

 stagnant pools. In fresh water aquarium cultures they appear after the carnivor- 

 ous Ciliata, which succeed the herbivorous forms. A very large number of kill- 

 ing fluids and stains were tried, but best results were obtained by the following 

 simple method : Kill in 2 per cent, osmic acid, wash in water to which a trace 

 of ammonia has been added, and mount under a cover-glass in a drop of acetic 

 methyl green prepared in these proportions : 



Distilled water, 80 c. c. 



Alcohol, 0.4°, lOc.c. 



Concentrated glycerin, . . . 10 c. c. 



Methyl green, 0.5 gm. 



Glacial acetic acid, . . . . 2 c. c. 



As the fluid evaporates about the preparation 10 per cent, glycerin is added. 

 Bordeaux red, borax carmin, and a mixture of safranin, methyl violet, and eosin 

 gave good results. The peduncle was stained by chrysoidin. Dehydration and 

 mounting in balsam usually deforms the Suctoria. c. a. k. 



Chapman, F. M. Bird Life; a Guide to the Study Anew edition of this well known work 



of our Common Birds. With 75 colored adds colored figures of one hundred 



plates after drawings by Ernest Seton , . j 1 • 1 fir o^-^^v, XT,.v,-fV, a .,-..^,-; 



Thompson. Populaf colored edition, 8 vo. selected birds of Eastern North Amen- 



pp. xii and 195, with 25 illustrations and an ca. Mr. Thompson's lifelike and 

 appendix for use of teachers. Pp. 85, 190 1. _ • -.^j Hrawinfrs have been colored 

 D. Appleton & Co., New York. 52.00. spirited drawings nave oeen coiorea 



under the direction of Mr. Chapman, 

 and are here reproduced, thus greatly enhancing the value of the book to amateur 

 students of birds and to teachers of nature-study and biology in the secondary 

 schools. The teacher's appendix contains many suggestions for utilizing the 

 book in the class-room, and especially in the field. Fortunately there is no hint 

 of taxidermy or birds-nesting in its pages. c. a. k. 



