172 THE NATURAL HISTOET REVIEW. 



lionidae — which is likewise the most extensively developed group in 

 the corresponding parts of the Old World. 



The differentiation and description of these 20 species of Bats has, 

 we think, been effected by Dr. Allen in a fairly satisfactory way. 

 The characters of the genera and species are well drawn up and precise, 

 and are accompanied by numerous woodcuts illustrating the dentition, 

 the form of the ears and tragus, the outlines of the interfemoral mem- 

 brane, and other characteristic parts of the structure of the different 

 species. Dr. Allen has certainly not erred on the side of creating too 

 many species — nay, if any fault is to be found with our author on this 

 subject, it should probably be just the other way. It is certainly re- 

 markable that only 20 species of Chiroptera should occur within the 

 whole of the large area of America north of Mexico, when even little 

 Europe produces upwards of 25 species. If we are not much mis- 

 taken future researches are destined to add not immaterially to our 

 knowledge of the North American Chiroptera. 



XVII. — The Eatjna of Spitsbergeis^. 



(1.) Anteckningar till Spetsbergens Fogel-Fauxa. Af A. 

 J. Malmgren. (Efversigt af Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens 

 Forhandlingar. 1863. p. 87. 



(2.) Iakttagelser och at^teckntngar till Finmarkens och 

 Spetsbeegens D^ggdjtjrsfatjna. Af A. J. Malmgren. Ibidem, 

 p. 127. 



Spitsbergen is a "No-man's land" — to which of the Powers of 

 Europe it rightly belongs is probably beyond the knowledge of 

 the most profound international lawyer to decide. We, therefore, 

 need not be surprised that hitherto Zoologists have had but a very 

 incorrect notion of its animal productions, and are accordingly 

 greatly indebted to Mr. Malmgren for his carefully drawn up lists 

 of the Beasts and Birds, which throng the deeply recessed fjords, 

 or the precipitous shores of this horribly inhospitable country. 



At least four expeditions have been sent out by our own Govern- 

 ment, within the last ninety years, with the- object of taking a start 

 from Spitsbergen, and then sailing to the North Pole, or as far in 

 that direction as circumstances would allow. Our business is not 



