SOME: NEW BOOKS. 
SCHARFF’S EUROPEAN FAUNA. 
The History of the European Fauna. By R. F. SCHARFF. Contemporary 
Science Series, 1899. Pp. vii.+ 364, Illustrated. London: Walter 
Scott, Ltd. Price 6s. 
For many years Dr. Scharff, of the Dublin Museum, has been turning his 
attention to the important question of the origin and relations of the existing 
fauna of Europe. And the present volume, which includes the substance of a 
paper previously published, embodies the results of his investigations so far as 
they have been hitherto carried. Whatever may be the precise value of such 
results and conclusions, it may be unhesitatingly conceded that it is a great 
convenience to workers to have them in the form in which they are now 
presented. One great and praiseworthy characteristic of Dr. Scharfi’s work is 
to be found in the thorough manner in which he has looked up and quoted 
previous observers on the subject ; and, if for no other reason, the little volume 
before us will always have a very considerable value on account of the views 
and opinions of a host of specialists which are brought together and contrasted 
and correlated. Moreover, the author has drawn his conclusions from almost 
all groups of animals, although admitting that the evidence derived from certain 
of these groups is entitled to much more weight than that afforded by others. 
In regard, then, to the perseverence and energy which he has brought to bear 
on avery difficult task, Dr. Scharff is clearly entitled to our best congratulations. 
But whether he has succeeded in establishing the views he holds in such a 
manner as will lead to their general acceptance, is quite another matter. 
As the author correctly points out, the fauna of Europe, as a whole, is a 
complex, including a mingling of essentially Arctic types with those of a 
Lusitanian or Mediterranean origin, as well as those characteristics of the heart 
of the area itself. Moreover, Dr. Scharff likewise accepts the view that a 
Siberian, or north-east Asiatic, element has been introduced into the fauna. 
With all these we are prepared to agree; but we venture to think that the 
author is much too fond of drawing wide-reaching conclusions from a very 
small amount of fact. Especially is this the case with regard to the “ migra- 
tions” of which he is so constantly speaking. Asan instance of what we mean, 
we may refer to the common hare and the wild boar, both of which are regarded 
as “Oriental immigrants” into Europe. Now, without venturing to deny that 
the author may be right in this contention, we do not hesitate to say that he 
has not adduced any evidence which is entitled to a moment’s consideration in 
favour of such a view. 
But in other instances it is not want of evidence that we have to deplore, 
but an actual misapprehension of the facts. The most glaring case of this is 
afforded by the inductions drawn from the reindeer of Europe. Here it is 
stated that two types of reindeer occur fossil in Europe, one of which, together 
24—wnat. sc.—VOL. XV. NO. 93. ao7 
