SOME NEW BOOKS. 



Marsupials. 



A Handbook to the Marsupialia and Monotremata (Allen's Naturalists' 

 Library). By R. Lydekker, F.R.S. 8vo. Pp. xvi., 302, with 38 coloured 

 plates. London : W. H. Allen & Co., 1894. Price 6s. 



In this volume the author gives a concise account of all the known 

 species of the Marsupialia and Monotremata. Under each specific 

 name we find (i) a list of synonyms, (2) a diagnosis of the species, 

 (3) distribution, (4) an account of the habits and mode of life. More- 

 over, each family and genus is the subject of a short descriptive 

 account, and the whole is prefaced by a general introduction. The 

 design of the book, which is based avowedly upon Mr. O. Thomas's 

 Catalogue of the Marsupialia and Monotremata in the British Museum, 

 is, indeed, excellent, and renders reference to any point easy. There 

 are both systematic and alphabetical indexes. 



In the introduction the author remarks that " it is not to the 

 credit of the present generation that the working zoologist has for 

 the most part to rely for his knowledge of the habits of the greater 

 number of Marsupials upon observations — admirable in their way — 

 published many years ago " ; but in spite of this deficiency most 

 readers will be thankful for the very interesting accounts here 

 brought together of the habits of the various species, and we may 

 echo the hope of the author that the appearance of this book may 

 stimulate those who have the opportunities to add to our knowledge 

 in this direction. 



The book is thoroughly up to date, and includes descriptions of 

 the more recently discovered species. The most interesting of these 

 is the curious Marsupial Mole {Notoryctes typhlopsy, of which a com- 

 plete description and a good figure are now rendered easily accessible 

 to the general reader. The affinities of this remarkable animal have 

 been the subject of some discussion, but it is now definitely proved 

 to be a true marsupial, having, however, some striking points of 

 resemblance with the Cape Golden Moles (Chrysochloris), which belong 

 to the Insectivora. This similarity is particularly marked in the case 

 of the teeth, and in this connection the author makes a statement that 

 appears open to objection. He remarks that " the exact similarity 

 between the molar teeth of the two is somewhat difficult to explain, 

 although it may probably be accounted for by both having retained 

 this primitive type of tooth from early ancestors." Now, it seems 

 highly improbable, to say the least, that two animals belonging to two 

 totally different groups, both highly specialised in relation to a peculiar 

 mode of life, should have retained the primitive character of the teeth, 

 which so readily undergo modification. It appears far more likely 

 that in these cases, as in many others, the tritubercular teeth ajre by 



1 See Natural Science, vol. i., pp. 37 and 247. 



