1^93, SOME NEW BOOKS. 149 



the stream rapid." Surely the statement of two independent 

 observers requires refutation before it is authoritatively asserted that 

 emeus are the only Ratites that naturally take to the water. 



R. L. 



Dr. H. G. Bronn's Klassungen und Ordnungen des Thiek-reichs. — Aves. By 

 Hans Gadow, Ph.D. IV. Abtheilung. 42 u. 43 lieferung. 



The anatomical portion of this most important work was completed 

 some few months since, and we have now before us the first two 

 numbers of the systematic part. Veritably they are children of 

 promise, and, unless we are much mistaken, the sum of Dr. Gadow's 

 labours will be two invaluable volumes, each the perfect complement 

 of the other, beautifully symmetrical, nicely balanced. 



In these two parts Dr. Gadow presents us with a pithy sketch, 

 which practically embraces all that is worth knowing in the history of 

 Systematic Ornithology. Beginning with an " Historical Survey," 

 he tells us that only those systems have been noticed which have 

 either advanced — or hindered — our knowledge, as well, also, those 

 which, although possessing practically no influence to-day, yet are of 

 interest, inasmuch as they serve by reflected light to illuminate pre- 

 ceding systems. This is surely a wise course, inasmuch as it will 

 enable us to appreciate much that would otherwise of necessity have 

 remained more or less obscure. 



After briefly referring to the three great epochs in the history of 

 avian classification, so ably demonstrated by Dr. Sharpe in his 

 " Review of Recent Attempts to Classify Birds," the author has a few 

 words to say anent the errors of yesterday, and the dangers of 

 employing one particular character, after the fashion of patent 

 medicines, to remedy all evils and solve all difficulties. Next follow 

 some thirty-four examples of the most important systems of classifica- 

 tion, beginning with that of Linnaeus in 1735, and ending with Dr. 

 Sharpe's in 1891. In every case we have appended a brief yet all- 

 sufficient summary, giving the chief points of interest or importance. 

 Of these the author has selected for special mention some dozen 

 examples, Huxley, Garrod, Sclater, and Newton being amongst the 

 number. 



The classification of Linnaeus is shown to have been based upon 

 the work of our countrymen Willoughby and Ray, of whom we are 

 justly proud. Be it noted that Dr. Gadow here awards them full 

 credit for their labours, considering them the founders of " Systematic 

 Ornithology." To Merrem belongs the honour of having founded the 

 sub-classes Ratitae and Carinatae, which have received recognition in 

 every system of importance up till now. Nitzsch, with his researches 

 in the Carotias, Osteology and Pterylography, and Miiller on the 

 organ of voice in the Passeres, have placed us under an everlasting 

 debt. With Huxley's classification, the author tells us, began a new 

 epoch, and, indeed, his work is too well known to need comment here. 

 To Garrod, Dr. Gadow points out, we owe much. The Homalogo- 

 natous and Anomalogonatous arrangement of the muscles of the leg, 

 the Holorhinal and Schizorhinal condition of the nostrils, the patagial 

 muscles of the wing, and the syringeal muscles, are all points upon 

 which this indefatigable worker enriched our knowledge. Garrod 

 attacked the vexed problems of Ornithological Classification with 

 intense zeal and a very considerable amount of success, but, as we 

 are remined, not entirely without error. Fiirbringer's work is 



