66 NATURAL SCIENCE. Jan., 



treated at great length, incorporating in a general way the latest 

 results of systematic zoologists ; and the volume concludes with two 

 chapters on Pigs and Rhinoceroses. Unlike most authors who 

 furnish Zoology for the general reader, Mr. Lydekker makes numerous 

 allusions to the extinct forerunners of the " Big Game " he describes ; 

 and there is a pleasant tinge of philosophy in " Horns and Hoofs "' 

 which one rarely meets with in works of its class. 



CoNCHYLioLOGiE Francaise. Les Coquilles des eaux douces et Saumatres 

 DE France. By A. Locard. 8vo. Pp. 327, with figures in text. Paris: J. B- 

 Balliere & Son, 1S93. Price 18 frs. 



The present volume is one of a series by the same author on the 

 shells (not the mollusca, be it noted) of France. Its scope is suffi- 

 ciently indicated if ''recent and quaternary " be added to its title. 

 The work is an admirable example of the modern French school at its 

 very worst, and is eminently calculated to dishearten any student who 

 should attempt to use it, and cause him to abandon all pursuit of 

 the subject in disgust and despair. The figures are, compared with 

 the number of "species" described, few and poor; the descriptions are 

 inadequate and confusing ; while the whole work is superficial to a 

 degree. Every slight variation in the form of the shell is held suffi- 

 cient ground for making a distinct " species," and as such most 

 synonyms and bad varieties are consequently ranked. The rows and 

 rows of these under Lyiiino'a, Phnorbis, Pisidium, and Unio are, for 

 instance, bad enough, but the author fairly "beats the record" 

 under Anodon. Where Isaac Lea, who was no mean hand at species- 

 making, could only see one, Locard makes two genera with 279 

 species ! Further comment is needless. 



British East Africa or Ibea : A History of the Formation and Work of the 

 Imperial British East Africa Company. By P. L. McDermott. Pp. xvi., 382, 

 with map. London : Chapman & Hall, 1893. Price 6s. 



At a time when the system of the extension of the Empire by 

 means of Chartered Companies is on its trial, this history of one 

 which has had a rather unfortunate career is very opportune. The 

 book is almost entirely political, and is a.n ex parte statement of the 

 case for the Company against its foes, both official and unofficial. It 

 gives but little information about the country ; what little there is has 

 been written in such an optimistic spirit, and the statements are so 

 vague and general, that one may be excused for distrusting it. One 

 could have wished that some of the lengthy quotations from leaders 

 in The Times had been replaced by extracts from the unpublished 

 reports of the various experts, geological, agricultural, and mining, 

 who have been employed by the Company. As the future of the 

 district must largely depend on its economic resources, the public 

 would be in a better position for judgment had such materials been 

 placed before it instead of the story of the Company's past discussions 

 with the Foreign Office. As the work has been written by a paid official 

 of the Company at the instance of its chairman, we have no right to 

 expect impartiality and the insertion of matter that is not to the credit 

 of the Company ; and we have not got it. For example, we are told 

 about the station at Dagoreti as if it were still flourishing and in exis- 

 tence ; as a matter of fact, it was abandoned by the Company's 

 ■officers and immediately burnt by the W'akikuyu some years ago, and 



