386 Bibliographical Notices. 
sumptuous guide to the mammals of their country. We would 
suggest, however, to Mr. Thorburn that he should consult a syste- 
matist with regard to nomenclature: the continued use of such 
archaic generic names as “‘Vesperugo” is to be deprecated. 
The Natural History of South Africa— Mammals. In Four 
Volumes. By F. W. Frrzsimons, F.Z.S. &c., Director, Port 
Elizabeth Museum. London: Longmans, Green, and Co. 8vo. 
Vol. 1 (xiv+178), 2 (xi+194), 1919; 3 (xili+278), 4 (xix+ 
271), 1920. 
Mr. Frrzstmons is the fortunate possessor of a sound first-hand 
field-knowledge of the fauna of South Africa. He has great powers 
of shrewd observation, and is gifted with a very pleasing style. 
In these first four volumes of his Natural History he gives an 
excellent and most refreshing account of the habits, life-histories, 
and economic importance of the mammals of South Africa. While, 
from the standpoint of the pure systematist, these volumes are, 
perhaps, of little importance, they cannot fail to assist those who 
endeavour to interpret variations of form by differences of function. 
The chief value of the work lies, however, in a totally different 
direction. The rapid decline and extinction of so many of the 
larger South-African mammals is, no doubt, to be regarded as the 
necessary, though regrettable, concomitant of advancing civilization. 
But just as in Britain, so in South Africa—ignorance, self-secking, 
and vandalism march considerably ahead of civilization. The 
country, whether we view it with the disinterested eyes of science 
or sentiment, or with the more selfish vision of economics and 
industry, has been made much the poorer by the relentless persecu- 
tion of all wild mammals, and particularly of te smaller Carnivora. 
It is to be hoped, therefore, that Mr. Fitzsimons’s book will find its 
way into the hands of all the younger citizens of South Africa. 
Such an account can hardly fail to arouse enthusiasm in the breasts 
of the rising generation, and should lead them, in due course, to 
take a keen and enlightened interest in the welfare and preserva- 
tion of what is now left of the fauna of their land. 
A full systematic list of South-African species and subspecies of 
the various orders dealt with is given in each of the four volumes. ~ 
The technical names in these lists were examined in the Mammal 
Department of the British Museum, and it is believed that not 
many errors remain. But some errors of nomenclature are still to 
be noticed in the text of the first volume and in the legends of some 
of the illustrations. These are small matters, which can easily be 
put right in future impressions of the book. It remains to be said 
that each volume is pleasingly illustrated by numerous photographs, 
and that the printing and binding is up to the standard expected 
from Longmans. 
