VO i's^ VI ] Recent Literature. 201 



Linnseus's ' Systema Naturae' has been taken as the starting point for 

 binomial nomenclature, and with slight exceptions, strictly adhered to 

 throughout the whole series of volumes, notwithstanding the fact that in 

 recent years the tenth edition of the ' Systema' has become the general 

 starting point. It therefore unhappily follows that in many cases the 

 names, both generic and specific, adopted in the ' Catalogue', are not in 

 harmony with those that must stand, according to the present consensus 

 of opinion on this important point. 



Again, the use of trinomials for the designation of subspecies had not 

 become greatly in vogue, at the time the 'Catalogue' was begun, and 

 although seyeral of the authors engaged on this work had adopted them 

 at the time they prepared their respective portions, the orignal plan of 

 employing binomials for all forms recognized was adhered to to the end. 

 In respect to the 'Scomber scomber principle', the rule has yaried, the 

 different authors haying been apparently left to their own inclinations in 

 this matter, with the result that some have retained specific names for the 

 species to which they were originally given when later used as generic 

 names, while some have not, thus giving rise to instability in a large 

 number of names, whatever the ruling may be respecting the ' Scomber 

 scomber principle.' 



A uniform method has been employed in designating type species, 

 namely, by giving the name as it stands under the genus to which it is 

 referred by the author of the ' Catalogue ' instead of the full name, generic 

 and specific, given it by its original describer. This is not a serious 

 matter, but one frequently giving rise to some inconvenience if one desires 

 to go over the ground for himself. 



Marked improvement in respect to the fullness and character of the 

 bibliographical citations has marked the progress of the work, the later 

 volumes well meeting the most rigid requirements, while the earlier 

 volumes were deficient and variable in point of completeness, and defec- 

 tive as regards the scope of the reference, even generally omitting, in the 

 case of special works, the highly convenient and often important item of 

 date. In other words, the authors have kept well in touch with the 

 improved methods that have characterized in this respect, ornithological 

 literature in general. The last seven or eight volumes are far in advance of 

 most of their predecessors, while some of the later ones leave little to be 

 desired in the way of further improvement. 



Passing now to Volume XXYI, it is enough to say, b}- way of general 

 remark, that in method of treatment and completeness it is equal to the 

 best of the series. It embraces the Platalea? (Ibises and Spoonbills) and 

 Herodiones (Herons and Storks), by Dr. Sharpe, and the Steganopodes 

 (^Cormorants, Gannets, Frigate Birds, Tropic Birds and Pelicans), the 

 Pygopodes (Divers and Grebes), the Alcie (Auks), and the Impennes 

 (Penguins), by Mr. Ogilvie Grant. The Platalese number 33 species, with 

 21 genera, and the Herodiones, 120 species with 48 genera; the Steg- 

 anopodes number 66 species, with 6 genera; the Pygopodes 52 species 



