l88 GENERAL REVIEWS. 



A Monograph of Christmas Island (Indian Ocean): Physical Features and 

 GeoloL^y. 15y Charles W. Andrews, with descriptions of the Fauna and Flora 

 by numerous contributors, pp. xv+237, 21 pis, map, and figs in text. 

 London : 1900. Published by order of the Trustees of the British Museum. 



Christmas Island represents an area of about 43 square miles, and is situated about 

 190 miles from the nenrest land, the intervening ocean attaining a depth of 

 over 3 miles. lis limited fiiuna, it would seem, has been derived from the Sunda 

 Archipelago, of which it probably once formed a part. 



The account of the recent mollusca has been written by Mr. Edgar A. .Smith, 

 who described II diflTerent forms from this island in 1888, 9 of which have been 

 collected by Mr. Andrews, besides single specimens of Opeas sitbnld, Mclampvs 

 mstanciis, and Assiminca andreirsiana, nn. spp. Seven of the 14 recorded species 

 are peculiar to this island, but "they belong to genera the species of wliich have no 

 very striking characters.'' All the species are figured. 



The fossil mollusca, from the reef-limestones, are described by Mr. R. Bullen 

 Newton. The identifications that have been possible would seem to indicate the 

 modern character of these shells. 



The work is illustrated by 22 plates, many of which are coloured, a map, and 

 numerous figures in the text. All concerned in the production of this interesting 

 volume are to be congratulated. — W. E. C. 



