92 Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society. 
ships, are the more painfully evident the greater the 
knowledge of the real structure and affinities. But the 
necessity is obvious, and all that can be done is to make such 
an arrangement as little as possible discordant with facts.” 
Again (p. 85), speaking of the sub-class Hutheria (Mono- 
delphia), with which alone we have here to do, they make the 
following observations :—“ Their affinities with one another 
are so complex that it is impossible to arrange them serially 
with any regard to natural affinities. Indeed, each order is 
now so isolated that it is almost impossible to say what its 
affinities are; and none of the hitherto proposed associations 
of the orders into large groups stand the test of critical 
investigation. All serial arrangements of the orders are 
therefore perfectly arbitrary ; and although it would be of 
very great convenience for reference in books and museums 
if some general sequence, such as that here proposed, were 
generally adopted, such a result can scarcely be expected, 
since equally good reasons might be given for almost any 
other combination of the various elements of which the 
series is composed.” 
I may here mention that for the capture of Mice, Voles, 
and Shrews, I use a small trap known as the “Cyclone mouse- 
trap”—an American patent—and find it most effective. It. 
consists of a metal plate about two inches square, to which 
are attached two strong spring “jaws” of single wires, which, 
when the trap is unset, rest on the edges of the foot-plate, so 
that the whole instrument occupies very little space, thus 
permitting of a number being carried in the pocket without 
inconvenience. When exposed to damp they are apt to become 
rusty, which impedes the action of the springs, but this is 
easily obviated by the application of a little oil or vaseline. 
For bait I have generally used cheese, cake of any sort, or a 
piece of apple, but on the suggestion of Mr W. D. Roebuck 
of Leeds, I have lately tried powdered aniseed, and find it 
remarkably attractive to most of the micro-mammals. 
My best thanks are due to many friends and corre- 
spondents—Mr Eagle Clarke in particular—for valuable 
assistance rendered in a variety of ways. | 
