NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 157 
the latter author (who follows White) with the long-previously- 
described Cancer serratus of Shaw. 
A propos of the subject of systematic nomenclature, we may 
observe that Prof. Huxley identifies all the specimens of British 
Crayfishes that have passed through his hands with the species 
or variety designated torrentiwm by Schrank; as, however, it must 
be difficult, if not impossible, to determine to which of the modern 
species Fabricius applied the name of fluviatilis, we trust it may 
yet be found possible to preserve for the common Crayfish of 
Great Britain the name which has so long been applied to it 
in our systematic works—the designation, namely, of Astacus 
Jlwviatilis. 
The Fauna of Scotland: with special reference to Clydesdale and 
the Western District—Mammalia. By Epwarp R. Ausron, 
F.L.S., F.G.S. 8vo, pp. 89. Glasgow: published by the 
Natural History Society of Glasgow. 1880. 
In this recently published catalogue by Mr. Alston we have a 
section of a comprehensive work on the Fauna of Scotland, 
projected by the Natural History Society of Glasgow, the 
preparation of which has been entrusted to different naturalists, 
each of whom has taken up some special group. Mr. Alston 
does not enter into any details of description or economy, which 
may be found elsewhere, but confines his remarks strictly to 
the department of geographical distribution, endeavouring at the 
same time to reconcile the spirit and the letter of the British 
Association rules for nomenclature, by selecting the first clearly 
defined name for each species, while avoiding all unnecessary 
changes of well known and generally accepted names. As a 
result, Mr. Alston has produced a catalogue of practical utility 
and value, his tables of the comparative distribution of British 
Mammals in England, Scotland, and Ireland being especially 
interesting. As regards their distribution in Scotland there is 
still a good deal to be learnt, particularly in the islands; but 
Mr. Alston has made the most of the materials at his command, 
and has smoothed the path for future investigators by pointing 
out what is already known on the subject, and indicating in 
what respects further information is desirable. 
