370 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
Mr. G. Busk communicated some researches on the Polyzoa collected 
in the late North Polar Expedition. Several interesting and new 
forms are given, while the author expressed himself as differing in his 
determination in certain cases from that arrived at by Prof. Smitt, of 
Stockholm. 
A paper “On the Natural Classification of the Gasteropoda” (Part 1.}, 
by Dr. J. D. Macdonald, was read. He refers to a paper of his published 
by the Society twenty years ago, wherein sexual characters, lingual dentition 
and auditory concretions formed the basis of classification. With modifica- 
tions this is elaborated, and in certain groups additional value is accorded to 
the lingual and labial dentition. : 
The sixth contribution to the “ Mollusca of the ‘ Challenger’ Expedition,” 
by the Rev. R. Boog Watson, wherein the author treats of the T'urretellida, 
and describes nine new species, was taken as read. 
A paper by Sir John Lubbock, Bart., M.P., was read, namely, “ Obser- 
vations on Ants, Bees, and Wasps, with a description of a new species of 
Honey Ant.” In this, his seventh contribution on this subject, Sir John 
related his fresh experiments on their powers of communication.—J. Muri. 
NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 
A Classification and Synopsis of the Trochilide. By Danteu 
GirarD Expiot, F.R.S. 4to, pp. 277. Philadelphia, 1879. 
In this important monograph, which forms No. 317 of the 
“Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge,” Mr. Elliott has 
described every species of Humming-bird known to him which in 
his opinion is entitled to a separate rank; and those who have 
not made any special study of these very beautiful birds will 
probably be surprised to learn that no less than 426 species are 
recognised. ‘This is a fewer number of species than had been 
described by previous writers, but Mr. Elliot, after a careful 
examination of specimens and descriptions, has satisfied himself 
that a great many forms previously supposed to be distinct, and 
described under different names, are in reality inseparable, and he 
has accordingly united them. 
From the partial examination which we have been able to 
make of this work, we believe that the number of species might 
be still further reduced with advantage; for we fail to perceive 
either the necessity or desirability of recognising as specifically 
