NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 311 
discovering that each in his own particular line knows more than the 
author does of that line, and if some two or three such specialists 
talk over the book together they are apt to come to the conclusion 
that the poor author has not been very successful in his undertaking. 
Now this conclusion is not necessarily just, and it certainly would not 
be just in the present case. Of course we should have no difficulty 
in pointing out several passages wherein we are aware, either from 
our own knowledge or from the information of expert friends, that 
Mr. Pascoe is behind the existing state of science, or has not 
reproduced in the most accurate manner the results at which the 
latest workers on some particular groups have arrived; but that 
would be an ungracious task, and one from which we gladly abstain. 
We must not compare the general systematizer with the specialist, 
but with other general systematizers. We need mention no names, 
but we have made the comparison, and from it, we think, Mr. Pascoe 
comes out very fairly. There never has been a system, and in our 
day we never expect to see one, that could stand a test so severe 
as some would impose. We might say that all would like to im- 
pose, because it is clear that to impose such a test with reason can 
only come to pass when Zoology is far further advanced towards 
perfection than, in spite of its legions of votaries, there is any 
chance of happening for a long time. 
Mr. Pascoe’s book can hardly fail to be useful. Without being 
able to pronounce it a very extraordinary production, we are bound 
to say that it has some great merits. To take even the lowest view 
of it, and to treat it merely as an Index to the Animal Kingdom 
we do not hesitate to say that the author deserves well of his 
zoological brethren for having published it. Every one knows how 
new genera and larger groups are being multiplied day by day, and 
how it is becoming almost impossible for a man, even of the greatest 
zeal, to keep himself sufficiently informed of these matters to read 
intelligently an article in any periodical that treats of Natural 
History generally. This handy little book will often supply the 
knowledge wanted, when a work of greater pretension would be 
troublesome to consult or perhaps not available for reference till 
the occasion for using it had passed away. Should Mr. Pascoe, 
as we hope he may, have the opportunity of bringing out a new 
edition, perhaps he will pardon us for suggesting that he would 
do well to submit the pages containing each group to the best 
authority thereupon that he can find. We are sure he would thus 
