194 
NATURE 
[DECEMBER 31, 1903 
acquainted with the fact that the conformation of the 
skull and the position of the horns are quite enough 
to refute this, apart from the circumstance that the 
““ bibovines ’’? exhibit a specialised, and the bisons the 
primitive, type of coloration. Again, on p. 351, we 
are told that the ewes of the European miuflon are 
invariably hornless. 
Many remarks might be made with regard to the 
author’s knowledge of extinct mammals, but perhaps 
it will suffice to indicate the extent of this by refer- 
ence to a passage on p. 270, where we are calmly told 
that the Pliocene brachydont Rhinoceros etruscus is 
identical with the Pleistocene hypsodont R. lepto- 
rhinus! If this be not enough, we may refer to p. 
291, where it is suggested that the extinct Sedgwick’s 
deer may be allied to the Oriental rusine group. 
Evidently the author does not know the difference 
between a “ brow-tined ”’ and a “ fork-tined ’’ antler, 
as. indeed, may be gathered from certain statements 
in regard to supposed roe-antlers later on in the work. 
Passing on to the modern British fauna, a few lines 
may be devoted, in the first place, to the author’s 
nomenclature. We are glad to see that, in the case 
of the generic names of the bats, modern usage is 
followed. We also note that in this group the author 
follows the ‘‘ Scomber-scomber’’ usage, thus calling 
one species Myotis myotis. This being so, we fail to 
see why the otter and the badger are not respectively 
termed Lutra lutra and Meles meles, in place of Lutra 
vulgaris and Meles taxus. It is well to be consistent 
even in nomenclature! Still more surprised are we 
to find the weasel designated Putorius vulgaris on p. 
161 and P. nivalis in the illustration on p. 163. 
In the notice of Bechstein’s bat, the author states 
that Mr. Millais took a specimen in 1902, whereas he 
should have written 1901, and he seems unaware that 
in the former year a note was published in regard to 
a specimen taken in 1886. In treating of the smaller 
rodents, the author has totally ignored the work of 
modern specialists. For instance, in the case of the 
squirrel, there is no mention of the fact that the British 
animal is regarded by specialists as a distinct form, 
which should be known as Sciurus leucurus if ranked 
as a species, or as S. vulgaris leucurus if a subspecies. 
Again, although mention is made of its seasonal colour- 
changes, the important fact that there is a curious 
difference in regard to the shedding of the coat on the 
body and on the tail is left unrecorded. Full refer- 
ence should have been made to the paper by Mr. 
Thomas on this subject. Worse remains to be told in 
the case of the mice. In describing the wood-mouse, 
the author records and names five local races. 
Evidently, therefore, he considers such races worthy 
of notice. On turning, however, to the common 
mouse, we find no mention of the Hebridean wild form 
described by Captain Barrett-Hamilton as Mus muralis 
in 1899, while there is an equal lack of reference to 
the local forms of the harvest-mouse named by the 
same writer in that and the following year, and con- 
sequently the omission of the full title of the British 
race, namely M. minutus minimus. Neither is there 
any reference to the fact that the British short-tailed 
field-vole should be known as M. agrestis neglectus, as 
NO. 1783, VOL. 69] 
pointed out by Captain Hamilton in 1896. Bearing in 
mind what has been said with regard to the local races 
of the wood-mouse, we can only attribute these 
omissions to ignorance on the part of the author— 
ignorance for which there is not the faintest shadow 
of an excuse in these days of up-to-date Zoological 
Records. 
Other instances of this type might be quoted. We 
pass on to notice, however, that on p. 296 the author 
has actually reproduced figures of certain antlers from 
Scotland, published by Mr. Millais as those of the roe- 
buck, although it has long since been shown that the 
specimens in question are antlers of the South American 
pampas-deer which by some means had got into Scot- 
land. Not content with this, Sir Harry proceeds to 
argue that these “‘ fork-tined ’’ antlers approximate to 
the red deer type. Evidently his lack of knowledge 
of antlers is on a par with that shown in connection 
with zoological literature, 
After so much fault-finding, we are glad to record 
that the author calls the ancient wild ox by its proper 
name of aurochs, although, here again, if he would 
but take the trouble to read the descriptive label in 
the Natural History Museum he would find that his 
views as to the relationship of the white park cattle 
(which he will persist in calling wild) are far from 
being up to the level of those who know anything 
about the subject, and are acquainted with the mean- 
ing of albinism. 
Among the most attractive features of the work are 
the coloured plates, all of which have been reproduced 
from original water-colour sketches by the author him- 
self, whose artistic taste and powers are well known. 
Unlike the pictures of animals which we are accus- 
tomed to see in zoological publications, these sketches 
are designed from a decidedly artistic standpoint, 
and are admirably suited to a work of this nature. 
Many of the illustrations in black and white are also 
by the author, and are, for the most part, both life-like 
and artistic. We should, however, like to know what 
authority there is for depicting the long-eared bat (p. 
105) with the ears depressed, while the wings are 
extended. 
In conclusion, we may say that, had the author con- 
tented himself with writing a book of a less pretentious 
style, and ignored anatomy and subspecies, we should 
have had less cause to find fault with his effort. As 
it is, a thoroughly accurate, complete, and up-to-date 
book on British mammals has yet to be written. 
Reve 
THERMODYNAMICS. 
Treatise on Thermodynamics. By Dr. Max Planck, 
Translated by Alexander Ogg, M.A. Pp. xii+272. 
(London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1903.) Price 
7s. 6d. net. 
od Rca important part played by thermodynamics in 
modern physics, and especially in chemistry, is 
a sure guarantee that an English translation of Prof. — 
Planck’s work will receive a warm welcome in this 
country. It deals with the first and second laws, — 
changes of state, systems defined by any number of | 
