380 Revie^vs and Book Noiices. 



Mr. C. D. Sherborn, the compiler, for the care, the acciiracj', and the 

 precision with which he has carried out a work which has occupied liim 

 eig-ht years. 



The enormous mass and extent to which scientific hterature has attained 

 in these latter days is well exemplified by the fact that this portly volume of 

 over 1,200 pag-es only deals with the names which have been applied to the 

 various forms, species and genera of animals only for the 42 years 

 extending from 1758, the date of the tenth edition of the Systema Naturae 

 of Linnajus, to 1800, and that there are about 61,600 entries. The formid- 

 able task remains of dealing- with the literature of 1801 to 1903, and although 

 the actual crop of names to be garnered from it may not be equal pro- 

 portionally, the area of investigation — i.e., the literature to be examined — 

 is tremendously larger than that of the period dealt with in this first 

 instalment. 



The object of the work is to save the time of systematic zoologists and 

 to obviate the danger of making needless synonymy by furnishing a full 

 list of all the names which have been conferred upon animals, and giving- 

 the exact date of each name, together with a reference to the place where 

 described which shall be intelligible to the zoologist and the layman alike. 

 This has been so well accomplished that the work is a model of simplicity 

 and lucidity, and so far as we have been able to test it the entries are not 

 merely correct, but give all the information needed, and no more than is 

 necessary. 



We are pleased to note that the plan adopted by botanists in the ' Index 

 Kewensis,' a similar work, of arranging under genera, has not been 

 followed, the present work having its entries arranged under species, in 

 harmony with the zoological view that the species is the real and true 

 entity as regards questions of nomenclature. 



One incidental benefit to British science conferred by this work is that 

 the British scientific libraries have been strengthened by the acquisition of 

 much literature which, when the preparation of the manuscript commenceti, 

 was not to be found in England. 



In concluding this notice, we wish to emphasise the importance of 

 dictionary works of this class — and to urge upon all who wish to further 

 the advancement of science the desirability of adding to their own libraries, 

 or to those of public institutions in which they take interest, works of the 

 character of the ' Index Animalium,' and to wish Mr. Sherborn — and his 

 sister — JTealth and strength to complete so great and splendid a monument 

 of industr\', skill, and acumen. 



♦>* 



Insect Folk. Margaret W. Morley. Ginn & Co., London. 204 



pp. 2S. 



Ways of the Six Footed. Anna B. Comstoch. Ginn & Co., 

 London. 152 pp. 2S. 



The first of these attractive-looking books is prepared for children and 

 is written in simple language. It is profusely illustrated, and cannot but 

 be of interest to young readers. The chapters are headed : — ' Our Pretty 

 Dragon Flies,' 'The Grasshopper Tribes,' etc. Under 'The Great Bug 

 Family ' we have ' A Bad Bug [sketch]. Now, here is a bug we all loathe. 

 It is roiu-Rl and flat, and reddish-brown in color, and it has a disgusting 

 odor. But, though we hate this bug, it is very fond of us' ! 



'Ways of the Six Footed' appeals to a little more advanced students, 

 and is even better illustrated, some of the pictures of insects and land- 

 scapes being charming. Ants, bees, wasps, grasshoppers, etc., etc., are 

 dealt with in a very attractive manner. Both can be recommended as 

 gift books to young naturalists, though several of the illustrations, words, 

 and methods of sj^elling will be unfamiliar to English readers. 



' Additional Notes on the Roos Carr Images ' is the title of Hull Museum 

 Publication No. 14, Ma\' 1903. id. 



Naturalist, 



