Proceedings of Scientific Societies. 291 



consistent general application of the binary nomenclature in zoology. 

 The date 1758 therefore, is accepted as the starting-point in zoological 

 nomenclature and of the Law of Priority.' 



The work also takes account of the use of trinomials for sub-species in 

 the following words : — ' As to the use of trinomials for sub-species, or, 

 better, geographical or local races, does not seem to be generally under- 

 stood, it may here be explained that when a species is divided into two 

 or more races, or when two or more species are grouped as races of one 

 species, then each of these races must have a trinomial appelation. It 

 is impossible to say which is the oldest or parent form, therefore, the first- 

 named race of all those grouped under one species is arbitrarily:- taken as 

 the tj-pical race, and its name becomes that of the species. 



' Thus Parns niajor is the species of the Great Tit, and includes all the 

 Great Tits just as the genus Pants includes all the Tits. As the form of 

 Great Tit inhabiting northern Europe was the first to be named, it must 

 be called Pants major niajor, and all other names of Great Tits must have 

 as their first two names Pants major. Similiarly the typical race of Wren 

 must be called Troglodytes troglodytes troglodytes if it is to be distinguished 

 from Troglodytes troglodytes hirtensis, or any other race of Wren. It must 

 be understood that the binomial Parns major or Troglodytes troglodytes 

 refers to the species, i.e., the whole group of sub-species, and cannot be 

 xised to differentiate one of those sub-species. It cannot be gainsaid 

 that the trinomial system is of the greatest possible use scientificall}' as 

 demonstrating the close relationship of geographical forms of the same 

 species, just as tlie binomial system demonstrates the relationship of 

 species of the same genus.' 



The work before us, in dealing with Parns major (to continue the 

 example quoted), shows us on page 42 under the heading parus major, that 

 the Continental Great Titmouse, Pants major major, as named by Linnaeiis 

 Pants major, was named from a Swedish specimen, and, although living 

 here, differs from Pants major newtoui of Prazak, which is a race confined 

 to the British Isles, so far as is at present known. For these differences 

 the reader is referred to the original literature as this book does not pro- 

 fess to be descriptive. But the distribution of the two forms is carefully 

 given, and the synonyms pointed out. 



Having thus briefly sketched the object and aims of this book, we can 

 only commend it to the reader as of extreme value, and no little interest 

 generally, from its careful introduction dealing with nomenclatorial 

 questions, and its conscientious handling of a difficult and complicated 

 subject. We thank Dr. Hartert and his collaborators for their pains, and 

 entirely agree with the greater part of their conclusions, which are based 

 on direct and careful investigation of original sources. 



PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 



The Belfast Museum has issued its publication. No. 33, being its Quar- 

 terly Notes, No. XXI. It contains notes on local medals and tokens, 

 the Donegall family, and the House Fly. It is illustrated. 



The Proceedings of the Geologists' Association (Vol. XXIII. , part 3), 

 contain a paper on ' The Classification of Palaeolithic Stone Implements,' 

 by Reginald A. Smith. The Association seems to have had a good round 

 of visits to museums and private collections, reports upon which appear 

 in the same part of the Proceedings. 



The Report and Proceedings of the Manchester Field Naturalists' and 

 and Archaeologists' Society for the year 191 1 has recently appeared, and 

 contains details of the Club's various field meetings, which have a strong 

 botanical and archaeological flavour. The Society paid a lengthy visit 

 to Yorkshire, which is fully reported, and includes a good account of a 

 lecture on the birds of the county, by Mr. Riley Fortune. 



1912 Sept. I. 



