Reviews — Guide to Palceontology. 279 



and Amphibia' was still in the press at the time of publication of 

 the ' Guide,' but numerous figures of Reptiles and Labyrinthodonts 

 have been taken therefrom, and the author has had the opportunity 

 of seeing the proof-sheets. This will account for the appearance in 

 part ii. pp. 65-66, of the new name Metoposaurus, which has been 

 proposed in the 'Catalogue' to replace the preoccupied one of Metopias. 



In the great majority of instances some explanation is given of 

 the structure and affinities of the genera mentioned ; but in some 

 cases we venture to think such explanations are somewhat too 

 technical to suit the popular taste ; while in others we meet with 

 lists of names without any distinct clue as to what kind of creatures 

 they really represent. 



The first part is devoted to the consideration of the Mammals and 

 Birds ; the former coming in for a very full treatment, both as 

 regards letterpress and illustrations. We are glad to see a very 

 considerable advance in the systematic treatment of this group, the 

 author having for the most part brought his descriptions fully 

 abreast of the modern views. We may notice, however, that the 

 introduction of the discarded term Quadrumana on page 4 appears 

 unnecessary, and liable to lead to confusion. And on the same page, 

 we think, it would have been advisable to point out which genera 

 of Monkeys and Apes are still living and which are extinct, and 

 also to have arranged them according to their families. Thus 

 we find Anthropopithecus (Chimpanzee) sepai - ated from its extinct 

 ally Dryopithecus ; while the extinct Mesopithecus should have 

 occupied, as its name implies, the middle position between the living 

 Macacus and Semnopithecus. 



A large series of figures illustrates very fully the gradual advance 

 in the specialization of the molar teeth of the Proboscideans ; a 

 group of which the Museum contains the finest collection extant. 

 In speaking of the Macrauchenia, at p. 30, as a specialized Ungulate, 

 we presume the author rather intended to use the term "generalized." 

 Again, in treating of the Horses, at p. 39, the author appears to 

 have become involved in some confusion between Equidce and 

 Lophiodontidtz, since he mentions the genus Eohippus among the 

 former family, whereas its true position is in the latter. We may 

 mention in passing that the recent observations of Messrs. Scott 

 and Osborn have shown that Eohippus is really identical with 

 Hyracotherium (p. 38) ; Orohippus being the same as Pachynolophus. 

 The new views as to the probable Metatherian affinity of the 

 Mesozoic Multituberculata are adopted. Why the author will persist 

 in using the name Castor europceus, Owen (p. 9), in place of C. fiber, 

 Linn., is a point on which we should be glad to receive further 

 information. 



In the Birds the classification of the extinct and recent types 

 proposed by Prof. A. Newton has been followed ; the presence or 

 absence of teeth not being regarded as features of ordinal importance. 



The second part is devoted to the Reptiles (including Amphibians), 

 Fishes, and Invertebrates. Since, however, a special guide to the 

 Fossil Fishes has been already published, mention is only made of 



