Reviews — Geological Survey of Victoria. 129 



Having some time previously been struck with the novelty of 

 species of Mollusca occurring on the shore of the Gulf of Suez, Mr. 

 M'Andrew determined to go again and make some detailed obser- 

 vations on the marine fauna. Accordingly in 1869, accompanied by 

 Mr. Edward Fielding, he proceeded to Suez, and devoted six weeks 

 to dredging along the coast of the Sinai peninsula. The results of 

 his investigations are communicated in the Eeport now before us. 

 The total number of species of Mollusca obtained amounts to 818, 

 of which 619 have been identified or described, the remaining 199 

 being still undetermined. 355 of the species have not been pre- 

 viously recorded as inhabiting the Eed Sea ; and of these, fifty -three, 

 including three genera, are new to science, and have been described 

 by Messrs. H. and A, Adams. Most of the undetermined species 

 will, it is expected, prove to be new. 



Professor Issel, of Genoa, in a recently -published work upon the 

 shells of the Eed Sea, enumerates but 640 species of recent Mollusca 

 from the whole area — a fact which speaks well for the important re- 

 sults that have been obtained by Mr. M'Andrew ; while, in addition to 

 Mollusca, he lost no opportxmity to collect specimens of Echinodermata, 

 Crustacea, Corals, etc., accounts of which will probably be published. 



Mr. M'Andrew observes that further researches only tend to con- 

 firm the distinction between the Eed Sea and Mediterranean species 

 of Mollusca, so that a barrier between the seas must have existed 

 from very remote time. This, however, is quite consistent with 

 Professor Issel's statement, that an examination of the geological 

 conditions of the Isthmus leads to the conclusion that the two seas 

 were united during the Eocene and Miocene periods. 



What influence the Suez Canal may have in modifying the dis- 

 tribution of the forms of life, is at present a source of much interest. 



H. B. W. 



I^El'VIS^WS. 



I. — Eeport on the Present Condition of the Geological Survey 

 OF THE Colony of Victoria. (Melbourne, 1870.) 



ASHOET time ago we had occasion to notice the termination of 

 the Geological Survey of Victoria, which had for a long period 

 been most ably conducted by Mr. A. E. C. Selwyn. The suddenness 

 of the course taken by the Colonial Government created much sur- 

 prise, and considerable regret was felt that the Survey of a Colony, 

 so important in its economic bearings, should be left in an unfinished 

 state. 



We have just received a report, dated 23rd September, 1870, 

 made by Mr. E. Brough Smyth to the Hon. Angus Mackay, M.P., 

 Minister of Mines, in which the writer submits his plans for the 

 completion of the Geological Survey of Victoria. He first points 

 out the amount of work done by Mr. Selwyn and his stafl" of assis- 

 tants. They surveyed an area of 3,510 square miles, which was 

 published on maps, drawn to a scale of two inches to a mile. Mr. 



VOL. VIII, NO. LXXXI. 9 



