220 Reviews.


The result of the experiments proves that hybrids between

any of the five species experimented with are perfectly fertile,

though one, the Pintail, belongs to a different genus to the

others. In fact so successful has Mr. Bonhote been that he has

produced a bird which contained the blood of the five species in

the one individual.


In dealing with crosses of more than two species it became

necessary to invent new terms to denote these, and so the terms

di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, etc. with the suffix -gen were adopted

and will doubtless be followed by those who follow Mr. Bonhote

in experimenting in the hybridization of species.


The actual crosses obtained are accurately described and

several are illustrated in colours, and it is interesting to note that

some of the results resemble species quite distinct from either of

the parents.


The experiments have been carried out in a very thorough

and scientific manner and tend to prove that there is much useful

work to be done in this direction. It is a curious and at present

unexplained fact that in some groups of animals hybrids between

the various species are perfectly fertile while in others they are

entirely sterile. Crosses between the various species of Bovidce

have long ago been shown to be fertile while in the Equidce they

are sterile. Mr. Bonhote has now shown us that the Anatidcz

produce fertile hybrids, while we know that such apparently

closely related genera as Card?telis and Serinus produce hybrids

that are sterile. Why this should be remains a mystery.



THE ZOO GUIDE.


The new edition of the Official Gtcide to the Zoological

Society s Gardens (written by the Secretary and published by the

Society at 3, Hanover Square, W.) is a most interesting little

book, well illustrated with numerous photographs by Messrs.

Dando, Irving and Medland. Short accounts of most of the

mammals and birds are given and are very instructive and

reliable. All who are fond of wild creatures should get this

guide. The price is only 6d., or post free 7^d. ; or bound in

cloth is. ; post free, is. 2d.



