xly. 



which the hind feet are also furnished with five toes, is only- 

 met with towards the northern extremity of Australia. 



Professor Owen has determined that the ova of Echidna 

 hystrix, in most respects, correspond closely with those of the 

 Omithorhynchus. The fission of the germ mass, like that in 

 the rabbit's ovum, strengthens the conclusion that the Mono- 

 tremes are viviparous. The functional quantity of both uteri 

 in the genus Echidna corresponds with the equal development 

 of the right with the left female organs, in which it differs 

 anatomically from the OrnithorhyncTms. (Proc. Royal Soc, 

 London.) 



Mr. W. Macleay's recent communications " On the Clupeida? 

 and Mugilida? of Australia" (Pro. Lin. Soc, N.S.W., vol. iv., 

 pp. 363-384 and 420 to 427) must further add to his high 

 reputation as an ichthyologist. Since the death of Count de 

 Castelnau he stands alone in this department of zoology. 



Of the Herring tribe nineteen species, and of the Mullet tribe 

 fifteen species are enumerated. Here, as in other instances, 

 the name South Australia rarely appears. The author says — 

 " The fishes of the west coast are very little known, and many 

 discoveries are likely yet to be made on the northern ; but pro- 

 bably we may accept the above lists as enumerating with some 

 correctness the species of the southern and eastern coasts." 



These papers, dealing with two groups affording many edible 

 fish, are replete with information touching their habits, haunts, 

 uses, &c. They raise so many questions of an economic 

 character, that the greatest publicity should be accorded them. 

 The development of our fisheries is of such importance from a 

 national point that it should form a subject for the serious 

 attention of our Government. Mr. Macleay points out the 

 lines upon which an inquiry should be conducted which would 

 accumulate the most useful information. 



" Les Staphylinides de l'Australie et de la Polynesie." Par 

 Albert Fauvel, Geneva, 1877-8, 2 vols., pp. 364. 



The author has for many years given great attention to this 

 family, and has published, in addition to other voluminous 

 works on entomology, " Monographs of the Staphylinida? of 

 Central America, of Chili, Reunion, New Caledonia, IS". Africa, 

 IS". America, and New Guinea." "With such preparation, this 

 last production of his pen cannot fail to have that value which 

 results from the matured study of a particular group of living 

 beings. 



Mr. Masters' " Catalogue of the described Coleoptera of 

 Australia" (1871-4) enumerates 78 species of Staphylinida?, 

 but M. Fauvel's census contains the names of 310 as belonging 

 to this continent and Tasmania. 



