﻿20 FIELD AND FOREST. 



the botanical names and authorities, and in the second the common 

 names. This plan adds to the interest for the general reader, although 

 in many instances these common names are mere translations of the 

 scientific ones. The catalogue is remarkably free from the typograph- 

 ical errors so frequently found in works of this kind. There is added 

 an appendix giving botanical descriptions of such plants as are not 

 found in Gray's Manual. So full and clear a catalogue must be an 

 invaluable aid in the hands of investigators within the State, as well as 

 a handsome and satisfactory exhibit of its vegetable productions to 

 non-residents. 



A Manual of the Vertebrates of the Northern United State.-. 

 By David Starr Jordan, M. S., M. D. In one volume, 121110. 

 pp. 342. [Chicago, 1876. Jansen, McClurg & Co.] 



As this is an age of labor-saving appliances it is not strange that 

 study should be made easier by improved methods. In the work be- 

 fore us, by the admirable plan of artificial keys used in some of the 

 branches of Natural Science, the labor of classifying and identifying 

 is greatly reduced. 



The work comprises descriptions of 81 7 species, representing 116 

 families of the mammals, birds, reptiles and fishes of that portion of 

 the United States east of the Mississippi, and north of North Carolina 

 and Tennessee. In addition to the descriptions of species there is a 

 full Glossary of technical terms, and a " Nomenclator," or account of 

 the derivations of the scientific names, an interesting feature of the 

 work. Like Gray's Manual of Botany, it is a library in itself, and to 

 beginners must prove an invaluable aid, while the cheapness of the 

 work places it within reach of all. 



Proceedings of the Poughkeepsie Society of Natural Science. 



8vo. pp. 32. Plates iv. Numbers 1 & 2. 



This society was organized in September 1874, and incorporated 

 under the general act January 2d, 1875. The society meets on Mon- 

 day evening of every other week in the room containing the library 

 and museum. Discussions are held and papers read upon subjects 

 embraced under the general title of Natural Science. Portions of the 

 papers so read are presented, and are as follows : White Mildews or 

 Blights, by W. R. Gerard ; Insects as articles of Food ; and the 

 Theory of the Thermoscope, by Prof. Leroy C. Cooley. 



Notes on the Yucca Borer. By Prof. C. V. Riley, pp. 20. 

 Illustrated. — From the Transactions of the Academy of Science of St. 

 Louis, Jan. 1876. A biological, bibliographical and descriptive 

 history of the yucca borer, Megathymiis yucca, with an appendix giving 

 descriptions of allied species likely to be found where the yucca borer 

 occurs. 



