NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 23* 



We take it for granted that most of our readers are acquainted 

 with some at least of the volumes issued by Messrs Kegan Paul 

 & Co., in their " International Scientific Series," which includes 

 such excellent books as Prof. Karl Semper's ' Natural Conditions 

 of Existence as they affect Animal Life,' Prof. Heilprin's 

 * Geographical and Geological Distribution of Animals,' and Sir 

 John Lubbock's * Senses, Instinct, and Intelligence of Animals,' 

 which are all books to be read by naturalists. But it is perhaps 

 not so well known to English readers that MM. Bailliere et Fils, 

 in Paris, have for some time past been also publishing a small 

 octavo series, with the general title " Bibliotheque Scientifique 

 Contemporaine," in which are to be found several works on 

 kindred subjects by French writers. 



We give, above, the titles of those which have reached 

 us, all of which seem to us deserving of attentive perusal, 

 and we regret that want of space does not permit us to 

 enter so fully as we could wish into the merits of each one 

 of them. 



The object of the publishers is evidently to provide a 

 series of handy volumes, at a moderate price, for those who 

 desire to possess some knowledge upon the scientific questions 

 of the day, but whose occupations or engagements prevent 

 them from devoting much time to original research. In one 

 sense these treatises may be termed popular compilations 

 from the best sources ; but the treatment is original, and there 

 are no translations, while, in most cases, the names and 

 scientific position of the authors afford a sufficient guarantee of 

 accuracy. 



The first volume on our list, that of Dr. Trouessart, on 

 Zoological Geography, reminds us, by its title and the nature of 

 the contents, of Dr. Heilprin's work in the English series above 

 referred to ; but a comparison of the two suffices to show that, 

 although the subject-matter is of necessity similar, the mode of 

 treatment, the division of the subject, and the facts collected, are 

 all original. 



Considering that the study of the geographical distribution of 

 animals is so widely recognised amongst zoologists, it is not a 

 little singular that there was no book on the subject in French 

 until that of Dr. Trouessart appeared. It was to supply this 

 want, in fact, that his work was undertaken, and he may be con- 



