78 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



The Primates occupy but a small part of the work, as they 

 are very few in number, for although, as the author remarks, 

 " this order comprises Man, the Monkeys, and the Lemurs," we 

 have not yet reached a comprehensive treatment of the order in 

 one publication, and Man still has an anthropological treatment 

 all alone, as befits the " lord of the creation." 



The Carnivora, by the presence of the African Lion, becomes 

 an order of importance in this region. The animal is not now 

 found south of the Orange River, but is still a denizen of many 

 parts of the wooded Transvaal ; and the writer of this notice has 

 within the last decade seen many a skin brought in by the Boers 

 for sale on the Pretoria market. It is, however, in the descrip- 

 tions and details of the Viverridce that this book will prove a 

 perfect boon to all those who take an interest in the animal life 

 of South Africa, a class likely to be largely augmented in numbers 

 in the very near future. The Aard Wolf {Proteles cristatus), 

 which enjoys an insectivorous diet, is now reported to have 

 acquired a habit, like the Baboon, of attacking kids and lambs. 



When we come to the Ungulata, we approach an almost 

 vanishing race. The Blaaubok and Qnagga are gone, and 

 to anyone conversant with the number of Zebra hides which 

 can be purchased in the season at Louren90 Marques, it is 

 apparent that that animal must be making a struggle for con- 

 tinued existence in South-east Africa. The present writer, 

 a few years ago, could have purchased some eight hundred 

 game hides at Deiagoa Bay, the greater portion of which 

 were Zebras', and all killed in one season. This quantity was for 

 sale by one firm alone ! It is painful in reading the book to 

 meet with so many fine animals now only represented by pre- 

 served and localised individuals. The Black Wildebeest (Conno' 

 chcetes gnu) "is now practically extinct in a true feral condition"; 

 the FilAnd (Taurotragus oryx), which was "formerly found all 

 over South Africa, including the Colony," is still found a few at 

 a time in some favouiite localities ; " elsewhere they have been 

 nearly exterminated." But it is needless to dwell on a too 

 well-known fact. 



This volume should form part of the equipment of any pro- 

 posed emigrant to South Africa who is prepared to look at nature 

 other than exhibited by a metalliferous reef. Its value is felt by 



