34 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



animals which seem totally neglected by field naturalists. How 

 many have observed a Starfish in the act of devouring a Mussel, 

 of which an excellent illustration is given ? (p. 241). A little 

 practical zoology will also guide our observations and con- 

 clusions. All of us who have hunted Crocodiles will remember 

 the sometime unpleasant proximity of the tip of snout, and 

 that only to be seen, of one of these submerged saurians close 

 to the small and deeply-laden canoe ; but do all remember that 

 this ruse is only possible by the fact of the choanse or posterior 

 nares being " situated very far back directly over the glottis, 

 whilst the external nostril is at the tip of the snout"? 



A feature in the classification is that of a large Sub-phylum of 

 the Phylum Vertebrata, designated Craniata, distinguished by 

 possessing a skull and brain. This is again divided into two 

 divisions, that styled Gnathostomata including Pisces, Amphibia, 

 Reptilia, Aves, and Mammalia. However, classifications are only 

 propositions ; but in studying these we frequently discern affinities 

 of which we had no previous cognizance, and differences of whose 

 existence we were ignorant. Our space debars further reference 

 to this most interesting and important volume. 



The Protozoa. By Gary N. Calkins, Ph.D. New York : 

 The Macmillan Company. 



In a hidden world — at least beyond the range of our unaided 

 vision — live the Protozoa, unicellular organisms " not far removed 

 from the colorless bacteria on the one hand, and the primitive 

 green plants on the other." In the earlier works of Linnseus 

 the existence of these animals was treated with complete 

 scepticism, though in the later editions of the ' Systema Naturae' 

 they were admitted under the significant generic name Chaos. 

 Why, to-day, are these creatures so neglected by zoologists ? 

 Some are even known to menace the life of man, but it would be 

 as difficult to find an ordinary child who was ignorant of the exist- 

 ence of the Tiger, as to discover one who could define what was 

 meant by a Protozobn. The Protozoa are also of indirect injury 

 to humanity. Among the Sporozoa the Sarcosporidiida produce 

 morbid symptoms in domestic animals often leading to death, while 



