78 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



the ordinary naturalist, who only consults such writings, when 

 considered necessary, as one refers to a dictionary or cyclopaedia. 

 Certainly this volume requires study, and without dissections 

 are made to illustrate its teachings, much of the labour of Mr. 

 Mudge may have been expended in vain. 



Chapters xx. to xxiv. can, however, be read with pleasure 

 and instruction by any zoologist, for such topics as Embryology, 

 Heredity, and Variation, among others, not only appeal to the 

 consideration, but demand the attention of every naturalist, 

 however little he may regard the philosophical side of his 

 subject. The chapter on Heredity is a particularly fair and 

 concise exposition of that phenomenon, and can be appreciated 

 alike by the followers of Eimer and the disciples of Weismann. 

 The difficulty of finding a theory impregnable from all attack 

 may be well understood when we examine the nature of some 

 statements which are advanced as fundamental facts. Thus Mr. 

 Mudge, in his tabulation of the " chief differences between the 

 Cockroach and a Butterfly," states of the last-named that its 

 antennae are thickened " into a club at the tip," that the " fore 

 wings are larger than the hind wings in both sexes," and that it 

 " feeds, when it does so, entirely on honey which is obtained 

 from flowers." Now these three statements are true in a general 

 sense, but incorrect in an absolute one. In very many species 

 of the Hesperiidce, the antennae are not clubbed ; in the genus 

 Dismorphia the posterior wings are larger than the anterior 

 ones ; while though it would be agreeable to believe that these 

 beautiful creatures feed on honey alone, the fact remains that 

 some of the most brilliant representatives are attracted by the 

 dung of animals, offal, decomposing Elephant meat, dead Stoats 

 and Weasels, and, as Sir H. Johnston has informed us, even, 

 like ghouls, by the blood-soaked ground after a human combat.* 



Notes and Letters on the Natural History of Norfolk, more 

 especially on the Birds and Fishes. From the MSS. of 

 Sir Thomas Browne, M.D. ; with Notes by Thos. South- 

 well, F.Z.S. Jarrold & Sons. 

 No less an authority than John Addington Symonds has 

 stated that the reputation of Sir Thos. Browne is founded 

 * Cf. ' Kilirna-Njaro Expedition,' p. 176, 



