NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 237 
which is seldom accomplished by the publication of ‘‘ popular 
books” on the subject. The ‘ Guide’ is well illustrated. 
A Guide to the Gallery of Fishes in the Department of Zoology in 
the British Museum (Natural History). Printed by Order 
of the Trustees. 
Turis ‘Guide’ has been prepared by Dr. Ridewood in daily 
consultation with Prof. Lankester, as we are told in the preface. 
The collections of Fishes in the British Museum are not only 
famous for their number, but for the care with which they are 
conserved and have been worked out. Most of these are spirit- 
specimens, and are studied by the ichthyologist. But in the 
Gallery there are exhibited preserved specimens and models 
which have recently been thoroughly rearranged and added to, 
and these appeal to the visitor, for whose instruction this hand- 
book has been written. By its aid he can be made acquainted 
with all the principal types they represent, and the elements of 
the classification by which they are arranged. It also describes 
much of their peculiar structure, life-history, and distribution, 
thus making the Gallery to serve the purpose of a popular 
lecture-room, with the object-lessons round the walls. No 
written natural history can impart the pleasure and instruction 
to be derived from the visit to a good museum collection with an 
adequately written handbook. This one contains ninety-six 
figures. 
