NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 439 



and habits of the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) ; 

 then follow several chapters devoted to the anatomy, skeletal, 

 muscular, nervous, visceral, &c, and finally an account of the 

 embryology of the Alligator and a bibliography. The frontis- 

 piece is a colour-photograph of the Alligator. 



We are rather surprised to find that the chapter on the 

 muscular system is, as stated in the preface, a translation from 

 Bronn's ' Thierreich, and that the descriptions therein have not 

 been verified by Dr. Eeese, especially as he says in this chapter 

 that Bronn in turn has followed Gadow, and that the reptile 

 described in this German work is a Crocodile (of a species not 

 particularized) and not either of the two known Alligators, the 

 American, or the Chinese A. sinensis. It would surely have been 

 better to defer the publication of the work until the muscles of 

 American Alligators could be worked out ; the author's position 

 as professor of zoology in the West Virginia University should 

 have facilitated the research, and though, as is stated, "it is 

 probable that the differences between the various members of 

 the Crocodilia would be slight," we consider the method of treat- 

 ing a scientific subject on the principle " one is as good as 

 another," a decided blemish. The figures of the muscular 

 system, however, we are told, are "mainly from the Florida 

 Alligator." The bionomical part of the book contains observa- 

 tions of much general interest ; Dr. Beese has found Alligator- 

 meat decidedly palatable, and wonders why it is not more used ; 

 the reptile has also much economic value as a leather-producer, 

 hides of seven feet being most in demand. Compared with some 

 old-world Crocodiles and with the American Crocodile (Crocodilus 

 americanus), the Alligator is a very harmless reptile, and is even 

 beneficial in keeping down Cane-Bats and Musk-Bats, so that, in 

 view of its economic value, protective legislation has been sug- 

 gested and is recommended. 



Country Sights and Sounds. By G. T. Bopb. London : 

 Constable & Co., Ltd. 1915. 3s. 6d. net. 

 The sketches in this pleasant little book have, so the 

 author tells us in his preface, mostly appeared in various 

 publications concerned with nature, some in fact, in the 

 ' Zoologist,' and Mr. Bope's useful and exhaustive contribution 



