1879. | Recent Literature. 31 
‘criptions of the genera, and with occasional but incomplete ref- 
erences to specific synonyms, followed by such remarks on each 
species as the wide experience gained by the author from eighteen 
years of study has suggested. The length of time over which 
the work has extended, has rendered a short supplement neces- 
sary to the main body of the book, which is followed by tables 
of geographical distribution and a discussion of the questions 
involved in this branch of the work, a full index, and the plates 
with their explanation. The text is in Norwegian and the 
descriptions of families and species in Latin 
he plates are autotypic and contain an aoum of work which 
must be seen to be appreciated. It is true that a certain amount 
of progress may be traced in them, a few of the earlier ones being 
slightly less artistic than the rest, and an occasional correction 
will suggest itself to the special student, but aside from these 
inconsiderable matters, it may well e doubted if the animals of 
any other fauna have ever heck so roughly and effectively 
treated by the pencil of a competent draughtsman. The ; 
simply invaluable to the student of Arctic and boreal Mollusca, 
not only for their delineation of species (often unfigured else- 
where), but for the thoroughness with which accessories, too often 
neglected, such as dentition, opercula, anatomical details, etc., are 
represented whenever known. These plates alone would form for 
the author an enduring claim to the gratitude of his fellow natu- 
ralists of all countries. 
A serious drawback, however, to the fullest usefulness of the 
work exists in its nomenclature, which does not appear to con- 
form to any particular principles, and which most unfortunately 
adds very largely to the already overwhelming mass of synonymy 
with which this branch of science is loaded. Prof. Sars exhibits 
a tendency to divide species and genera to their fullest extent, and 
while this alone is not particularly reprehensible if carefully done, 
yet when done without great care, as in the present case, one ma 
be pardoned for taking exception to the method, and lament- 
ing the inevitable results. Thus we have as absolute synonyms 
of already established names, Boreochiton Sars (Trachydermon 
Crp.), Boreofusus Sars (7; voschelia Moérch), and Solenopus M. Sars 
(Neomenia Tullb.) first described by Tullberg. Craspedochilus 
Sars, also belongs ina section first characterized and named by 
Carpenter, In this connection it may be mentioned that a reéx-- 
amination of the dentition of the Chitons would Vek ae result 
in a revision of some of the figures. Of names which hav 
adopted without that search into their credentials which e 
have shown them to be untenable, a few may be mentioned. 
Such are Portlandia Mörch, Tridonta Schumacher, Nicania Leach, 
Timoclea Römer, Rupicola | (2), Antalis Aldrovandus (/), Del irae os 
dea Brown, Pilidium Midd., Pyrene Bolten, and Conulus Nardo.. — 
Of names ‘applied erroneously to forma which cannot by any a 
