314 Recent Literature. [ May, 
been taken with the proof-reading with the result that very few 
.typographical errors appear. The printing of the first eleven 
oe a (nearly) upon tinted paper in strong contrast to the white 
e remaining pages, from no fault of the printer as we under- 
stand, is to be regretted. The critical eye in search of faults 
might notice too, upon many pages, traces of old and worn type. 
But as a whole, and especially as regards its exterior dress, the 
appearance of the volume is neat and pleasing, and leaves little to 
be desired. 
A government report might be supposed to be the last place to 
which one would turn in search of matter to while away an idle 
hour, but our author contrives to introduce into his pages many 
a bit of pleasant philosophy and many a tale of birds and their 
doings that will prove to the appreciative reader anything else 
but dry reading. Like the skillful cook whose art.is shown by 
his power to serve a juicy dish, be the meat never so tough and 
unsavory, so the author's skill as a writer is seen in his. ability to 
dress up bird histories, however coe ana the subjects, in a 
style that is sure to lease. For a choice example of his pecu- 
liar knack, let us refer the reader to yes story of the familiar cat- 
bird, where the author appears to us in his happiest vein o 
humor. 
But space forbids even mention of all the good things that are 
brought together within these covers. Let each of our readers 
who loves a good book send for a copy, and we predict that few 
indeed will turn its leaves without finding something which will 
appeal to his or her interest —. W. H. 
NSEN’S TURBELLARIAN Worms oF Norway.’)—Our marine 
zoologists will be interested in the appearance of this valuable 
work on the marine flat-worms of the Norwegian coast. num- 
ber of new forms are described in considerable detail, with excel- 
lent figures, while the descriptive portion is preceded by quite 
full anatomical details. The work is done in the careful, con- 
scientious manner characteristic of Scandinavian zodlogists. The 
descriptions are both in Latin and Norwegian, so that the work is 
_ accessible to students in general. 
McCoox’s NATURAL History OF THE AGRICULTURAL ANT OF 
As.2— For a number of years Rev. Mr. McCook, has been a 
diligent student of the habits of the ants of his own State, Penn- 
sylvania, his papers appearing in the Proceedings of the Academy 
of Natural Sciences. The present volume is devoted to a single 
1 Turbellaria ad Litora Norwegie occidentalia. Turbellarier ved Norges Vest- 
kyst. Af OLAF S. JENSEN, Conservator ved Bergens Museum. Mid 8 lith ogra- 
foredi tavler. Bergen, 1878. olio, pp. 98. 
2 The heres a of the Agricultural Ant of Texas. A Monograph of the 
Habits, Archite cture of Pogonomyrmex barbatus. By HENRY CHRISTO- 
PHER Mc ae Katee cigs. Academ: Natural Cotes of Philadelphia. 
Anno Domini, 1879. 8vo, pp. 310. 24 lithographic plates. 
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