1877.) Recent Literature. 483 
In the case of the mites, not only are European species, but a few of the 
more prominent North American species are described or referred to, 
and figures given of them copied from illustrations by American authors. 
Not only are the human parasites, as the itch mite, etc., figured, but 
those infesting our domestic mammals and birds; and the leaf and gall 
mites and allied forms are noticed at greater or lesser length. As an 
example of the author’s mode of treating his subject, we have reprinted 
in the preceding pages of this number, an account of a mite which in- 
jures dried insects in museums in Europe, and which is undoubtedly the 
species which occurs under similar circumstances in this country. It 
appears from Mr. Murray’s statements that the flour mite (Zyroglyphus 
siro Linn.) and Acarus farine or cheése mite, and the milk mite (Aca- 
rus lactis) are all different names for one and the same species, as is also 
the Acarus dysenterie of Linnzus, this mite having in one case caused 
the dysentery in Rolander, a student of Linneus. Figures and an in- 
teresting account is given of Cross’s famous Acarus 
The plan of the work is excellent and well aerial out, and we sin- 
cerely trust that the author will be able, as he designs doing, to furnish 
us with similar treatises on the “bug, locusts, grasshoppers, cockroaches, 
and earwigs ; the two-winged flies, the bees, wasps, etc. ; the dragon-flies 
and May-flies ; butterflies and moths; and lastly, the beetles.” These 
manuals are prepared at the request of the Lords of the Committee of 
Council on Education, and give evidence of the liberal spirit now per- 
vading the minds of the public men of Great Britain. 
Barrp’s ANNUAL RECORD or SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY FOR 1876. 
— This is the sixth volume of the series, and presents a summary of the 
most important discoveriesin natural and physical science during the year 
1876. In addition, a large portion of the book is devoted to abstracts, 
more or less systematically arranged, of special memoirs, while there is 
appended a necrology, and a list of the more important scientific publi- 
cations for the year. Such a book needs a detailed index, and a system- 
atic and analytical table of contents, and we doubt if much fault will be 
found with the manner in which they have been prepared. Professor 
Baird has been aided by a number of scientists, whose names are given 
with the departments which they have reported upon, so that the book 
carries besides the authority of the name of the editor that of the special- 
ists who have assisted him 
_ Asa handbook of scientific progress this series of annual records is 
not only indispensable to the general reader, but we doubt not that the 
specialist who would not be ignorant of what has been done in other de- 
partments of science than his own, will find these volumes better fitted to 
Satisfy his thirst for general knowledge than any other with which we 
are acquainted. The plan of the work leaves in its present state little 
Record of Science and Industry Jor 1876. Edited by SPENCER F. BAIRD, 
New Yo Bro! 
nn 
with the assistance of eminent men of science. New York: Harper & 
1877. 12mo, pp. 609 
