


1891.] Recent Literature. 647 
Another important point is the definite location of the Acanthodii 
as a third order of the Elasmobranchii, for what appear to be entirely 
valid reasons. These are quite sustained by the results of a study of 
several species of Acanthodes, published in 1890 by Dr. Otto Reis, in 
a paper which had not probably come into Dr. Woodward’s hands in 
time for notice.‘ The next important systematic step is the location 
of what is left of the old Placodermi after the abstraction of the 
Ostracophori, represented by the Coccosteidæ. These Dr. Woodward 
regards as Dipnoi, and the view is a plausible one. Doubtless paleon- 
tologists have no better place for them, and new evidence is likely 
to confirm the proposition. He names the order the Arthrodira. 
Two orders of Teleostomi are adopted, the Crossopterygia and 
Actinopterygia ; the Rhipidopterygia and Podopterygia being rejected. 
We have given reasons in the Naruraisr for April why we think 
these orders (or better, superorders) should be retained. Under Cros- 
sopterygia, four suborders are recognized,—viz., Haplistia (Tarrasiidz) ; 
Rhipidistia (Holoptychiide, Rhizodontide, Osteolepidide, and Ony- 
codontide) ; Actinistia (Ccelacanthide) ; and Cladistia (Polypteridz). 
The Actinopterygia are divided into two sections, A and B, corres- 
ponding to our Podopterygia and Actinopterygia respectively. The 
present work enters only the former division, which includes the 
families Palzoniscide, Platysomatide, Catopteride, Chondrosteide, 
Belonorhynchide, Acipenseride, and Polyodontide. The volume 
concludes with the Platysomide. 
Many important points in the structures of these fishes are discussed, 
and the species which are included are placed on a permanent basis. 
The work is illustrated by numerous good lithographs.—C. 
Mrs. Bodington on Evolution.'—This book, of two and a 
quarter hundred pages, is a popular presentation of many of the 
facts discovered by the more modern laborers in several fields of 
biology. Its nine chapters treat of the following subjects: The evo- 
lution of the eye ; extinct and surviving mammalia; the flora of the 
past; interesting facts in evolution; microdrganisms as parasites ; 
puzzles in paleontology ; the air-bladders of fishes ; Neo-Lamarckism ; 
the origin of the fittest. The authoress’ presentation of these topics is 
both graphic and scientific, and is well calculated to interest ‘the | etl : 
U de ar Dat. Aa os N gee 
* 

* Zurkentniss des Skel ts jer Acanthodinen, 
des Kgl. bayer. Oberbergamts, r890. P s 
5 Studies in Evolution and Biology. “By Allee Bodington. 
8vo, T ; 


