ease ia eS te a ae oat Ee is tb 
y nae cers 
1878. ] Recent Literature. 459 
some families of the birds where the genera have been too greatly 
multiplied; e. g., in the Stigide, Icteride, Fringilhde, Hirundin- 
ide, Corvide, Tyrannide, Ardeide, Anatide, etc. As a model o 
really diagnostic analysis we refer to that of the Falconide (p. 
110), where the divisions, whether all generic or not, receive the 
characters which belong to them in the system. 
The most valuable part of the book is that relating to the 
fishes, where the ichthyologist, as well as the beginner, can 
obtain important information. Prof. Jordan’s origińal work having 
been chiefly in this field, where he has added materially to the 
science, we have here the latest results as to species and genera, 
and their distribution. This work is, then, the only apes 
incompetency of amateur writers has been especially displayed in 
the literature of this popular genus. Fifty-three nominal species 
_ are here reduced to seventeen, the reduction being greatest in the 
Pacific coast salmon, where Suckley wrought such confusion. 
We are also glad to see those myths, Salmo confinis, S. symmetrica, 
S. toma and S. adirondacus finally laid. We wish we could say 
the same for the barbaro i 
Salmones. Such names as “gorbuscha,” “ nerka” and “keta” 
should have a very good diagnostic basis to admit them to tolera- 
tion. A similar synopsis of the species of Coregonus follows, 
These are referred to four genera, a proceeding, as appears to us. 
not warranted by the facts. 
We recommend this work to teachers and students of North 
American zodlogy as a sine gua non in this department. 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHIL- 
ADELPHIA, September to December, 1877——This number forms 
as follows: List of members, correspondents and officers, 4 
pages; indices 18 pages ; reports of officers 69 pages ; short verbal 
A. Ryder, of the relation existing between the structures and 
uses of the incisor teeth of rodents. The list of contributors of 
papers during the year 1877, includes twenty-two names, of whom 
seven are resident members of the Academy, and four of whom 
appear to have based their work on specimens in the museum of 
the Academy. 
A novel feature introduced into the proceedings during the last 
few years, has been the “Report of the President.” An annual 
President’s address, which gives a review of the progress 
Science during the year, is a usual feature of the publications 
* 
