812 ` Recent Literature. [ December, 
tion to scientific .nomenclature. But, on the other hand, Prof. 
Marsh does not deviate, throughout this paper, from his usual 
habit of ignoring the work of contemporary naturalists.' We cite 
the following instances: The division called by Marsh Sauropoda, 
was named by Owen, thirty-seven years ago, the Opisthocæla, 
and more recently by Seeley, the Cetiosauria (the latter name 
without definition). Several genera of the group have been deter- 
mined by other authors, of which no mention is made, while new 
names are given them. ‘Such is Caulodon, which at a later date is 
termed MMJorosaurus ; and Camarasa from which Adanto- 
saurus of later origin has never been distinguished, e name 
Apatosaurus, introduce as “describe by the writer,’ is an 
equally unknown quantity in palzontology.2 The various des- 
criptions of the characters of the limb and pelvic bones, and of 
the skeleton in general, are all given as though new, the recogni- 
tion of work“done by others, usually thought indispensable in 
scientific literature, being quite omitted. A reference is made, 
however, to the early determination of the age of the beds in 
which some of these fossils were found by Dr. Hayden and Prof. 
Cope, as erroneous ; but the author fails to notice the later views 
of Prof. Cope, in which he corrected both Prof. Marsh’ and the 
determinations which were made before him. 
MEEHAN’S NATIVE FLowers AND FeErns.A—We are glad to 
notice the increasing number and value of our popular works of 
natural history. Such handbooks have long been common in 
England and on the Continent, but somehow we, in America, 
have not had them. Works like these, however, seem now to be 
much in demand. They undoubtedly have, when well conducted, 
an educational influence. The name of Mr. Meehan is a guar- 
antee for the excellence of the text. He gives a pleasant conver- 
sational account of each flower, and contrives at the same time to 
~ introduce much interesting scientific matter, which may lead the 
réader to personal research. Herein lies the value of these illus- 
trated manuals. He who comes to them for amusement may 
tarry for information. One part is to be issued every two weeks, 
and will contain four colored plates. Mr. Alois Lunzer has here 
Seas very satisfactory work. Indeed, we are at a loss to see 
oie’ Messrs. Prang & Co. can furnish so much for so small a 
; the price of each part is but fifty cents, while both letter- 
. saia and plates are elegant. A somewhat familiar acquaintance 
1An apparent exception, is that of a distinguished English paleontologist, who is 
noticed in a foot note, but his precise service, that of the oo of the struc- 
_ ture of the pelvis in Iguanodon, is unfortunately not spec 
- ?I note here that the pre pas new genus of ees Bais noticed by Prof. 
Marsh as derived from the same beds, is in a mis rly unsatisfactory condition, not 
the least ground for,its creation having been g a 
8 Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc., 1877, p. 234. 
ae ae ne: e Flowers and Ferns. By THOMAS MEEHAN. Boston, L. Prang & 
0., 1975. : 
