474 - REVIEWS AND BOOK NOTICES. 
variation, in the proportion of the elements mentioned, amounts 
to nearly twenty per cent. of the average. ‘In some cases,” 
Dr. Dwight observes, ‘‘ both skull and beak exceed the average 
breadth ; in others both fall short of it, and again, in others some- 
times one part, and sometimes the other is out of proportion.” 
From the general consideration of the subject, Dr. Dwight seems 
to favor the opinion that the so-called Physalus Duguidii is hardly 
distinguishable from the present species. He further remarks: 
“ When the large number of points in which this whale is pect 
liar is considered, it can not be denied that bolder feats in classi- 
fication have been attempted than would be requisite to founda 
new species on this specimen. Such a course, however, would be — 
quite unjustifiable. It is to be particularly noticed that thon 
variations do not point in any one direction ; that if in certain 
aspects this specimen approaches a certain other, yet in others — 
equally important, it may resemble a third which is quite unlike 
the second, and in still other respects be different from both. A 
slight study of the writings of the eminent observers so oñen 
quoted will be sufficient to show that the same is true, to a greater — 
or less extent, of perhaps every well described specimen of the 
Species.” (p. 229.) 
Besides the woodcuts illustrative of many of the bones, a large 
lithographic plate is devoted to figures of the skull and oe 
important osteological features, and in another plate are given 
dorsal, ventral and profile views of the animal, accurately F 
soon after its capture by Mr. J. H. Blake, of the ye 
Comparative Zoölogy, and also a table of external measuremen™ 
—J. A. A. 
Tue Hasrrs or tHe Orca.* — It is not often that we eo 
popular magazines of the day, articles on natural history pe ie 
containing original matter of a character that commends 
the attention of naturalists. But in this very readable pape 
five pages, Captain Scammon has given us valuable w se 
respecting the habits, distribution and external ¢ me 
ittle known group of marine mammals, — the Orcas, OF 
nivorous Cetacea, of the Pacific Coast of North Americ a 
on many years of personal observation. The apparently = 
Daea eens 
July, 1872, j ae 
* The Orca. By Capt. C. M. Scammon. Overland Monthly, 
with three outline figures. 
