1881. ] Recent Literature. 221 
them. Such use is universal in Europe, and the proposition of 
the new nomenclature by Mr. King, is scarcely more defensible 
than the proceedings of Powell. But the conclusion was 
not yet reached. Professor Marsh coolly putting aside all this 
work of his predecessors, re-names the entire series from the 
period of the beginning of vertebrate life to the present time. 
He selects names from characteristic genera of fossils, in itself a 
good basis of nomenclature, but, in this case, utterly uncalled for. 
We may soon look back on this stage of our scientific develop- 
ment as presenting some characteristics of the beginning of the 
century in Europe. The necessities of progress will doubtless 
early correct any tendency to neglect or ignore just claims 
wherever found. 
:0: 
RECENT LITERATURE. 
ZITTELL’s HAND-BOOK OF PAaLa&onroLocy.'—While the recent 
death of Professor Schimper was a great loss to science, it must also 
prove a serious blow to Professor Zittell, who was aided by the 
learned fossil botanist in the preparation of the botanical portion 
of his Paleontology. The part before us is much thinner than 
the first, and although no intimation is given by the publishers, we © 
suppose that this is the last part which will appear from the pen 
of Professor Schimper, and that some one else will carry on the 
botanical part of the work. 
This second part completes the ferns and Rhizocarpee, and 
contains the account of the Calamariez, Lycopodiacee, and the 
Phanerogamee, including the Cycadeacez, the part completing 
the account of this first order of Cycads. It will thus be seen 
that the author before his death had elaborated the larger tree- 
like Cryptogams of the coal period, so that this part is of special 
interest and value to students, and especially teachers. The ac- 
count of Calamites and its allies is preceded by a general account 
of the living Equisetacez, and figures with which may be advan- 
tageously compared those illustrating the restoration of Cala- 
mites; so that we obtain a tolerably clear notion of the ap- » 
pearance of these gigantic fossil horsetails of the coal period. 
Under the head of Calamocladus, the branches and whorled leaves 
of the Calamites, originally described under the name of Astero- 
phyllites, are figured and described. Antennularia is next de- 
scribed; then Asterophyllum as restricted by Schimper, and other 
forms, as well as details of fructification which are doubtfully re- 
garded as parts of different species of Calamites, but allowed to 
Stand under various generic names. 
The giant club-mosses, Lepidodendron, Sigillaria, etc., are then 
: itwi W. Px. SCHIMPER, heraus- 
Seth Ss elearey et Sar a sou: Mit 49 original-holz- 
‘schnitten, Miinchen und Leipzig, 1880. 8vo, pp. 153-232. 
