726 Recent Literature. [ September, 
this as truly the evidence of a well-trained, philosophic mind as 
‘the utterances of certain illiberal, one-sided philosophers who 
ignorance and want of appreciation of science and scientific theo- 
ries or working hypotheses, by dismissing them as “ materialistic” 
and “atheistical.” Scientific men are too apt to be dogmatic and 
censorious in dealing with transcendental and mystical philoso- 
phy, but we do not look for this spirit in the philosopher, whose 
range of vision takes in matter as well as mind and spirit. 
:0: 
RECENT LITERATURE. 
REPORT OF THE STATE COMMISSIONERS OF FISHERIES OF PENN- 
ouse at Marietta, Lancaster Co., the same species have been 
sent, together with Clupva sapidissima (shad), Micropterus salmoides 
(black bass) and Cyprinus carpio (carp). The most extensive dis- 
tributions have been of trout and black bass. An important 
feature of the report is a series of answers to questions propound- 
ed by the commissioners as to the condition of the streams 1 
various parts of the State’ These inquiries relate to the obstruc- 
tion, pollution, etc., of the waters, and the answers throw much 
light on the subject. They should be continued in future years, 
for the destruction of the fish population of many fine streams 
will be accomplished, if this matter is not carefully supervised by 
the commissioners, and the needful legislation carried into effect. 
The ichthyological portion of the report includes descriptions 
of one hundred and fifty-seven species, of which four have been 
introduced. The descriptions are arranged under the various 
systematic heads of genera, families, and orders, for which char- 
acters are giveni 1 with the views of theauthor. Professor 
_ Cope has been a student of this subject for many years, and he 
has made a good many important discoveries in a field already 
pretty well occupied. Such may be considered the finding 
the genera Placopharynx, Ericymba, and Labidesthes. So also the 
peculiar arrangement of the intestines in Campostoma, where they 
’ Harrisburg; Lane S. Hart, State Printer, 188r. 
