100 
ZOOLOGICAL LITERATURE. 
Of course, the author has had frequent opportunity of pro- 
posing new generic names, but we know of only one other instance 
in which an author has shown a similar want of knowledge of 
the rules of nomenclature, aud even of linguistic rudiments : 
Plastoseryx, Leiosophis, Cosmiosophis are specimens of M. Jan's 
productions in tliis line. 
The plates are very well drawn, and, after some errors to be 
mentioned hereafter have been corrected, they will facilitate the 
determination of species. Everybody who knows the amount of 
time and labour required for the drawing of snakes will excuse 
M. Jan for giving only partially executed drawings of the speci- 
mens. 
Anatomische Abhandlungen iiber die Perennibranchiaten und ' 
Derotremen. Von J. G. Fischer. Erstes Heft. Ham- 
burg, 1864*. 4 to (172 pages and 6 plates). 
This work is purely anatomical ; the first part contains the 
anatomy of the visceral arches (hyoid and branchial), their 
muscles, and the cerebral nerves. The author has made his 
researches on Siren lacertina, Axolotl, Proteus, Menobranchus 
lateralis, Amphiuma tridactylam, Menopoma alleghaniense, 
Oryptohr ambus japonicus, and Siphonops annulatus. The last- 
named species has been included in these researches, because 
the structure of the hyoid bone is typically entirely different 
from that of other Batrachians, 
B. Separate Pubtications. 
The Reptiles of British India. By Albert C. L. G. Gunther. 
London: published for the Ray Society by Robert Hard- 
wicke. 4to (444 pages and 26 plates) . 
This work comprises the entire Reptilian fauna of the conti- 
nent of India, from the country drained by the Indus to the 
temperate regions of China. A sketch of the geographical dis- 
tribution of the species over this immense area precedes the 
systematic index. The author gives descriptions of 526 species, 
a very small proportion of which have not been examined by 
himself ; many are new to science, and they, with those which 
have been figured, will be mentioned below. In order to facili- 
tate the study of Reptiles, and to diffuse their knowledge among 
naturalists and residents in India, the author has added detailed 
descriptions of the characters of the orders and families, with 
explanations of the scientific terms. He has collected everything 
that is known of the habits of these animals. The plates, 
generally containing figures of the natural size, are admirably 
drawn on stone by Mr. G. II. Ford. 
