58 (Review of (Recent Literature. 
REVIEW OF RECENT LITERATURE. 
Geological Survey of the State of JVetv l''ork, Paltsontoloffy, vol. vi. Corals 
and Bryozoa : Text and Plates., containing Descriptions and Figures of Species 
from the Loivcr Helderberg., Upper Helderberg and Hamilton Groups. By 
Jatnes Hall., State Geologist and Palceontologist., assisted by George B. Simp- 
son. Albany., iSSj. 
Of the many valuable, recent contributions to the literature of palseon- 
tology, none probably will occupy a higher place in the regard of palae- 
ontologists, or receive from them a warmer welcome, than the volume 
above cited. This volume deals with the corals and brvozoa of the Lower 
Helderberg, and the bryozoa of the upper Helderberg and Hamilton 
groups. The dedicatory letter of the author to Gov. Hill of New York 
bears date, August, 18S7. The text includes pages xxvi — 298, and the 
volume is illustrated by plates i — Ixvi. 
Only a small space in the volume before us is devoted to corals. By 
far the larger portion is given to the bryozoa — a group that though rep- 
resented abundantly in the fossil faunas, has hitherto been confessedly 
among the most difficult of all that fall within the province of the work- 
ing palaeontologist. The meagerness of the literature on the subject has 
caused the bryozoa generally to be neglected by the amateur student and 
collector. Both to the amateur and the professional palaeontologist there- 
fore, this volume will be particularly welcome. 
The volume, in the preparation of the text as well as in the generic and 
specific determinations of the great number of forms therein described 
bears evidence of the painstaking care and scientific skill that have given 
value and character to the preceding volumes of this magnificent series. 
Indeed the eminent name that appears on the title-page will be, to 
palaeontologists at home and abroad, a sufficient guaranty that the scien- 
tific part of the work has been skilfully and conscientiously performed 
When it is said that nearly all the drawings were made by Mr. G. B 
Simpson, nothing more will be needed to commend the plates for beauty 
and faithfulness of delineation to persons familiar with the work of this 
artist. 
Pages xi — xxvi are occupied by a synopsis of the genera included in 
the volume. This synopsis has been prepared by Mr. Charles E. Beecher 
and will add greatly to the value of the work to the experienced palaeon- 
tologist as well as to the amateur student. 
Zoologists generally will probably regret that the term polyzoa had 
not been used in this volume instead of bryozoa. The term, bryozoa^ 
certainly has no standing in modern zoological literature. Huxley, Allman, 
E. Rey Lankester, Gegenbaum, Packard, and all the list of zoological 
writers recognize the priority of the name given by Thompson in 1830 
over that applied by Ehrenberg in 1834. Geologists and paheontologists 
or some unaccountable reason adhere to the name proposed by Ehren- 
