Volume 9 - Electric Scotland

REVIEWS 191
THE EUROPEAN SPHAGNACE^E (AFTER WARNSTORF). By E.
Charles Horrell, F.L.S. Journ. Bot., 1900, pp. 110-122, 161-167,
215-224. Is a monograph of the genus in Europe, as based on the
work of Dr. Warnstorf. It is
preceded by a good bibliography of
the genus since 1880. REVIEWS.
A TREATISE ON ZOOLOGY. Edited by E. Ray Lankester, M.A.,
LL.D., F.R.S. Part III. THE ECHINODERMA. By F. A. Bather,
M.A. Assisted by J. W. Gregory, D.Sc., and E. S. Goodrich, M.A.
(London: Adam and Charles Black, 1900.)
Although the book under consideration forms the third part of
the treatise, yet
it is the first volume issued of what will undoubtedly
prove to be one of the most important works on Zoology that
has ever been published. It
may be termed the " Oxford Natural
History," for the distinguished editor and the various well-known
authors of the series are graduates of that illustrious university.
The general aim of the treatise is, we are told, "to give a
systematic exposition of the characters of the classes and orders of
the animal kingdom, with a citation in due place of the families and
chief genera included in the groups discussed." And "the main
purpose of the Editor has been that the work shall be an independent
and trustworthy presentation, by means of the systematic
survey or taxonomic method, of the main facts of Zoology, or, to
speak more precisely, of Animal Morphography."
In the volume before us, written chiefly by Mr. Bather, of the
Natural History Museum, a recognised specialist on the Echinoderma,
the Editor's ideal is fully realised. The volume presents us
with a comprehensive and scientific account of the general features
of the Phylum, and of the structure and classification of its various
sub-divisions ;
and the illustrations, which are numerous and excellent,
are chiefly original.
The treatise is to be completed in ten parts, and among the
other authors concerned in their production are Professors Poulton,
Weldon, Benham, and Minchin ;
and Messrs. G. C. Bourne and
G. H. Fowler.
A BOOK OF WHALES. By F. E. Beddard, M.A., F.R.S. With
forty illustrations by W. Sidney Berridge. (London
:
John Murray,
1900.)
Mr. Beddard's " Book of Whales " forms a new volume of Mr.
Murray's Progressive Science Series a series which is to comprise
works on every branch of science.
The book presents us with a general work on the Cetacea, which