own studios are certainly not getting salaries for it! It is to the advantage of the academy to utilize, if possible, all these now scattered ways and means. And is it not a reflection on human nature that suggestions to this end should be looked upon as "Macchiavellian schemes for selfish ends," or attempts to obtain control of the academy's collections? We want no better evidence than such language, to show that something more important than money is wanting here. The need of something else was very evident during our Centennial, when enormous collections, which might have been had for the asking, were allowed to be taken to Washington under our very eyes.

We close with an allusion to the opinion expressed in this part of the paper, that "the professors would be the only experts who would have free access to the collections." There is no provision to this effect expressed or implied in the by-laws or the proposed alteration of them. The by-laws provide for the reverse. The privileges now enjoyed by members of the academy would not be restricted in the least, but would rather be increased through the additions to the collections which would follow. The new by-law simply protects the new material which may hereafter be obtained through the exertions of a professor for purposes of research, from distribution through the museum, before it is used, and specifies who shall use it first. This is simple justice, and it will ever remain the condition on which the academy's collections can be increased in any important degree. Expectations of obtaining collections in any other way are illusive. By new material is not meant material new to the museum, but that which is new to science. At present, this entire subject, which is the working basis of the institution, is thoroughly misunderstood. It is not well to fear the granting of these privileges, for it is a question of their being enjoyed by a few persons or by none at all. No two persons can use the same material at the same time, nor can its first use be enjoyed by more than one person.

-:0:

RECENT LITERATURE.

NOTES ON NEW ENGLAND ISOPODA.1-In this paper we have a list, with notes on the distribution, of forty-three species of Isopoda found on the coast of New England (including one which has not yet been observed south of Labrador). Fanira spinosa and Leptochela rapax are the only new species described. Of these forty-three species, ten have been found only south of Cape Cod; fifteen are common to both sides, and eighteen appear only north of the cape, and eleven occur on the European shores. Of these eleven, Tanais vittatus has been found south of the

Notes on New England Isopoda. By OSCAR HARGER. States National Museum, 1879, pp. 157-165.

Proceedings of the United

cape but not north, while Færa albifrons (copiosa Stm.), Ilotea irrorata, Limnoria lignorum and Leptochela algicola are found on both sides of that promontory. In the paper we notice that no species of Bopyrida (with the exception of Cepon distortus) is reported south of Massachusetts. Dr. Leidy informs us that during the last summer he found Crangon vulgaris at Atlantic City, N. J., badly infested with another species.—J. S. K.

CARCINOLOGICAL PAPERS OF PAUL MAYER.'-We have here two papers, one on the color changes of the Isopoda, the other descriptive of a new parasitic crustacean, Ive balanoglossi, found, as the name indicates, in the body cavity of Balanoglossu. The sexes closely resemble each other, except that the males are much the smaller. The body is not segmented, but the five pairs of appendages which are present show their articulate character more plainly than in many Lerneans. The stomach is a blind sac, and the circulatory apparatus is wanting. The male adheres to the female near the genital opening. Dr. Mayer succeeded in rearing the Nauplius from eggs.-J. S. K.

HERRICK'S ENTOMOSTRACA.-It is occasionally our lot to run across the productions of some naturalist, who, laboring under the impression that the scientific world has been at a standstill for a quarter of a century, deems it his duty to start it, and the result is almost invariably the same, it retards the motion which, though inappreciable to his senses, nevertheless existed. The time necessary to unravel the confusion produced in synonymy by such persons is enormous, and the amount of work required can only be appreciated by the systematist.

Such a work is now before us and seems to demand some slight attention. The author seems to have had very slight access to the literature of the subject, and to be entirely ignorant of any work done since the days of Baird's British Entomostraca (1850), and Dana's Crustacea of the U. S. Exploring Expedition (1852), the works of Claus, P. E. Müller, G. O. Sars, Liljeborg, Brady, Birge, etc., being unknown to him. The synonymy quoted, however, would at first sight indicate an extensive acquaintance with the bibliography, but a slight examination shows that all references are taken second-hand and no credit is given; for instance, fifty-five references are quoted from Daphnia pulex verbatim (but owing to careless proof reading not literatim) from Baird's British Entomostraca, and we would venture to say not one of them has been verified by our author, and what is more, his Pierian font, Baird's work, is not quoted at all in connection with that species. We had supposed that the classification of the lower crustacea 1 Mittheilungen aus der Zoologischen, Station zu Neapel. 1 bd. 4 heft, page 515-522 one plate, 1879.

Microscopic Entomostraci, by C. L.. Herrick, in the Seventh Annual Report of the Geological and Natural History Survey of Minnesota, 1879, pp. 81-123. Pl. 21.

was in passable condition, but we are informed [p. 84] that "it is not possible at this stage of the study to attempt a systematic arrangement." On page 85 it is stated that the Rhizocephala and and Cirripedia" are enclosed in a hard shell-like test," which is true of no adult; Rhizocephala and some barnacles are exceptions. On the same page we are told that the sucker-like organ on the head of Sida corresponds to the pedicle [peduncle] of the barnacles, a statement showing very elastic ideas of homology. Our author, also contrary to the ideas of the best morphologists, recognizes an ocular segment, and excludes the telson from a position among the somites of the body. The NATURALIST is not the place, nor have we time to rectify the synonymy of the forms described, and to assign them to their proper position, but several forms, if the drawings are accurate, are placed at least in wrong genera. The typographical errors are numerous; Desmarest's name appears with three different orthographies, the abbreviation "Enc. méth" under three distinct forms. Lovén as "Loren," somite as "somnite" on p. 90, occurs the word "setigiferous," but the worst of all is "qualities" for gnathites (p. 86).

The illustrative figures are clearly printed, but of their accuracy we are not certain, and many points which are important from a systematic standpoint are slighted or ignored, thus rendering it difficult for the future reviser of the American species to classify the forms here described, and a quotation from p. 86, seems to exactly describe the condition of affairs brought about by this work. The curious misapprehensions and inaccuracies into which authors have fallen still further complicates the matter.— 7. S. Kingsley.

THE MISSES JONES AND SHULZE'S NESTS AND EGGS OF THE BIRDS OF OHIO-The just appreciation and cordial encouragement accorded by scientific critics to Part 1, of this beautiful work must have prepared a welcome on the part of the public for the further installment issued in October last. Not only does its unique ensemble render it attractive, but it presents a combination of the useful and the agreeable of science and of art, to a very rare degree. In these days, when the great majority of periodical publications afford specimens of the progress in art-culture in this country, and the public grows more capable of criticizing the results of original efforts with the pencil and brush, such work as the talented and enterprising authors of these "Illustrations" have wrought, will be justly ranked high in general estimation. The originality of method of this work, which copies some of the prettiest and most varied objects in nature, the pleasing combinations in the drawings, the faithfully imitative style of coloring, and the tasteful finish of the text,

1 Illustrations of the Nests and Eggs of the Birds of Ohio. With text. By Genevieve E. Jones and Eliza J. Shulze. Folio. Published by the Authors. Circleville, Ohio. (Part II.)

render these folios almost matchless as contributions to natural science, and to picturesque art for the library or for the parlor table. The sad death of one of the authors, in early life, and in sight of the goal of success, has added an appeal to our sympathy to the just claims of the work upon public appreciation. Miss Jones died last August, of a fever doubtless aggravated by her earnest efforts and mental anxiety concerning her work, though that portion of her labor already accomplished will be incorporated in the numbers of the publication yet to appear, Miss Shulze is engaged with Miss Jones's parents in the completion of the plan in which the two ladies originally joined; and Miss Jones's name will continue to be appropriately connected with that of the surviving collaborateuse. The present part gives three illustrations, being those of the Indigo bird, Cyanospiza cyanea, the marsh blackbird, Agelæus phoeniceus, and the kingbird, Tyrannus carolinensis, with text of the crow blackbird, Quiscalus æneus. The work will continue in parts until the 100 plates are completed.-Sarah O. Aiken, Washington, D. C.

NICHOLSON'S MANUAL OF PALEONTOLOGY.-The present book consists of two volumes of nicely printed text, illustrated by many good engravings. The attractive appearance of the "Manual," and the fact that it contains a good deal of information, compiled from many sources, produces a favorable impression, and leads one to expect an able treatment of the subject matter. So far as regards the department of Vertebrata we are disappointed. The work, doubtless, has a value in bringing to the notice of students a considerable number of extinct forms, by furnishing good wood engravings. The cuts of recent Vertebrata are generally bad. But the definitions, especially those of the higher groups, are exceedingly defective, and the classifications adopted are generally antiquated or incorrect. In old world palæontology we find, for instance, the classification of Stegocephali ("Labyrinthodontia") of Mr. Miall incorporated bodily; a system, if such it can be called, where all sorts of characters have been put to impossible uses, and the laws of nomenclature extensively disregarded. Especial prominence has been given to American palæontology, but it is evident that, to use a political phrase, the delegation from the United States has been "fixed." The author has profited singularly little by the publications of the General and State Governments of America, but has apparently taken as his guide, Prof. O. C. Marsh's address before the American Association for 1877. This paper is well known here as little more than a record of what is taught by its author to the exclusion of other authorities, and on this account

1A Manual of Paleontology for the use of Students, etc. By HENRY ALLEYNE NICHOLSON, Prof, of Nat. History in the University of St. Andrews. 2 vol. Wm. Blackwood & Sons, Edinburgh, 1879.

does not represent the subject to which it refers. If the author of the manual under review will examine into the claims of the nomenclature he has so extensively quoted from this source, he will find that a great part of it has either no foundation in analytical work, or has been proposed without regard to priority. Such are Dinoceras, Brontotheride, Pliohippus, etc., etc. The erroneous figure of the skull of Coryphodon is copied, when a correct one could easily have been found. Further attention to this department will enable the author to do it justice in a future edition.

RECENT BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS.-Anales del Museo Nacional de México. Tomo I, parts I to 7; pp. 399, pls. 13. Mexico, 1877-79. From the Museum.

The Monthly Journal of Science, and Annals of Biology, Astronomy, Geology, Industrial Arts, Manufactures, and Technology. 8vo, Vol. 1, 3d Ser., No. LXXII, Dec., 1879. London. From the editor.

Bulletin Mensuel de la Société d'Acclimation. 3e Serie, Tome VI, No. 10. Paris, Oct., 1879. 8vo, 545-608. From the society.

(Repr. from Jour. of Nervous From the author.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. 3d Series, Vol. XVIII, No. 108. New Haven, Dec., 1879, with pl. III. From the editors. Cerebral Topography. By S. V. Clevenger, M.D. and Mental Disease, Oct., 1879). 8vo, pp. 27, I pl. Geological Survey of Alabama. Report of Progress for 1877 and 1878. By Eugene A. Smith, Ph.D., State Geologist. 8vo, pp. 138, 3 maps. Montgomery, Ala., 1879. From the author.

Natural History Notes in Western North Carolina. By John T. Humphreys. Paper No. 10. A Hunt for Platinum in the Mountains of Western N. C. Single sheet, no date. From the author.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Pt. 11, 1879. From the society.

Description of twelve new fossil species, and remarks upon others. By S. A. Miller. (Extr. from the Journ. of the Cincinnati Soc. Nat. History, July, 1879). 8vo, pp. 15, pls. 2.

From the author.

Dr. H. G. Bronn's Klassen und Ordnungen des Thier-reichs, wissenschaftlich dargestellt in Wort und Bild. Gliederfüssler: Anthropoda, 28 und 29 Lieferung. 8vo, pp. 1201-1320. Säugethiere, 23, 24 und 25, Lieferung. 8vo, pp. 449-544, 7 pls. Leipzig and Heidelberg, 1879.

The California Horticulturist and Floral Magazine, 8vo, Vol. IX. San Francisco, Cal., Nov., 1879. From the editors.

The Journal of Botany, British and Foreign. 8vo, No. 204. London, Dec., 1879. From the editors.

Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club. 8vo, Vol. VI. Nov., 1879. From the Club.

Grevillea, a Quarterly Record of Cryptogamic Botany and its Literature. 8vo, No. 46. D. c., 1879. From the editor.

The Canadian Entomologist, Vol. XI, No. 12. Dec., 1879. London, Ontario

From the editors.

The Mound Builders: Being an account of a remarkable people that once inhab ited the valleys of the Ohio and Mississippi, together with an investigation into the Archæology of Butler Co., O. By J. P. MacLean. Illustrated. Sm. 8vo, pp. 233 Robt. Clarke & Co., Cincinnati, O. 1879. From the publishers.

and a map.

Boletin del Ministerio de Fomento de la República Mexicana. Folio, Tomo IV, Num. 136-48, Nov. 13th-Dec. 11th, 1879. From the Director of the Meteorological Observatory, Mexico.