The Zoologist/4th series, vol 6 (1902)/Issue 734/Notices of New Books
NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS.
There is perhaps not so much to be said which is new on this subject, as there is on some other zoological Phyla. We have in recent years been able to read the 'Introduction to the Study of Mammals,' by Flower and Lydekker, and one of those authors has since considerably amplified his subject in the 'Royal Natural History.' Besides these publications, "Mammalia" may be said to be one of the zoological subjects now in vogue, and the monthly descriptions of new and subspecies is astounding to those who thought that the mammalian census was approximately worked out. In America the study is advancing by leaps and bounds, and when a similar enterprise is shown in other zoological regions, our present knowledge of the smaller mammals will probably be shown as quite fragmentary. Moreover, the describer of a mammal is always sure of an audience. To the uninitiated, the larger the form the greater its zoological importance, and the diagnosis of an Okapia will be discussed by those who are oblivious to the existence of a freshwater Medusa. A Gorilla constitutes a more likely topic to draw a sympathetic audience at a British Association meeting than does the story of the life-history of a Nautilus, though sometimes the danger of fever is sufficient to direct a temporary public interest in so minute and humble a form of life as the Mosquito. In the work under notice, Mr. Beddard does good service in again attacking a current mammalian heresy, viz. "that ancient quadrupeds are huger than their modern representatives," in many cases the position being reversed. "The Mammalia first appeared upon the earth in a tentative and hesitating way; they had not cast off many of the characters of their supposed reptilian forefathers; they shrank from observation and destruction by their small size, and apparently—so far, at any rate, as their teeth afford a clue—by an omnivorous diet."
Mr. Beddard divides the Mammalia into two Sub-classes—(1) Prototheria, including the Monotremata, and possibly the Allotheria; and (2) Eutheria, embracing all the other divisions; and we are glad to see that in the Primates the Hominidæ terminate the onward or upward ascendancy of the Anthropoidea. We may yet live to see Man more fully described in a treatise on the Mammalia, and our descendants will probably read a natural history commencing near a club-moss, and terminating with the genus Homo. In insisting that other animals than ourselves have neither spirit nor reason, we study their bodies only; in approaching man from a spiritual side alone, we are likely to forget that he has a body for zoological classification.
It is needless to say that this book is as handsomely illustrated as the other members of the series, and will be found as readable and useful. Mr. Beddard has not only worked hard to bring his facts up to date, but has also incorporated a notice of many current views and theories which not infrequently are "gladly heard," but sometimes rest on an insecure basis. However, both dogma and theory appeal to a large audience, and always receive a respectful hearing; and, though our author has referred to some speculations, he has also submerged them in a sea of facts.
We have received the first seven parts of this publication, to which fuller reference will be made when the work is completed. It promises to prove a work of great utility to those many collectors of Lepidoptera who do not confine themselves to a purely British collection, and who remember that these islands form part of the European continental division. It is very handsomely illustrated.
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse