Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/337

Rh discovering that each in his own particular line knows more than the author does of that line, and if some two or three such specialists talk over the book together they are apt to come to the conclusion that the poor author has not been very successful in his undertaking. Now this conclusion is not necessarily just, and it certainly would not be just in the present case. Of course we should have no difficulty in pointing out several passages wherein we are aware, either from our own knowledge or from the information of expert friends, that Mr. Pascoe is behind the existing state of science, or has not reproduced in the most accurate manner the results at which the latest workers on some particular groups have arrived; but that would be an ungracious task, and one from which we gladly abstain. We must not compare the general systematizer with the specialist, but with other general systematizers. We need mention no names, but we have made the comparison, and from it, we think, Mr. Pascoe comes out very fairly. There never has been a system, and in our day we never expect to see one, that could stand a test so severe as some would impose. We might say that all would like to impose, because it is clear that to impose such a test with reason can only come to pass when Zoology is far further advanced towards perfection than, in spite of its legions of votaries, there is any chance of happening for a long time.

Mr. Pascoe's book can hardly fail to be useful. Without being able to pronounce it a very extraordinary production, we are bound to say that it has some great merits. To take even the lowest view of it, and to treat it merely as an Index to the Animal Kingdom we do not hesitate to say that the author deserves well of his zoological brethren for having published it. Every one knows how new genera and larger groups are being multiplied day by day, and how it is becoming almost impossible for a man, even of the greatest zeal, to keep himself sufficiently informed of these matters to read intelligently an article in any periodical that treats of Natural History generally. This handy little book will often supply the knowledge wanted, when a work of greater pretension would be troublesome to consult or perhaps not available for reference till the occasion for using it had passed away. Should Mr. Pascoe, as we hope he may, have the opportunity of bringing out a new edition, perhaps he will pardon us for suggesting that he would do well to submit the pages containing each group to the best authority thereupon that he can find. We are sure he would thus