Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 1 (1897).djvu/514

486 store them, and no space in the Museum building to exhibit such of the objects as should properly be shown to the public. As I have already pointed out, there is probably no museum in the world in which so small a proportion of the objects worthy of exhibition is visible to the public, or in which the objects are crowded together so closely. It is now more true than ever that if another museum building as large as the present one were provided, it could be at once filled with specimens already on hand." We feel no doubt that our American cousins will be equal to the occasion.

well-known contributor, Mr. J. Steele-Elliott, has favoured us with the first instalment towards 'The Vertebrate Fauna of Bedfordshire.' This is not only excellently printed on good paper, but is also issued for private circulation, a most commendable instance of a true zoological spirit, and one that should meet with warm appreciation, especially as Bedfordshire "has received less attention than almost any other county." The work has commenced with the birds, and the author informs us that when complete it is expected that the first volume will be devoted to Aves, and the second volume will embrace Mammals, Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fishes. We trust nothing will interfere with the due completion of a very useful book.

has contributed to the 'Proc. United States Museum' a memoir on "The Food Plants of Scale Insects (Coccidæ)." The author remarks that two practical points may be emphasized—one, the unexpected number of Coccids found on many of the cultivated trees and shrubs; and the other, the frequency with which species dangerous to fruit trees will occur on ornamental plants, which may be carried from place to place, and be the means of disseminating the scales. "It must, of course, be understood that the plants given as the hosts of Coccidæ have been in very many cases so infested only since they came into cultivation. It would be very desirable to distinguish in every case between the endogenetic and exogenetic Coccids on a plant, and also between those exogenetic in a state of nature, and those only so in cultivation. But to do this would require more information than we at present possess." This is a welcome memoir on the subject, bringing the bibliography up to date, and giving a botanical classification to these insect-pests.

have received from Messrs. Adam and Charles Black a pamphlet written by J.C. Ewart, Regius Professor of Natural History, Edinburgh, on 'A Critical Period in the Development of the Horse.' We read that, according to the evidence obtained by the Royal Commission on Horse Breeding, it appears that about forty per cent. of the mares selected for