Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 2 (1898).djvu/476

444 After the classification of the Vertebrata, a digest is given of their geographical distribution. Then follows an approximate number of recent species of vertebrates, giving a total of 24,241 species.

There is a concluding and original note which we reproduce.

"Supposing the fauna of the world was reduced to the 250th part of living species, then the Primates would be represented by one species only, and this being of course Man, his available menagerie would consist of scarcely threescore species, half of which would be Teleostean Fishes. The rest would be composed of a dozen and a half of Singing-birds; half a dozen each of Lizards and Snakes; four Rodents; four non-singing Neotropical Passerine Birds; two species each of Woodpeckers, Hummingbirds, and Bats; one or two each of Parrots, Pigeons, Fowls and some other Game-birds, Kingfishers, and Birds of Prey; and one species each of a Shark, Frog, Toad and Tree Frog, Gecko, Ruminant, and Carnivore."

Trout has followed the Salmon as subject-matter for a new volume in the Fur, Feather, and (now) Fin Series; and although the capture of the fish occupies a large portion of the work, its natural history is not altogether neglected. It is indeed difficult to read any good book on angling without acquiring some knowledge as to the habits of fish; in fact, it is such knowledge that makes a successful angler. To many naturalists, again, the angler's description of Trout "tailing" and "bulging" will prove a most interesting narrative. "Tailing is a performance frequently witnessed in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire waters, and in South-county streams generally. As may be surmised, the phrase 'tailing Trout' means that the fish are plunging their heads into the weeds, or poking about on the bottom of the river, seeking their food amongst the freshwater shrimps, grubs, and similar appetizing morsels; and in comparatively shallow streams this downward operation causes the fishes' tails to appear above the surface of the water." "Bulging" is the explanation of what to the fisherman will sometimes seem