Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/463

Rh spirit of zoology is not neglected, and that the results of a truly scientific expedition like this one will be remembered when many highly boomed excursions, promoted by wealth and designed for sport, will have been mercifully forgotten.

In this part Dr. Willey gives an interesting personal narrative of his travels, and a special contribution on the subject which was the primary object of the expedition. The Pearly Nautilus is of consummate interest to zoologists. It constitutes one of the "persistent types" that has travelled on practically unchanged from pre-tertiary ages; it possesses an earthly—or marine—tabernacle, perfected probably before the evolution of our own; and of its complete embryonic development we are even now not fully informed. But Dr. Willey has brought this subject within measurable distance of a final determination, and has written the memoir on this animal which is the last for present consultation. As regards the morphology of the structure of Nautilus, our author inclines to an epipodial theory; but here our function terminates, and we must refer the reader to the Memoir itself, which is embellished with nine beautiful plates, beside other textual illustrations.

to whom the volumes of Couch, Yarrell, and Day are inaccessible, and who are desirous of a cheap guide to the discrimination of British Fishes, will find this volume a boon. Of course it is a compilation, and made by one who will probably not claim to be a specialist on the subject; but if its aim is clearly understood, and its figures rather than its text be its principal recognition, then the publication will supply a want, and should ensure a very considerable circulation. The plates also are a distinct improvement on those in other publications of the series, and in some instances are successful in portraying the difficult colour-markings of fishes. In Chapter IX., "Genera and Species," will be found a considerable collection of bionomical and other facts, but we wish that space would have allowed of reference being made to the sources from which they