A Handbook to the Primates (Allen's Naturalists' Library)

Abstract

OF the series of which the present work forms a part, five volumes have now made their appearance, namely, one on Marsupials and Monotremes, one on British Birds, a third on Butterflies, and the two now under consideration; while a sixth, on British Mammals, is now in the press. In the three volumes previously issued, it was found practicable to make use of the original plates (with the addition of a few new ones) from the old “Jardine's Naturalists' Library”; but those in the volume in that series devoted to monkeys were such grotesque caricatures, that both editor and publisher were soon convinced that their reissue was impracticable. Consequently, the plates (twenty-nine in number, in addition to several maps) in Mr. Forbes's volumes have all been prepared from entirely new sketches from the pencil of Mr. Keulemans. Whether the lithographers have been quite as successful with some of these as they might have been, we think is doubtful; the colours in some instances being decidedly too bright, while in others the execution is too coarse, and not sufficiently detailed. As a whole, however, they are very creditable, while some, such as the portrait of the Aye-aye, forming the frontispiece to the first volume, are admirable specimens of artistic work.

A Handbook to the Primates. (Allen's Naturalists' Library.)

By H. O. Forbes. 8vo. 2 vols. illustrated. (London: W. H. Allen and Co., Limited, 1894.)