A Text-Book of Zoogeography

Abstract

WITHIN the small limits of 246 duodecimo pages of fairly large type, it is scarcely possible to do justice to such an extensive subject as the geographical distribution of animals; and, bearing in mind the difficulties thus imposed upon him, we think the author of the volume before us is, on the whole, to be congratulated on the manner in which he has completed a very difficult task. He has given the student a large amount of very valuable information, and this in a pleasantly-written and easily-understood form. A writer who was not thoroughly at home in his subject might have contented himself with merely giving us abstracts of Mr. Wallace's works, with such corrections as are necessary in order to bring them up to date. Not so Mr. Beddard, who has introduced into his text-book a very large number of facts, chiefly relating to the lower vertebrates and invertebrates, which are not to be found in more pretentious works, and his volume will thus be of value to all students. As being one of the author's specialities, attention is strongly directed to the distribution of earth-worms; and the remarks concerning the curious relationship between the worms of Patagonia and those of Australia and New Zealand will be found specially interesting.

A Text-Book of Zoogeography.

By F. E. Beddard Cambridge Natural Science Manuals. Pp. viii. and 246. (Cambridge: University Press, 1895.)