Abstract
REGULAR, visitors to the Fish Gallery at the British Museum (Natural History) during recent years have watched with interest the rearrangement under the supervision of Mr. J. R. Norman. The large number of new casts and models, due to the skill of Mr. S. Stammwitz, have resulted in an exhibition illustrative of fish life that would be difficult to improve upon with present-day resources. The first part of the new guide to the Gallery contains a general account of classification, the scheme adopted being that proposed by Dr. C. Tate Regan (British Museum (Natural History). Illustrated Guide to the Fish Gallery. By J. R, Norman. Pp. x + 175+6 plates. London: Trustees of the British Museum, 1937. Is. 6d.). A wealth of interesting notes on habits and on fisheries turns what might otherwise be a rather dull catalogue into fascinating matter for general reading. The second and rather larger portion of the book is taken up with descriptions of the special exhibits, of which there are eighteen. These are evidently such as will cater for the needs of most visitors. They include such items as the crucifix fish, of interest to the credulous rather than to the serious student, who will find more to his taste in the section (and exhibit) devoted to breeding habits and development of coloration. This is an excellent guide book, but it is more than that ; it is an elementary text-book of fish life. It is well written and well illustrated, in which connexion a word of praise must be spared for Lieut.-Col. W. P. C. Tenison's accurate and charmingly executed drawings.
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A Guide to Fishes. Nature 141, 71 (1938). https://doi.org/10.1038/141071a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/141071a0