Zoological Atlas (including Comparative Anatomy), with Practical Directions and Explanatory Text for the Use of Students

Abstract

THIS Atlas is prefaced by the following remarks:—“In treating of the Invertebrata I have thought it advisable to depart slightly from the plan followed with the Vertebrata. There are five great divisions of Vertebrates recognised by naturalists, and a type or so of each was found to answer the purpose in view; but among Invertebrates the range of structure is immensely greater, and the typical forms are thereby necessarily increased. In order to preserve the just proportions of the subject, and out of the whole make a fair selection, I have treated most of the forms in less detail than the Vertebrates.” With the above statement no objection could be found; as to the method of carrying it out, we notice that while four out of the sixteen plates are devoted to illustrations of the group of Protozoa, there is not even a single figure given of the Sponges, nor of the Hydrozoa, nor of the Actinozoa, and for their absence we can find no other excuse than what is given in the above quotation. As to the plates of Protozoa, we perceive that there is no exact indication of the size of the forms figured, unless indeed in a footnote, which states that the forms figured “are all microscopic, with the exception of the Nummulites.” Now if there is one thing more than another that a student requires to be reminded of while studying “microscopic” forms, it is that they vary immensely among themselves as to size, and it is surely necessary that he should have some definite ideas as to those sizes beyond the range of unassisted vision, such as he may be presumed to have of those objects within this range. Neither has the author been to our mind happy in his selection of forms of the Protozoa “from standard works on the subject.” His Atlas is meant for students in this country, and where are they to get specimens to work with of such genera as Protogenes, Vampyrella, Myxastrum, Protomonas, Protomyxa, Lieberkühnia, and the like. The student interested in “pond-life” may possibly admire the exquisite and artistic delineations of their old favourites, Paramœcium, Daphnia, Cyclops, &c., given in the Atlas. The festooned surface of Paramœcium, the appendages of Daphnia and Cyclops are certainly figured as they have never been heretofore. It is really refreshing to turn from the old and well-worn figures to the bold originality of these plates; in them the author has courageously followed the theory of zoological representation laid down by the celebrated German artist with reference to Camelus, sp., but is scarcely to be congratulated on the wonderful results he has achieved. Some of the diagrams are acknowledged as from the originals of Huxley and Gegenbaur; these are good.

Zoological Atlas (including Comparative Anatomy), with Practical Directions and Explanatory Text for the Use of Students.

Invertebrata. By D. M'Alpine. 249 Coloured Figures and Diagrams. (Edinburgh and London: W. and A. K. Johnston, 1881.)