Abstract
A NEW catalogue of Mammals is much wanted, and will be of great use to the many workers in that group of animals. This important branch of the Vertebrata appears to have been rather neglected by the authorities at the British Museum, who have recently issued many excellent volumes on the Birds, Reptiles, Batrachians and Fishes in the National Collection, but have done little work on the recent Mammals, although they have catalogued the fossil members of the group. We are glad, therefore, that Dr. Trouessart has taken up the subject, although he merely gives us a systematic list of names and localities, without any descriptions. Two parts of his “Catalogus Mammalium” are already issued. The first contains the Primates, Prosimiæ, Chiroptera and Insectivora; and the second, the Carnivora, Pinnipedia and the first portion of the Rodentia (Protrogomorpha and Sciuromorpha). We presume that a third part will finish the work. Up to the end of the second part, Dr. Trouessart, who includes both recent and external forms, has catalogued 1294 species. Of each of these the principal references and synonyms are given, and a short list of localities. We venture to think that it would have been better if the names of the recent and fossil species had been a little more clearly distinguished in the type. The fossil mammals are only recognisable in the present work by the “dagger” placed before the name, which, may be easily overlooked. In most respects, however, the work appears to have been performed in a satisfactory manner, though it would not be difficult to point out a certain number of slips and errors. We have, nevertheless, no doubt that the volume when complete will be of much use for reference, and will supply a quantity of much needed information.
Catalogus Mammalium tam viventium quam fossilium.
A Doctore E. L. Trouessart., Parisiis. Nova Editio (Prima completa). Fasciculus I. Primates, Prosimiæ, Chiroptera, Insectivora. Fasciculus II. Carnivora, Pinnipedia, Rodentia I. 8vo. (Berolini: R. Friedländer und Sohn, 1897.)
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Catalogus Mammalium tam viventium quam fossilium. Nature 56, 270 (1897). https://doi.org/10.1038/056270a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/056270a0