of insects. The contrasts in the geological features of the State influence the botany, and this affects the character of the insect forms. There are no large collections of insects in the State. Collectors are few. Some aid was got from collectors in New York and Philadelphia, but their excursions into New Jersey covered only a limited area, and were mainly directed in special lines. Except in Coleoptera and Lepidoptera, New Jersey is practically unexplored, and the northern and northwestern regions are not represented, even in the collected orders. The author himself, collecting in all orders, in different parts of the State, though for too short a time, has been able to add considerably to all the lists, from his own experience. His catalogue includes 6,093 species, of 2,307 genera and 238 families, and is arranged after the Linnæan system. Mr. Nelson's catalogue of vertebrates is a revision of Dr. Abbott's catalogue of 1868, and it has been found a laborious task merely to incorporate the changes in nomenclature and classification which have been made within the last twenty years. Mr. Nelson has added descriptions of each species, with particular reference to features distinguishing it from its allies; and the descriptions have been made most complete for birds and fishes.
Principles of General Organic Chemistry. By Prof. E. Hjelt, Helsingfors. Translated by J. B. Tingle, Ph. D. London and New York: Longmans, Green & Co. Pp. 220.
Every one who has had anything to do with the teaching of organic chemistry will assent to the statement of Prof. Hjelt that students are very apt to overlook general principles and relations in their endeavor to remember particulars concerning single substances. To remedy this defect he has made a book, intended as a supplement to ordinary text-books, which is devoted to the chemical philosophy of the carbon compounds. Its object is to extend and systematize the knowledge of these substances which the student has obtained from other sources. In Part I the composition, constitution, and classification of organic. compounds are discussed and explained. Part II is devoted to illustrating the connection between the constitution of organic compounds and their chief physical properties. Part III deals with the chemical behavior of organic compounds. The reactions described in this section are arranged according to the results—dehydration processes, for instance, being all classed together. Two editions of the work having been received favorably in Swedish, a German version was prepared by the author, and from the latter the English translation has been made.
The Coast Indians of Southern Alaska and Northern British Columbia. By Ensign Albert P. Niblack, U. S. N. Washington: Smithsonian Institution. Pp. 161.
There is much to tell about the Alaskan "wards of the nation" and their relatives in the British dominions. Sufficient, evidence is given in this monograph to show that the Indians of the Northwest coast have a high degree of skill in many arts, industries, and pursuits, a systematic tribal organization, interesting customs and ceremonies, and traditions and folk-lore which are instructive to the student. The information here presented is based on the collections of objects in the United States National Museum, and on the personal observation of the author in connection with the survey of Alaska. Subdivisions of the above topics are treated with varying fullness in fifteen chapters, the text being illustrated with seventy full-page plates. The carvings in wood and slate, and the woven garments and baskets here figured, display much ingenuity, while the accounts of the way in which these peoples have adapted themselves to the ways of civilization give proof of much mental strength.
Inorganic Chemistry, Theoretical and Practical. By William Jago, F. C. S. London and New York: Longmans, Green & Co. Pp. 458.
The author of this work is an experienced writer of chemical textbooks. The present volume is described as a manual for students in advanced classes—that is,for those who have some acquaintance with the common elements, and some knowledge of chemical reactions. It does not omit any essential subject, but elementary matters are treated briefly, while larger space is given to the laws of chemistry and to manufacturing processes. A feature of the book is a
