a fourth to the east, not far from these; and the fifth in Africa, to the southwest. Two of these groups, more or less modified by crossing, are still located in Asia. The African groups are farther away than the traditions represent, but nearly in the same direction. All of them are fragments of two human races well characterized as blacks, occupying considerable areas in Africa and in Asia respectively, and both including tribes, distinct peoples, and subraces. The name of Negritos is suggested for the dwarf black populations of Asia, Malaysia, and Melanesia, as distinguished from the larger negroes, or Papuans, and Negrillosfor the dwarf African tribes, taken collectively. These definitions and distinctions having been made clear, the author proceeds to detail the general history of the eastern pygmies, of whom the Mincopies of the Andaman Islands appear a conspicuous type, their physical and special characteristics, and of other negroes than the Mincopies; and next of the Negrillos, or pygmies of Africa; closing with a discussion of the religion of the Hottentots and Bushmen. The conclusion is drawn from the study of the Negritos, which have been regarded as very low in the scale of humanity, and by some as related to the "missing link," that "this is not so; and that where they have lived most outside of movement and mixture—which alone elevate societies—the Negritos show themselves true men in all things and for all things."
Economic Geology of the United States. By Ralph S. Tarr, B. S., F. G. S. A. New York: Macmillan & Co. Pp. 509. Price, $4.
In the presentation of this text-book on economic geology the author has extended his primary plan from the issuance of printed notes to accompany a series of lectures delivered before the Economic Geological Class at Cornell University. Hence, a far wider field is destined for a work which will necessarily take the place of books that treat too exclusively of those branches of the subject having little or least importance for more thorough students.
Throughout the volume the reader's attention is directed to the mineral products of the United States, while only those of special importance from foreign localities are dealt with. Apart from the ample reports of State and national geologic surveys, the author has consulted and employs with effect special articles and data selected from leading scientific journals of the day. Also Ore Deposits, by Phillips, the Reports of the Director of the Mint, Day's Mineral Resources of the United States, the Census Reports, Mineral Industries, etc. Tables and illustrations add to the usefulness of the work.
About Mushrooms. The Study of Esculent and Poisonous Fungi. By Julius A. Palmer, Jr. Boston: Lee & Shepard. Pp. 100. Price, $2.
This is a pleasant little book, that will interest both the amateur and the trained naturalist. The classification, or key to the principal forms of large and fleshy fungi, is original with the author, and promises to facilitate the work of those commencing the study of the subject.
Systematic Survey of the Organic Coloring Matters. By Drs. G. Schultz and P. Julius. Translated and edited by Arthur G. Green, F. I. C, F. C. S. New York: Macmillan & Co. Pp. 205. Price, $5.
A thorough knowledge of the chemistry and technology of coal-tar products has within recent years become a necessity with those engaged in the color industry.
The work before us is a technical one, and appears to be thoroughly well suited to the needs of the analyst, the dyer, patent agent, merchant, or others concerned with coal-tar colors.
The editor and translator has carried out the fundamental idea of the authors, and has given us, in as precise a form as possible, all the essential details, including items of the most recent knowledge. There have also been added full tables for the analysis and identification of the various coloring materials.
The Report on the Mound Explorations of the Bureau of Ethnology, an extract from the twelfth annual report of the bureau, by Cyrus Thomas, is based almost exclusively upon the results of explorations carried on by the bureau since 1881. A thorough investigation of all the mounds could not be made with the means at the disposal of the bureau; a superficial examination was not to
