to render their eggs almost indistinguishable from their environment, Ægialitis pecuaria being a good example of this practice, and its nest is well-illustrated. As we look over these interesting illustrations, we feel that in regions where the birds have been collected and identified the old days of killing and skinning may be considered as closed. The work of the camera has only just commenced, and we would commend to those who have the opportunity, the great possibilities in going over the ground of the old naturalist travellers, provided only with the means of photography. 'The Camera on the Amazons,' the 'Photographer in the Malay Archipelago,' are books we would fain see and read.
This is another result of the good work accomplished on board the Royal Indian Marine Survey Ship 'Investigator.' In our last volume we noticed a similar publication referring to the Deep-Sea Brachyura and Indian Deep-Sea Fishes, and we now receive an enumeration of the Crustacea. But this is more than an enumeration, seeing that full descriptions of all the species are given; in fact, we have a monographic account of the results of an expedition that is a real evidence of an enlightened administration. Like all sectarians, zoologists must—apart from the larger questions—judge governmental departments by the support they give to their own cause. Whether imperialists or republicans, the duty of all zoologists is to see that science is not neglected by the State. A voyage of the 'Challenger' is far more important to us than the measures which seem often designed by well-meaning legislators to show their incapacity for recognizing the trend of evolutionary progress. The work of the Royal Indian Marine Survey Ship 'Investigator' covers a multitude of infirmities in Indian administration, and Dr. Alcock is to be congratulated on the valuable use he has made of his opportunities.
