EDITORIAL GLEANINGS.
'Index Animalium.'—By 'Index Animalium' is meant an index to the generic and trivial names (which together make the specific name) given to all animals, whether fossil or recent, by all authors between the years 1758 and 1900. Such an index aims at providing (1) a complete list, (2) a complete entry for proper quotation, (3) an exact date to each entry. The compilation of this great list was commenced by Mr. C. Davies-Sherborn in 1889, and the MS. is housed under the care of Dr. Henry Woodward at the British Museum (Nat. Hist.). Dr. Woodward, who, with the late Sir W. Flower and Dr. Günther, takes special interest in the work, offered the loan of the necessary cabinets for the slips, and the space necessary for the cabinets, so as to ensure safety from fire or other destructive agencies. The British Association, the Royal Society, and the Zoological Society have assisted with funds; while other Societies have assisted with books, or given various facilities for study. The present Committee appointed by the British Association consists of Dr. Henry Woodward (Chairman), Dr. Sclater, Mr. Hoyle, the Sev. T.R. Stebbing, Mr. McLachlan, and Mr. Bather. About two years ago Dr. Sclater suggested that a special effort should be made to get ready for publication the first portion (1758–1800). This has now been done, and the question of printing is under discussion. At the same time it may be mentioned that many thousands of slips belonging to the 1801–1850 portion are already prepared, and the printing of one part and the compilation of the other will go on simultaneously. Such a labour of love—for it really amounts to that—should prove of considerable use to those who live away from libraries; while to librarians it will be of incalculable benefit, if it only induces a proper method of quotation, instead of the slipshod present method, only too common even among entomologists. A special point about the references is that they include not only the original, but also each case in which the trivial name has been associated with another generic name. The compiler has carefully avoided synonymy, and has arranged his entries under species in one alphabet, in which the generic names fall into their proper places. During the progress of the work Mr. Sherborn has published numerous papers on the dates of books that were issued in parts, perhaps the most valuable of which to an entomologist are those dealing with Hübner and Esper. It is calculated that Part I. will deal with 60,000 entries, and no
