>Dear Andrew (and others),
>
>At the risk of starting a war of words, I ask you to specify (on this list,
>because many of us have this work) your unsubstantiated statement regarding
>'the Southern synthesis'. Knowing many of it's contributors, and having
>seen them work on the volumes I cannot offer anything but praise for their
>magnificent work.
>
>Most of the information included in these books is not published there for
>the first time, but rather, the work is a collation of knowledge about the
>families of mollusca known from Australia (but including knowledge not
>limited to Australia). That is what makes it so valuable.
>
>If a book collates available information, how can it be questionable? I
>accept that some people may not agree with some of the taxonomic placings
>as published in the series, but we must recognise taxonomy as a highly
>subjective science, and nobody will ever agree with everything published in
>such a work. Still, disagreement does not make a work questionable
>
>Please elaborate on your statement with facts
>
>Patty

I cannot, as my source would NOT appreciate being named. I don't have
the knowledge to comment personally on the book, which superficially
is pretty impressive.
--
Andrew Grebneff
165 Evans St, Dunedin 9001, New Zealand
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