Book Reviews 



Outlines of Evolutionary Biology, Arthur Dendy, Univer- 

 sity of London. P. xxxix+454. D. Appleton & Co. $3.50. 



This is a very readable and well balanced book. The author 

 is a zoologist and }et enough of plant evolution is given so that 

 the reader realizes that evolution is a biological, not a zoological 

 problem. The book is as nearly up-to-date as can really be 

 expected in a subject advancing with such rapidity as biology. 

 New facts are coming to light so rapidly that only current maga- 

 zines can represent the real status of biological thought. Part I 

 is devoted to the Cell Theory; 11, the Evolution of Sex; III, 

 Variation and Heredity; l\\ Theory and Evidence of Organic 

 Evolution; V, Factors of Organic Evolution. In the last part, 

 when presenting the views of the earlier biologists, extensive 

 quotations are made from Butit'on. Erasmus Darwin, Lamarck, 

 Charles Darwin, etc., making these chapters among the most valu- 

 able. 



The author believes "that suddenly and exceptionally ac- 

 quired characters, such as mutilations, are occasionall}- l)ut rarely 

 inherited, while, * * * characters which are due to the con- 

 tinued action of some external stimulus '•' * '^ become so firmly 

 impressed upon the organism that they affect the germ cells as 

 well as the somatic cells." 



The book can be commended as one of the best outlines of 

 evolutionary j^roblems, perhaps the best, that has yet appeared 

 in the compass of a single volume. 



Trees in JV infer, A. V. Blakeslee and C. D. Jarvis. 445 pages. 

 The Macmillan Co. $2.(M». 



There are two parts to this book. The first is on the "Plant- 

 ing and Care of Trees'"; the second, 'Tdentification of Trees." 

 In Part I are found an interesting chapter on "Structure and 

 Growth of the Tree," ingenious devices for measuring the height 

 of a tree, and all sorts of tricks of the trade in transplanting and 

 caring for trees. Here are suggestive lists of trees and shrubs for 

 ornamentation with planting plans for the yard. Injuries and 

 insecticides have ample treatment. 



Part II contains the keys for identification and the descrip- 

 tions of species. The keys are based on bark, twig and bud char- 

 acters and are exceedingly convenient. 14ie descriptions are ac- 

 companied by superior illustrations. The whole book is amply 

 illustrated. The book can not receive too warm commendations ; 



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