1899] TOWARDS PERFECTION 455 



" With regard to aetiology, the aim will be rather to pave the way for a study 

 of causes by an accurate presentation of facts, than to deal at any length and 

 more than incidentally with the theory of evolution or the doctrine of descent." 



J. A. T. 



VARIATION - STATISTICS. 



Die Methode der Variations-statistik. By Georg Duncker. Pp. 74, with 

 8 figures. Leipzig: Engelmann, 1899. Price 2 marks, 40 pfg. 



As Dr. Duncker explained his position in the last number of Natural Science, 

 as Mr. H. M. Kyle discusses the same method in the present number, and as 

 Professor Davenport has published an English guide to the use of the method, 

 we need not waste space by trying to summarise this booklet on the method of 

 variation-statistic. We believe that it is not altogether perfect — it would have 

 been almost a miracle if it had been — but it is a clear statement of the method 

 by one who has used it to good purpose ; and we are grateful to Dr. Duncker 

 not only because he has been a pioneer in a fruitful path of investigation, but 

 because he has made it possible for any one with a head on his shoulders to 

 follow in his steps. 



NOMENCLATUEAL CHANGES IN THE EDENTATA. 



Elsewhere we have called attention to certain emendations in the nomen- 

 clature of the Chiroptera. A paper by Mr. T. S. Palmer in the Proc. Biol. Soc, 

 Washington, vol. xiii. p. 71, suggests others among the Edentata. In an earlier 

 part of the same journal for the current year Mr. G. S. Miller urged that the 

 Armadillos commonly known as Xenurus should be designated Tatoua, Gray 

 (1865), on account of the preoccupation of the former term. Now Mr. Palmer 

 states that Tatoua must itself yield place to the still earlier Cabassous, 

 M'Murtrie (1831). Such constant changes (altogether apart from the question 

 whether barbarous names like the foregoing are admissible) are much to be 

 deprecated ; and the least an innovator can do is to make sure that he has 

 got hold of the earliest name. Otherwise it is in every way far better to let 

 matters stand as they are. 



Mr. Palmer further urges that Cyelothurus, for the Pigmy Ant-eater, must 

 give way to Cyclopes, Gray (1821); and, what is much worse, that Uroleptes, 

 Wagler (1831), must replace its own name (Tamandua) for the Tamandua 

 Ant-eater. 



UNGER AND ENDLICHER. 



Briefwechsel zwisehen Franz Unger und Stephan Endlicher, herausgegeben 

 und erlaiintert von G. Haberlandt. Nut Portrats und Nachbildungen 

 zweier Briefe, pp. 184. Berlin: Borntraeger, 1899. Price 5 marks. 



In this publication Prof. Haberlandt has made a most interesting contribu- 

 tion to the history of 19th century Botany. Unger and Endlicher were great 

 men and great botanists, and this careful edition of their correspondence is full 

 of instruction not unmixed with amusement. 



