346 NATURAL SCIENCE [November 



brother who was not legal, though we think he only means to say that 

 the gentleman in question is a solicitor. And what are we to make of 

 the following sentence : — " We are so matter-of-fact in our science — 

 too matter-of-fact — to thoroughly appreciate the science which has 

 become science, become what is known (scio, I know) by the labours 

 of the great men of the past, who alone, perhaps, when discovering, 

 were able fully to realise the poetry of their own discoveries." It is 

 perhaps our own fault, but we are unable ' to thoroughly appreciate ' 

 either Mr Martin's facts or his style. 



JJohn Hunter 



John Hunter : Man of Science and Surgeon (1728-1793). By Stephen Paget. With 

 Introduction by Sir James Paget. 8vo, pp. 272. London : T. Fisher Unwin, 

 1897. Price, 3s. 6d. 



Mr Stephen Paget's small volume on John Hunter inaugurates a 

 new series, entitled " Masters of Medicine," edited by Dr Ernest Hart, 

 and published by Mr Fisher Unwin. It is not a technical work 

 appealing merely to the medical profession ; it is a well-written and 

 highly entertaining account of one of the greatest students of biology 

 in the last century, full of interest to the general scientific reader. 

 The volume does not contain much new matter ; but Mr Paget has 

 spared no pains to go to the original sources for information, and he 

 has made good use of the letters and records preserved in the Eoyal 

 College of Surgeons, London. 



John Hunter, as a great pioneer in biology, is perhaps too much 

 neglected by the present generation. His infusion of purely scientific 

 methods into the profession of surgery led to results of such moment 

 that his labours in other directions are apt to be overshadowed and 

 forgotten. Those, however, who are familiar with such of his biologi- 

 cal and geological writings as were recovered and edited by Sir 

 Eichard Owen in 1861, can estimate the old surgeon at his true worth ; 

 and it is of no little importance that his memory should be kept green 

 in the minds of those who are now following in his footsteps. Mr 

 Paget's delightful chapters can scarcely fail in this purpose, and we 

 urge all who have not yet realised the extent and bearing of John 

 Hunter's researches and the influence of his personality, to read the 

 new biography at once. His favourite maxim was — " Don't think, 

 try ; be patient, be accurate." The story of his life will be found 

 inspiriting by any plodding student. 



Pengelly 



A Memoir of William Pengelly, of Torquay, F.R.S., Geologist, with a Selection 

 from his Correspondeuce. Edited by his daughter, Hester Pengelly. With a Sum- 

 mary of his Scientific Work, by the Rev. Professor Bonney. 8vo, pp. x. 341, 

 portrait and 10 illustrations. London : John Murray, 1897. Price, 18s. 



Not only the numerous personal friends of William Pengelly but also 

 all who are interested in the progress of our knowledge of the anti- 

 quity of man and allied subjects, will be glad to learn that Miss Hester 

 Pengelly has published an account of her father's life. The hand- 

 some volume of over 300 pages which we have just received, contains 



