NOTICES OF BOOKS. xlv 



The Principles of Biology. By Herbert Spencer. Vol. i. Revised 

 and Enlarged Edition. London : Williams & Norgate, 1898. 



It is with great pleasure that we welcome the appearance of the 

 first volume of the revised edition of Mr. Herbert Spencer's Principles 

 of Biology. It is hardly possible to overestimate the effect exerted, 

 some thirty-four years ago, by the first edition of this important work, 

 and if it is now less familiar to the younger generation of students, this 

 is chiefly due to the rapid growth of knowledge in all departments of 

 Botany and Zoology which tends to render earlier general works less 

 able to reflect the trend of current thought. 



The new edition, however, is greatly enlarged and brought up to 

 date, and will form a delightful and indispensable occupant of the 

 library, not only of the biologist, but also of every one who is interested 

 in the philosophical problems which are inseparably associated with 

 a study of the living organism. The author, as ever, generously acknow- 

 ledges the aid which he has received from various persons — an aid 

 which the enormous literature renders it imperative for any one to seek 

 who attempts to synthesise a system of Philosophy on so wide a basis 

 as that covered by Mr. Spencer. 



