176 SCIENCE PROGRESS 



work there is the personal side, and his widow has laid under a debt of gratitude 

 all those who had the good fortune to know Richard Assheton as a research 

 worker, teacher, or friend. 



C. H. O'D. 



Recent Progress in the Study of Variation, Heredity and Evolntion. By 

 R. H. Lock, M.A., Sc.D. Revised by L. Doncaster, Sc.D., F.R.S. 

 [Pp. xxiv + 336, with 6 portraits and 47 figures.] (London : John Murray, 

 1916. Price 6s. net.) 



This book is so well known that little need now be said of its general scope and 

 contents. R. H. Lock is another name added to the list of British biologists who, 

 directly or indirectly, have laid down their lives serving their country in her time 

 of need. Although wishful to serve as a combatant, his special and expert know- 

 ledge led to his being appointed chairman of a committee in charge of a station 

 for drying and preserving vegetables and fruit, not only for home consumption, but 

 also to provide variety in the food for the troops. Into this work, as into everything 

 he did, he threw himself wholeheartedly, and continued to go on with it in spite of 

 a breakdown and medical advice to the contrary. When too late he gave in, and 

 after a few days died. The present edition is much enhanced by the addition of 

 a short biography by his wife and a very good portrait of Lock himself. 



Dr. Doncaster has been responsible for the revision of the present work, and 

 his name is sufficient guarantee for the alterations made, and these are so few that 

 they speak well for the work in its original form. The results of recent work, 

 particularly that of the American school, have been included, and certain additions 

 have been made to the short biographies at the end of each chapter. The book 

 is a useful one, and will continue to be widely read. In addition it now forms 

 a memorial to a worker whose clarity of expression, critical outlook, and general 

 enthusiasm for biological inquiry we could ill afford to lose. It can thoroughly be 

 recommended to all who desire to get an introduction to the modern results and 



theories concerning the problems indicated in its title. 



C. H. O'D. 



The Crnise of the Tomas Barrera. By John B. Henderson. [Pp. ix + 320, 

 with 36 illustrations and maps.] (New York and London : G. P. Putnam's 

 Sons, 1916. Price 12s. 6d. net.) 



The scope of this book is well indicated in its sub-title, " The Narrative of a 

 Scientific Expedition to Western Cuba and the Colorados Reefs, with Observations 

 on the Geology, Fauna, and Flora of the Region." It is a well-written and 

 throughout interesting account of a six weeks' collecting trip. The original 

 object was to study and collect the Cuban marine mollusca, a subject in which 

 the author had long been interested. Owing to the unexpected generosity of the 

 owners of a fishing fleet at Havana, who set an example that might with advan- 

 tage be followed in this country, the newest and best boat was put freely at his 

 disposal, and thus the original plan could be considerably extended. The boat 

 was furnished with a large central tank in which live fish could be kept, and this 

 proved of very great value. Various other naturalists also accepted the invitation 

 to join, the National Museum supplied a large amount of collecting material, and 

 the result was, for the time available, a very thorough exploration of the fauna, 

 particularly the invertebrates, of the region. Very interesting accounts are given 

 of the use of copper sulphate for " doping " the tide pools and so bringing out in 

 an anaesthetised condition many animals that would otherwise have been over- 



