CURRENT LITERATURE 59 



Leathesia crispus, by A. D. Cotton, F.L.S. {Jour?i. Bot, 1908, 

 pp. 329-331). — Epiphytic on Chondrus crispus, first described by 

 Harvey from Cumbrae. 



Biographical Index of British and Irish Botanists, by 

 James Britton, F.L.S., and G. S. Coulger, F.L.S. {Journ. Bot. 1908, 

 Nov. Supplement, pp. 1-15). Includes a number of natives of 

 Scotland. 



BOOK NOTICES. 



Animal Life. By F. W. Gamble, D.Sc, F.R.S. Pp. 305, 

 ^vith (iT^ illustrations. London : Smith, Elder, and Co. Price 

 6s. nett. 



Of the legions of books issued in recent years which have been 

 devoted to the elementary study of animal life this is one of the 

 most readable and most valuable. Not that it contains more matter 

 of fact than the average nature study book — indeed the average 

 nature study book is generally so over-crowded with matters of fact 

 that the legitimate fancies of the biologist, the theories which 

 endeavour to reduce his hotch-potch of facts to system, are crushed 

 out — but because here structural details and the like are placed in 

 their proper settings, and are treated, not as isolated items of in- 

 formation, but as illustrations of some established generality. Dr. 

 Gamble aims at " dealing with the adaptations and factors of 

 animal life in a broad and connected manner," and he has adopted 

 a method of treatment which admirably carries out his object. In 

 turn the great life-activities and the responses which they have 

 called forth are taken up and discussed under such headings as — 

 the organisation of animal life, movement, the quest for food, the 

 breath of life, the senses of animals, the colours of animals, and the 

 welfare of the race ; while the scheme is completed by a long chapter 

 on the life-histories of insects. Throughout, as must be within so 

 limited a compass, the treatment is suggestive rather than complete, 

 but the material has been carefully chosen, and so skilfully have 

 the themes been handled that the discussion never fails to be both 

 interesting and stimulating. 



Of adverse criticism we have little to offer. On p. 33 it is 

 alleged (as, indeed, is usual) that in the Brittle-Stars the tentacles have 

 no suckers at their tips, and that the creature's movement is an un- 

 gainly shuffle caused only by fin-like motions of the arms. But 

 surely such an explanation does not allow for the fact that Brittle- 

 Stars can cling to and climb the glass walls of aquaria? The 

 reference on p. 113 to fig. 19 F should obviously be to fig. 26 F. 



The get-up of the book is pleasing, the type clear, and the 



