REVIEWS 675 



But it is obvious that the weight of this argument diminishes at an enormously 

 rapid rate as the total number of chips is increased. Thus, making the same 

 assumption as before, where there are three chips the constant angle would 

 only exist according to the same law of probability in i out of 182, and where 

 there are four chips the required constant angle would only exist in i out 

 of 18^ ; and so on, until the minority becomes excessively small. This 

 mathematical aspect of the matter is ignored by the author, although it is 

 obviously germane and essential to the discussion. Moreover, as was pointed 

 out some years ago by Professor Sollas, under certain circumstances, as, 

 for instance, when a flint is firmly embedded in a matrix and subjected to 

 percussion or pressure acting only in one direction, the likelihood of fortuitous 

 flaking showing the required angle would be greatly increased. We think 

 that this aspect of the matter ought to have been discussed in the present 

 work, for it is obviously relevant to the criteria which are brought forward. 

 And we think that the argument could be used -with force against many of 

 the eoliths, including some of the Kentian eoliths figured in this work. But, 

 after a careful consideration of the flaking of the Rostro-Carinate implements 

 so beautifully illustrated in the plates, we think that the mathematical argu- 

 ment can scarcely be used effectively against them. 



The book is full of other interesting points, especially perhaps in relation 

 to the evolution of the early palaeolithic implements themselves. In regard 

 to this matter, the existence of the so-called " side-choppers " appears to 

 be a strong point in favour of Mr. Moir's argument. We notice a slip on 

 page 25. The specimen represented by fig. 6 is said to be of the same 

 provenance as those of figs, i and 2 ; but, according to previous statements, 

 the provenance of the flints of figs, i and 2 respectively is not identical. 

 The passage on page 42 would appear to be somewhat unnecessary. The 

 reader is hardly likely to suppose that the makers of palaeoliths were con- 

 versant with Darwinian philosophy ! But Mr. Moir is scrupulously anxious 

 to meet false impressions half-way. A. G. T. 



An Introduction to Palaeontology. By A. Morley Davies, D.Sc, A.R.C.S. 

 [Pp. xi -i- 414, with 100 figures.] (London : T. Murby & Co. Price 

 I2S. 6d. net.) 



Dr. Morley Da vies 's little book makes much more interesting reading than 

 the majority of textbooks on palaeontology. It is not a mere handbook for 

 reference, but is arranged on a plan which is in many respects original, and 

 there are pages which read more like a palaeontological essay than a textbook. 

 The first chapter, for instance, which is on the Brachiopoda and is one of the 

 best sections of the book, strikes one at once as possessing some of the charm 

 which distinguished the writings of so many of the leisured naturaUsts of 

 fifty or a hundred years ago. Whilst the author gives a great many necessary 

 details, and, so far as we can see, gives them usually with scrupulous accuracy, 

 he constantly refers to general questions, which the details he is discussing 

 serve to illustrate. Another excellent feature is that he tells the student 

 more about the living forms of life than geologists usually do. The book has 

 twelve chapters, of which the first four deal respectively with the Brachiopoda, 

 LamelUbranchia, Gastropoda, and Cephalopoda. Chapter VI deals with the 

 Vertebrata, and Chapter X with the Vegetable Kingdom. In the chapter on 

 the Vertebrata one finds that the birds have been reduced to a mere " order " 

 of the Reptilia, an innovation which would, we think, have been more defensible 

 if the Aves (as also the other divisions) had been given the rank of what is 

 technically known as a " sub-class." The classification is in certain other 

 respects unusual ; thus, in the Mammalia we find not only " sub-classes " 

 but " super-orders," the Insectivora, Rodentia, Carnivora, Edentata, and 

 Cheiroptera being united into a super-order Unguiculata. The Sirenia are 

 included in the Ungulata, which is raised to the rank of a " super-order." 



