BREHM'S TIERLEBEN ^ 



ROBERT M. YERKES 



The famous work of Brehm, which first appeared in 1864, 

 has been thoroughly revised and improved by the addition of 

 recently acquired knowledge, under the editorial direction of 

 Professor zur Strassen. It will consist in this — its fourth edition 

 — of thirteen volumes, with about two thousand figures in the 

 text, more than five hundred colored plates, etchings, and wood 

 cuts, and thirteen maps. 



The editor's preface gives so much valuable information con- 

 cerning the new form of the great Natural History of Animals, 

 that we present it herewith in English. 



" "When the BibHographic Institute first proposed to me several years ago that 

 I should prepare a new revised edition of Brehm's Tierleben, my first impression 

 was that the revision must be limited to the absolutely necessary changes. For 

 with respect to ' Brehm,' like almost all German zoologists, I have stood since my 

 childhood in a relation of sincere affection, and I half felt that a 'bettering' of the 

 honored and esteemed book in important points was impossible. 



" In the revision it has been my primary aim — with the full approval of the 

 publishers — to retain those features to which the ' Tierleben ' owes its reputation : 

 the fresh vitality and popular exposition combined, in the happiest manner, with 

 wealth of content. But, on the other hand, it became clear to us that the process 

 of bringing ' Brehm ' up to date could not this time be limited to the introduction 

 of new discoveries and the omitting of antiquated material, but that, modification of 

 the general plan in numerous important points w-as unavoidable. Above all, that 

 the great acquisition of our time, the theory of evolution, must be emphasized 

 more strongly than previously. Even externally, instead of the descending series 

 that order must be chosen which, beginning with the simplest organisms, leads 

 upward to the highest. In the text, moreover, reference should be made to the 

 descent and blootl-relations of animals wherever they may be determined with 

 sufficient certainty. On this account it seemed necessary, to a greater extent than 

 previously, to describe the structure of animals and the functions of their inner 

 parts. For with the greater extending of naturalistic knowledge even the public 

 has become more familiar with this aspect of animals. Ric-h additions in the way 

 of anatomical illustrations, in which the work formerly was almost entirely lacking 

 are provided. 



" And finally, there is still another important point: Animal Psychology. In 

 the old ' Brehm ' mention was often made of the ' feelings ' of animals, and espec- 

 ially of mammals and birds ; of their ' loves, hates, and fears ' ; and what they 

 do instinctively was referred, without much thought, to their ' intelligence ' and 



'Brehm, Alfred E.: Tierleben. Allgemeine Kunde des Tierreichs. Vierte, voll- 

 standig neubearbeitete Auflage, herausgegeben von Prof. Dr. Otto zur Strassen. 

 Leipzig und Wein, Bibliographisches Institut. 1911. (13 Bande in Halbleder ge- 

 bunden zu je 12 Mark.) 



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