1897. HUMAN EVOLUTION. 191 



to the individual, it is not to the good of the race ; in fact, all evolu- 

 tion shows that the good of the race and of the individual are 

 antagonistic. The less fertile race will inevitably succumb to the 

 more fertile, and this decrease of the birth-rate heralds its disappear- 

 ance. It is remarkable that a book dealing with the evolution of 

 Man says nothing of a factor more important than any of which it 

 treats. 



However, Mr. Reid's work does well to call attention to man's 

 evolution in certain respects. He says it is a book for the general 

 public, and to that public it may be commended. Unfortunately, the 

 taste of the general public is for works on evolution that show bad 

 science and worse argument, well spiced with theology, and Mr. 

 Reid's book is certainly not of that kind : it leaves theology alone. 

 One may dissent from some of his statements and many of his con- 

 clusions ; still he has a right to the position he takes up, while his 

 arguments deserve and require careful consideration. His attempt to 

 arouse public attention is praiseworthy, and deserves success. 



S. S. BUCKMAN. 



Charlton Kings, near Cheltenham. 



