24 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



attempt at describing the individual inhabitants of the ocean, but 

 a broad survey is taken of the fundamental forces of nature which 

 control life under the waves. In discussing the influences of the 

 periodic changes in the sea, and the factors of distribution, the food 

 and feeding of its inhabitants, the author puts into our hands keys 

 which unlock many fascinating mysteries — such as the migration of 

 herring, the hibernation of flat-fishes, the pulses of marine life. 

 The book aims at and ought to reach the reader who wishes to 

 understand the deep, underlying principles of oceanic life. 



The second volume, an equally original treatise, gives a short 

 but well-written account of modern ideas on the relationships of the 

 main groups of the animal kingdom, their origin and evolution, and 

 the facts presented by embryology and comparative anatomy in 

 evidence thereof. Naturally, the attempt to deal with such 

 important subjects within the compass of 150 small pages proves to 

 be anything but light reading, but the eight chapters are skilfully 

 written, while the 25 carefully chosen illustrations will prove helpful 

 to those unversed in biological technicalities. 



The Life of Crustacea, by W. T. Caiman, U.Sc. ; pp. xvi. + 289, 

 with 32 plates and 85 figures. Methuen & Co. ; price 6s. 



Of the long-desired volumes dealing at large with the crabs and 

 lobsters, and their many relatives, this is certainly that which will 

 most attract the general reader. For once the dry bones of structure, 

 as such, are laid gently to rest, and we view this wonderfully diverse 

 group from the point of view of life and adaptation to living. 



The majority of the Crustacea are so little known that few 

 indeed have received the hall-mark of currency, a popular name; 

 but in spite of this handicap, Dr Caiman has no difficulty in filling 

 his pages with entrancing reading. In turn, the inhabitants of the 

 shore, the deep, the open sea, freshwater, and the land are gathered 

 together, and their habits studied in the light of their environment. 

 So the consideration of their relationships to each other, to other 

 animals, and to man gives opportunity for the introduction of facts 

 of great interest. The many plates and abundant text figures are 

 remarkable for their excellence, and there is a good index. Two 

 slips have come under our notice: in the penultimate line of p. 12, 

 read epipodite for exopodite ; and in the Index " respiratory siphon 

 of Albunea" is under "antennae" instead of "antennule." The 

 success of this volume ought to induce experts in other groups to 

 review their subjects from some such vital standpoint as is here 

 adopted. — J. R. 



