XII SCIENCE PROGRESS. 



that Morrant Baker in his Jfirst preface remarked that in editing Kirke 

 only two courses were open : either to entirely re-write the work, or else 

 to follow closely on the lines of the original author, adding such matter 

 as the progress in Physiology made imperative. Morrant Baker adopted 

 the latter course throughout his seven editions. Dr. Halliburton has 

 accepted the other alternative ; and the magnificent text-book which he 

 has elaborated proves that his decision was a wise one, and that his 

 confidence in himself was fully justifiable. Although Professor Halli- 

 burton is perhaps best known as an investigator of the chemical side of 

 Physiology, it is impossible to detect in the new edition any undue pre- 

 ponderance of matter dealing with this side of the Science ; indeed, if 

 one were to pick out any one section as being better than the others, it 

 would perhaps be that which treats of the structure and functions of the 

 nervous sj-stem. In this, all the latest work of Ramon y Cajal, Mott, 

 Golgi, Gowers, and many others, is ably summarised, without being 

 overburdened with excess of technical detail, and a most valuable addi- 

 tion is a projective scheme of the cells and fibres of the brain, spinal cord, 

 and peripheral end organs, constructed for the work by the author, with 

 the assistance of Dr. Mott. This scheme presents most adequately 

 the state of our present knowledge on the subject, and is founded on 

 sound physiological data, and contrasts strikingly with many of the 

 hypothetical schemata of a few years ago. Another valuable addition is 

 that excellent diagram of Ramon y Cajal of the expansion of the audi- 

 tory nerve in the cochlea. Altogether, there are something like loo 

 more illustrations in this edition than in the one that preceded it, and 

 many of them greatly enhance the value of the hand-book from the 

 teacher's as well as the student's point of view. As for the text, where 

 all is excellent, it is unnecessary to particularise, and it is not too much 

 to say, that if "Kirke" has lost anything in the abandonment of old tradi- 

 tion, it will certainly gain in prestige in that wider sphere of physio- 

 logical thought and teaching over which Professor Halliburton exercises 

 an undoubted influence. 



A Popular Exposition of New Zoology. By K. Mitsukuri. To- 

 kyo : 1895. 



Under the above title Professor Mitsukuri of the Imperial Uni- 

 versity of Tokyo, Japan, has lately issued a popular work dealing with 

 the broad principles of the study of animal life. The book is fully 

 illustrated by woodcuts, which are simple and well chosen. After an 

 Introduction, in which a well-selected list of General Treatises is given, 

 there follow seven chapters dealing in order with " The Natural World," 

 " The World of the Living," " The Number of Living Things," " The 

 Kinds of Animals" (three chapters) and "The Fundamental Principles 

 of Classification ". These are succeeded by seven other chapters, de- 

 voted in succession to the Anatomy, Histology, Reproduction, Develop- 

 ment, Growth, Distribution, and Colours of Animals ; and the whole is 



