1899] A WELCOME WORK 229 
number of others are indicated by seeds or other remains that have not yet been 
determined, and there is evidently much work to be done in the field of study 
so well opened by Mr. Reid. Je Wi Hy Tears 
MICROSCOPY FOR BEGINNERS. 
Chats about the Microscope. By HENry C. SHELLEY. 8vo, pp. 101 
(8 blank). The Scientific Press Ltd., London, 1899. Price 2s. 
This is a nicely written and nicely printed little book, beginning with a 
brief account of the compound microscope, methods of mounting, etc., and going 
on to descriptions of various objects living, and otherwise suitable for examination. 
The descriptions are rather flowery than detailed ; the lines are ‘‘ heavily ” leaded 
(Anglice, wide-spaced) to correspond with the extreme meagreness of the text. 
It belongs to a type nearly extinct ; and, on the whole, we think it would be 
nearly as welcome a gift-book to a lad fond of natural history as Wood’s 
“Common Objects of the Microscope,” and more up to date. Most of the 30 
figures are at least fair, but the plate of the hyaline Stephanoceros is nearly as 
grimy as one of Phil May’s “Three Black Pearls,” and the lovely Micrasterias 
Cruxz-melitensis is vilely caricatured. Still we think that it may have a fair 
sale through the opticians. M. 
A PROFESSOR OF PHYSICS DEALS WITH ORGANIC EVOLUTION. 
Die Enstehung des Lebens aus mechanischen Grundlagen entwickelt. By 
Dr. Lupwic ZEHNDER, A. O. Professor of Physics in the University of 
Freiburg i. B. Erster Teil. Moneren. Zellen. Protisten. 8vo, pp. 256, 
with 123 figs. Freiburgi. B.: J. C. B. Mohr (Paul Siebeck), 1899. 
Price 6 marks. 
The author has previously endeavoured in his ‘“ Mechanik des Weltalls” to 
refer all known physical and chemical forces to gravitation ; and he here attacks 
the problem of life. From atoms he leads the reader gently to molecules, and 
from molecules to “ Fistellen” (molecules aggregated in hollow cylinders), and 
before we quite know where we are we have reached the Protists. On the 
ascending path, the gradient of which has been skilfully made easy, our con- 
fidence is increased by two fundamental biological principles: the first, that 
substance endeavours to multiply; the second, that substance endeavours to 
adapt itself to the conditions of existence. It need hardly be said that the 
molecules and fistellae multiply in nutritive conditions, and have their struggle 
for existence like full-fledged organisms. A full discussion of the soul is 
reserved for the third part of the book. Perhaps by that time the learned 
author may have realised that the organism is not so simple as his theory 
suggests. In particular, we should desire more detail in regard to the origin of 
its power of adapting itself. X. 
CHILD-STUDY. 
Anthropological Investigations on One Thousand White and Coloured 
Children of both Sexes, the Inmates of the New York Juvenile Asylum. 
By Dr. Ates Hrpiicka. 8vo, 86 pp. New York, 1899. 
The principal aim of these investigations is to learn as much as possible 
about the physical state of children who are being admitted to and kept in juvenile 
asylums. In the second place, this study is a part of the general anthropological 
work of the author, which is expected to result in an addition to our knowledge 
of the normal child, and of several classes of children who are, morally or other- 
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