1899] TOWARDS PERFECTION 455 
“With regard to aetiology, the aim will be rather to pave the way for a study 
of causes by an accurate presentation of facts, than to deal at any length and 
more than incidentally with the theory of evolution or the doctrine of descent.” 
S fie ee 
VARIATION -STATISTICS. 
Die Methode der Variations-statistik. By GrorG DUNCKER. Pp. 74, with 
8 figures. Leipzig: Engelmann, 1899. Price 2 marks, 40 pfg. 
As Dr. Duncker explained his position in the last number of Vatural Sezence, 
as Mr. H. M. Kyle discusses the same method in the present number, and as 
Professor Davenport has published an English guide to the use of the method, 
we need not waste space by trying to summarise this booklet on the method of 
variation-statistic. We believe that it is not altogether perfect—it would have 
been almost a miracle if it had been—but it is a clear statement of the method 
by one who has used it to good purpose; and we are grateful to Dr. Duncker 
not only because he has been a pioneer in a fruitful path of investigation, but 
because he has made it possible for any one with a head on his shoulders to 
follow in his steps. 
NOMENCLATURAL CHANGES IN THE EDENTATA. 
Elsewhere we have called attention to certain emendations in the nomen- 
clature of the Chiroptera. A paper by Mr. T. 8. Palmer in the Proc. Biol. Soc., 
Washington, vol. xiii. p. 71, suggests others among the Edentata. In an earlier 
part of the same journal for the current year Mr. G. 8. Miller urged that the 
Armadillos commonly known as Xenurus should be designated 7atoua, Gray 
(1865), on account of the preoccupation of the former term. Now Mr. Palmer 
states that Zatowa must itself yield place to the still earlier Cabassous, 
M‘Murtrie (1831). Such constant changes (altogether apart from the question 
whether barbarous names like the foregoing are admissible) are much to be 
deprecated ; and the least an innovator can do is to make sure that he has 
got hold of the earliest name. Otherwise it is in every way far better to let 
matters stand as they are. 
Mr. Palmer further urges that Cyclothurus, for the Pigmy Ant-eater, must 
give way to Cyclopes, Gray (1821); and, what is much worse, that Uvroleptes, 
Wagler (1831), must replace its own name (Z’amandua) for the Tamandua 
Ant-eater. 
UNGER AND ENDLICHER. 
Briefwechsel zwischen Franz Unger und Stephan Endlicher, herausgegeben 
und erlaiintert von G. Haberlandt. Nut Portraits und Nachbildungen 
zweier Briefe, pp. 184. Berlin: Borntraeger, 1899. Price 5 marks. 
In this publication Prof. Haberlandt has made a most interesting contribu- 
tion to the history of 19th century Botany. Unger and Endlicher were great 
men and great botanists, and this careful edition of their correspondence is full 
of instruction not unmixed with amusement. 
