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GENERAL REVIEWS. 



A 



Treatise on ZoolOg-y.— Edited by E. Ray Eankester.— Pt. ii. The Porifera 

 and Coelentera. By E. A. Minchin, G. Herbert Fowler, and Gilbert C. 

 Bourne. With an Introduction by E. Ray Lankester. 8vo, pp. vi + 37 + 

 178 + 81+84 + 25. London: 1900. Adam and Charles Black. 



The second volume of this valuable work well sustains the high standard which 

 characterised volume i. In the present volume there are six chapters, the first, by 

 Prof. Ray Lankester, treating of the Enterocoela and Coelomocoela, will be 

 welcomed by all zoologists as a masterly exposition of a difficult subject. After 

 emphasising the physiological importance of the coelom, the history of our 

 knowledge of the subject is dealt with, together with its relations to the vascular and 

 excretory systems. The nephridia of the Platyhelmia, Nemertina, Rotifera, 

 Chaetopoda, and embryonic ^iollusca are shown to be of ectodermic origin, whilst 

 in the remaining phyla these have been replaced by uropoetic coelomoducts, which 

 are parts of the coelomic wall itself 



The next chapter is devoted to the Porifera. Prof Minchin groups these under 

 three classes, viz. : — Calcarea, Ilexactinellida, and Demospongiae. The portion 

 devoted to this perplexing group takes up nearly half of the volume, and is by far 

 the most comprehensive and detailed account that has yet been given in any 

 English text-book. 



Dr. Fowler ably treats of the Hydromedusae and Scyphomedusae in the 

 two following chapters. 



The Anthozoa and Ctenophora, dealt with by Mr. Bourne, concludes the volume. 



Most of the illustrations are new, and all are excellent. At the end of each 

 chapter is a carefully prepared bibliography, and a complete index. 



The issue of volume ii only serves to emphasise the completeness of Prof. Ray 

 Lankester's conception ; while the comphrensive nature of this great work makes it 

 indispensable to all teachers and advanced students, and a necessity in every public 

 and scientific library. — W. E. C. 



Descriptive and Illustrated Catalogue of the Physiological Series of 



Comparative Anatomy contained in the Museum of the Royal College of 

 Surgeons of England. Vol. i. Second edition, pp. I +160, pis. i — xiv, and 

 4 figs, in text. London : 1900. Taylor and Francis. 



Prof. Charles Stewart and his able assistants, are to be heartily congratulated 

 upon the appearance of this beautiful and intensely interesting volume. The 

 subjects dealt with are the ■' Endoskeleton," "Flexible Bonds of Union and 

 Support," and "Muscular and Allied Systems." The entry of each preparation 

 bears a registration number, and in many cases a useful bibliographic reference ; 

 while in all cases the descriptions are wonderfully clear and concise. Very many of 

 the prejiarations are new, and as near perfection as possible. This work should be in 

 the hands of the Curator of every Natural History ^luseum in the country, it will at 

 least show so far as a catalogue can, what can be done to illustrate Animal and 

 Plant Structure, when the institution is guided and directed by a competent and 

 qualified chief, even if he does not possess the rare curatorial genius of Prof Stewart. 



The work is illustrated by fourteen plates, mostly coloured, and while very 

 beautiful, many fall a long way behind, so far as reproduction is concerned, those of 

 continental lithographers. 



We eagerly look forward to the publication of other volumes. — W. E. C. 



