256 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY [Aug, 



used in decoration, illustrations of ancient pottery and other 

 articles of arcliajological interest. Heretofore there have been 

 many interesting articles vvitli original illustrations and by 

 various artists It is a periodical in every way worthy the 

 careful perusal of all art lovers. 



The July Monist c )ntains two important articles on evo- 

 lution. Pro^'. Joseph Le Conte, in the first article, entitled 

 " The Theory of Evolution and Social Progress," reviews the 

 history of the development-idea in all its phases, distinguish- 

 ing four grades or planes of e'/olution — physical, chemical, 

 biotic and human. To each there is a natural limit, and the 

 evolutionary process can continue only by being lifted in each 

 successive instance to a iiigher grade with new factors. The 

 first three have already reached their goal; only the last, ra- 

 tional evolution, now remains. Here the signification and 

 character of the new factor — voluntary rational co-operation — 

 which differentiates the new grade from the rest, must be borne 

 in mind in all sociological applications of the principle. 



Prof. Le Conte points to the revolting consequences of the 

 view which rejects the inheritance of acq lired characters, and 

 emphasizes the beneficent and encouraging features of the 

 Lamarckian factors in social evolution. He counsels caution 

 and a strict subordi lation to a wise empiricism in all political 

 applications of scientific theories. 



MICROSCOPKAL NOTES. 



^Vhich Book? — Frank Edel in the Druggists Circular for 

 July says : 



Gages' Microscopical Methods is considered by many compe- 

 tent judges the best book in English on the subject. Clark's 

 Practical Methods in Microscopy is also an excellent work and 

 the writer believes that Microscopical Praxis by Stokes is very 

 valuable as a book of reference. C.irpenter's '" The Microscope 

 and its Revelations" is very complete and thorough. But for 

 the uses of the ^tude.it. Gage's book is much the best. 



He might also say that Gage's is far less expensive than 

 Carpenter's. 



