174 



NATURE 



[October 15, 19 14 



disturbances rather than to the wings being held 

 in an inherently unstable position. In any case, 

 these rotations' could certainly be described as 

 lateral, longitudinal, and directional better than 

 by the suggested names of lateral, transverse- 

 axis, and dorso-ventral axis instability. 



However, it must be remembered that this 

 book only claims to be "a record of observations." 

 Dr. Hankin has clearly established the fact, what- 

 ever be the explanation, that "sun soarability" 

 must depend on peculiar meteorological condi- 

 tions which do not exist in temperate climates. 

 As a number of chairs of physics have recently 

 been filled in Indian universities, we may hope 

 that some of the recipients may investigate these 

 conditions, and we must not forget that Dr. 

 Hankin 's observations have mainly referred to 

 the birds rather than to the medium in which 

 thev sail. 



colour-phenomena noticed in sailing flight. It is. 

 of course, very difficult to judge of such matter.- 

 by reading descriptions, but it may be safe to 

 refer to similar colour effects which were shown 

 some years ago in "Benham's Artificial Spectrum 

 Top." This consisted of black and white discs 

 with black bands on them, and was exhibited 

 at Cambridge about the time that Dr. Hankin 

 was a Fellow of St. John's. 



In conclusion, this "record of observations" 

 forms a worthy sequel to the works of Pettigrew, 

 Marey, and other previous writers. G. H. B. 



THE ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN EUROPE. 



AMONGST the many services which Dr. 

 Robert Munro has rendered to anthropo- 

 logy during a long and strenuous career, the 

 appearance of this work by Prof. James Geikie 



P/inio. Phoiochrom. Co., Lid. 



The Laut«rbrunnental. Switzerland. B, B, Bottom of Preglacial Valley ; O, Trench excavated by Glaciei-ice. From " The Antiquity of Man in Europe.' 



Further, he has not by any means restricted 

 his attention to the large Indian sailing birds of 

 prey. Gulls, dragon-flies, flying fishes, all come 

 within the scope of his observations, and not 

 the least interesting feature is the difi"erence in 

 action between different species of dragon-fly. 

 That aeroplanes require a greater degree of 

 camber for low than high velocities is a well- 

 knpwn and obvious truth, and the observation 

 that birds can adjust the camber to the speed is 

 highly interesting. 



In one chapter are described certain remarkable 



NO. 2346, VOL. 94] 



is not the least. Dr. Munro founded a lecture- 

 ship on anthropology and prehistoric archaeology 

 in the University of Edinburgh, which Prof. 

 James Geikie was invited to fill. In this book 

 the Munro lectures, containing the ripe experience 

 of the foremost student of the "Ice-age," are 

 placed at the disposal of archaeologists and 

 anthropologists all the world over. 



It is said that British men of science are inclined 



} " The Antiquity of Man in Europe : being the Munro Lectures, 1913" 

 Fy Prof. James Geikie. Pp xx+328+.\xi plates._ (BMinburgh : Oliver and 

 Boyd; London : Gurney and Jackso.i, 1914.) Price xos. 6d. net. 



