196 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY. [August. 



NOTICES OF BOOKS. 



Physiognomy and Expression. By Paolo Mantegazza. Humboldt 

 Publishing Co., 28 Lafayette Place, New York. 



Professor Mantegazza is director of the National Museum of An- 

 thropology, Florence ; president of the Italian Society of Anthropology, 

 a leading anthropologist of Italy, and his work has been already trans- 

 lated into several European languages. Taking up the study of ex- 

 pression where it was left by Darwin, he has treated the subject in a 

 style that is at once popular and scientific. He has endeavored to dis- 

 tinguish observed facts from mere opinion or imagination, and he has 

 given definiteness and coherence to the many new facts already collected. 



The ancients, from Cleanthes up, believed that they could recognize 

 dispositions from the looks. Lavater, who was a physician, a natural- 

 ist, and, above all, an enthusiast, first gave something of a rational 

 form to physiognomy. What the volume proposes is, •'• to restore to 

 anthropology and to psychology that which belongs to it by right, and 

 to make known the positive documents which we possess to-day on the 

 human countenance and on expression." 



The Quintessence of Socialism. By Prof. A. Schaffle. Translated 

 by Bernard Bosanquet. Humboldt Publishing Co., New York. 

 Paper, 15 cents. 



This is from the pen of One holding high rank among the economists 

 of Germany as well as in the political councils of the empire of the 

 Hapsburgs. What we need at the present time is an accurate knowl- 

 edge of what Socialism really is, for there is no gainsaying the fact that 

 it is a mighty movement. 



Darwinism and Politics. By David G. Ritchie, M. A. Adminis- 

 trative Nihilism. By Prof Thomas Henry Huxley. Humboldt 

 Publishing Co., New York. Paper, 15 cents. 



Mr. Ritchie contends that the phrase " survival of the fittest " is very 

 apt to mislead, for it suggests the fittest or best in every sense, or in the 

 highest sense, whereas it only means, as Professor Huxley has pointed 

 out, " those best fitted to cope with their circumstances." 



"•' Administrative Nihilism " fits in with the preceding essay. The 

 two form a very interesting number. 



Economy Notes. — Miss M. A. Booth says: These are the days 

 when microscope stands suffer from perspiring fingers. It is a good 

 plan to keep a second-hand stand for the thousand and one rough ex- 

 aminations which collectors are making at this season. 



A little rack box for holding slides may be made as follows : Procure 

 or make a box 3J: inches in width and \\ inches in depth. Smear the 

 inside of the two sides with glue. Cut little sticks an inch long from 

 the tops of matches and attach them at intervals of slightly more than 

 the thickness of a slide, and you have a rack box capable of a good 

 deal of service. Covering boxes with cloth (drilling) adds much to 

 their strength. 



