306 BihIiograpJdcal Notices. 



again appearing alphabetically under each subject, and cross-refer- 

 ences between the two portions of the book are also given. 



Two criticisms of the work might be made. Beyond the state- 

 ment that it is the second annual issue and tho date of publication 

 (1903), no indication is given of the period that is covered ; pre- 

 sumably it is the year 1902. Secondly, in the subject catalogue it 

 would be a great convenience if the subject dealt with were briefly 

 indicated in headings to the pages. As it is, several pages may 

 have to be turned over before arriving at the subject heading. It 

 is true that the last objection is perhaps removed bj an excellent 

 index. 



The Old Kiddle and the Newest Answer. By John Gera.ei), S.J., 

 F.L.S. London : Longmans, Green, & Co. 1904. 

 The object of this book is to show not only that Haeckel, in his 

 ' E-iddie of the Universe,' claimed more for the theory of evolution 

 than is warranted by the facts — and no one doubts this, — but 

 that this theory, when it comes to be closely and carefully examined, 

 proves absolutel)' valueless as an explanation of the origin and 

 development of life upon the earth. It is, in short, a thing vainly 

 invented, and grounded upon no warranty ! 



That the author should have arrived at a conclusion so extra- 

 ordinary in the face of the evidence before him is inexplicable. 



The case for the prosecution is conducted with much skill. 

 Huxley's evidence is made again and again to tell against the 

 theory for which he worked so hard. The evidence in other cases 

 is of very questionable value. What reliance, for example, can be 

 placed on the opinion of an eminent botanist as touching the evolu- 

 tion of the horse ? 



Many times in the pages of this book the author has presented 

 the evolution theory, or the Darwinian hypothesis of " natural 

 selection," in a guise which shows clearly that he has failed to 

 a])preciate not only the significance of the facts involved, but also 

 the essential principles of these hypotheses. 



The argument for the evolution theory from the evidence of 

 geographical distribution rests on a quotation from the ' North 

 British lleview' for 1867 ! The marvellous series of Proboscidean 

 remains in the British Museum afford overwhelming testimony to 

 the theory of evolution ; and their evidence in this connexion was 

 pointed out, only a few mouths ago, in a course of lectures by 

 Prof. E. Ray Lankester. The author makes but a passing reference 

 to these, and then passes immediately afterwards, without further 

 comment, to discuss the views of Gaudry on the Mastodon and 

 Dinotherial 



Of the Proboscidea the author, in an earlier part of his book, 

 says: — "These, like other families, to judge from the evidence we 

 have, began with the biggest representatives . . . ." Surely the 

 word " biggest " should read " smallest " ! 



But we have said enough. "We close this volume with a sense of 

 disappointment and regret. The author seems to have undertaken 

 this task with the conviction that the theory of evolution must be 



