NATURE 
[MarcH 7, 1912 
two following pairs of legs. The observation of 
this torsion, however, is not quite novel, for it 
was briefly but accurately described by Boas in 
his well-known (but apparently little read) “ Studier 
over Decapodernes Slegtskabsforhold”’ (Vidensk. 
Selsk. Skrifter, Kj benhavn, 1880). The periodic 
arrangement of the teeth on the fingers of the 
great claws is described, and it is shown to arise 
in a very simple way by the successive appear- 
ance of new sets of teeth between those already 
existing. Reference is made to Stahr’s fantastic 
opinion “that the esthetic sense of this self- 
admiring crustacean is aroused as its eye wanders 
over the dentate margin of its ‘ hand.’ ” 
The habits and reactions of the larve are dealt 
with at some length, and many interesting facts 
are recorded in connection with their swimming 
movements, food (and occasional cannibalism), 
colour, and power of colour-change. Even their 
psychology is not neglected, for it is stated that 
the “instinct of fear’? becomes apparent only at 
Fic. 2.—Swimming attituces of young lobsters in the first free stages 
a, body bent in usual quadrant form ; 4, lobster swimming astride the 
carcase of another and devouring it; c, thoracic legs directed forward ; 
d, rising position occasionally assumed; e, ‘ floating’’ position ;_/, too 
weak to rise. 
the fourth stage, when the little lobster prepares 
to give up its free-swimming life and to seek 
shelter on the bottom. 
Prof. Herrick’s remarks on the subjects of pro- 
tective legislation and artificial hatching of lob- 
sters are worthy of close attention. He strongly 
advocates the view that a minimum size-limit, 
such as most lobster-fishing countries have 
adopted, is ineffective on account of the fact that 
the smaller lobsters, which alone are protected, 
are vastly less fertile than the larger individuals. 
Some striking statistics are given to show the 
futility of artificial hatching unless the young 
lobsters are reared through the critical pelagic 
stages before they are set free. 
As is usual with publications of the United 
States Government departments, the style of print- 
ing and illustration forms a pleasing contrast to 
that of most official publications in this country. 
We onG 
NO. 2210, VOL. 89] 
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN THE SUDAN.! 
| reviewing the third report of the Wellcome 
Research Laboratories (NaturE, June 24, 
1909), we suggested that it would be advisable 
to separate the purely medical subjects from those 
dealing with agricultural or economic questions 
and matters of general scientific interest. This 
has been effected in the fourth report, and we now 
have two volumes, A, Medical, B, General Science, 
but the change is accompanied by at least one 
drawback, viz., that each of the separate volumes 
is now as large as its parent, and in addition we 
have a still bulkier review of the literature. 
If we may unburden ourself at once of initial 
criticism, it is that these volumes are too bulky. 
From Fourth Report 
Wellcome Tropicai Research Laboratones, Khartoum 
Copynghi, 
Fic. 1.—Sharpened teeth as practised by the Nyam-nyam. 
This, we believe, is not entirely due to the number 
of subjects included, but in part to the diffuse 
style in which many of the articles are written, 
and the desire to impart elementary information— 
a praiseworthy desire, but one we think perhaps 
out of place in reports dealing with researches. 
The articles would, in our opinion, be improved 
by severe pruning. We suspect that there are 
certain considerations which prevent this, but for 
1 Fourth Report of the Wellcome Tropical Research Laboratories at the 
Gordon Memorial College, Khartoum, Dr. Andrew Balfour, Director. 
Vol. A, Medical, pp. 404+xxili plates+118 figs. Price 21s. net. Vol. B, 
General Science. pp. 333. Price 18s. net. Supplement to the Fourth 
Report, pp 448. Price 15s. net. (London; Published for the Department 
of Education, Sudan Government, Khartoum, by Dailliére, Tindall and Cox, 
TOIT.) 
a? eS ee 
