New Natural History Books. 103 



Lamarck,' ' Phenomena and Conditions of Life,' ' The Forces in the 

 Organism,' ' The Building Stones of the Organic World,' ' The Origin of 

 Life,' ' The Evolution Theory,' ' The Factors of Evolution,' ' The Conser- 

 vation of Life,' and ' Reproduction and Heredity.' The book is well 

 illustrated, some of the plates being in colours. The object of the volume, 

 however, is to shew that it is no longer possible, having regard to the 

 advances of modern research, to find complete satisfaction in being an 

 out-and-out believer in the Darwinian or Lamarckian or any other theory. 

 The factors which the different doctrines assume to be at work in the 

 genesis and evolution of the organic world are, in the author's opinion, not 

 exclusive, for the Theory of Selection, the Doctrine of Adaptation and of 

 Use and Non-use, and finally De Vries' Theory of Mutations, offer each 

 for a certain section of organic evolution a sufficient and satisfactory 

 explanation. 



The Migration of Birds, by T. A. Coward. (Cambridge, 1912, 137pp., i/-). 

 This is one of the admirable and well-bound ' Cambridge Manuals of 

 Science Series,' issued from the Cambridge University Press. Our readers 

 are already familiar with I\Ir. Coward's work, and in the present little 

 volume he has prepared an excellent summary of the dilficult question 

 of migration, dealing with it from its various aspects. To shew the thorouo^h 

 way m which the subject is handled, we quote the following sub-headings 

 to one of the eleven chapters : ' Direction of Passage,' ' The Potentiality 

 of Flight,' ' Habit of Wandering,' ' Memory,' ' Extension of Range,' 

 'Influence of Temperature,' 'Desire for Light,' 'Glacial Epoch,' 'Food 

 Basis,' ' Sexual Impulses,' ' Competition.' We strongly recommend our 

 readers interested in ornithology to purchase this cheap volume. 



Earthworms and their Allies, by F. E. Beddard. (150 pp., i/-). 

 This is in the same series as the' preceding volume, and is similarly 

 well produced. As will have been noticed from the pages of ' The Natura- 

 list,' the study of a neglected branch of natural history, viz. : the earth- 

 worms, has recently been revived, and many important additions to our 

 knowledge have been recorded in these pages" and elsewhere. The volume 

 principally deals with the question of the geographical distribution of 

 earthworms, though in order so make this question better undorstood 

 Mr. Beddard has prefaced his rernarks by an excellent anatomical and 

 zoological summary, illustrated by diagrams. The volume refers to 

 nearly all the usually admitted genera of worms, particularly of the ter- 

 restrial forms, which at present appear to be the more important in con- 

 sidering the question of geographical distribution. 



Aristotle's Researches in Natural Science, by T. E. L^nes. London 

 West, Newman & Co., 1912. 274 pp., 6/- net. 



There is no doubt that, as the author of this volume points out, much 

 is said and much more has been written at different times and in different 

 places, in reference to Aristotle's scientific work ; in fact, a formidable 

 list of treatises on the subject is enumerated. But there is still room for a 

 single volume, re-examining his statements as far as possible by first-hand 

 research, and utilising the work of previous investigators. Dr. Lones 

 summarises the nature and value of Aristotle's researches in subjects now 

 considered to belong to physical astronomy, meteorology, physical geo- 

 graphy, physics, chemistry, geology, botany, anatomy, physiology, em- 

 bryology and zoology. In that part of the work relating to anatomy! etc. 

 the author has tested .\ristotle's statements as far as pcssible. We must 

 say that Dr. Lones appears to have thoroughly and conscientiously studied 

 the very large subject he now so well summarises. 



The Ox and its Kindred, by R. Lydekker. (271 pp., 6/-. Methuen & 

 Co.). In view of the interest that has arisen in connection with British 

 wild cattle, etc., and the notes thereon which have appeared in " The 

 Naturalist," we have every confidence in recommending Mr. Lydekker 's 

 igi2 June i. 



