<)2 I^i-vie7vs and Book Xoticcs. 



Ill its liiadforil nu-eliiii;. We also wi-Uonic tlic story of ' Kiniafuli,' which 

 ap|X'ari-tl in 'Natural Science.' Whilst the prcsiiil ifciU'ration is not 

 likch- to fbrjj;ct that excellent journal, its pieniature decease \wa\ result 

 in futuie students not having' this narrative of the effort to bore a coral 

 island so easy for reference. It therefore finds a suitable place in the 

 present volume, as also do the addresses on the ' Influence of Oxford on 

 (ieolog-y ' ('Science Proj^rcss"), ' Orij^in of Freshwater Animals,' (Royal 

 Dublin Society), ' (leology and Deluges '(' Nature,') etc. Some of these, 

 however, are largely re-written, and contain much new matter. One 

 chapter on 'The Formation of l-Tuit,' is new, and 'gives a connected 

 account of the results of observations and discoveries extending over a long 

 series of \ears, and is perhaps the first attempt \-et nijide to trace in detail 

 the origin, growth, and final decay of that puzzling object, the common 

 flint.' To Yorkshire and Lincolnshire geologists this chajitcr is particularly 

 interesting. One of the essays, on ' A visit to the Lipari Isles," is written 

 in a lighter vein, and though it may contain a few references not geological, 

 it is not the less welcome. It at any rate bears evidence that even the pro- 

 fessor of Geology at Oxford is human. Though the essays are upon such 

 a variety of subjects, they appear to follow each other quite naturally, and 

 we agree with the autlior that the volume 'appears to have come together 

 through a natural process of evolution.' 



Nebula to Man. By Henry R. Knipe. J. M. Dent v^- Co. 251 



pages. 21/- net. 



This large volume is undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary that we 

 have seen for some time. It contains a sketch of the history of the evolution 

 of the Earth on the Nebular Hypothesis — from that far-off time when 

 ■• A f,'lowing mist, throujth realms of space uiiboiindecl 

 Whirls on its way, by starry hosts surrounded." 



to the present day, the whole being written in rhyme ! 



In his preface the author states, ' To attempt a work of this kind in 

 rhvme is, I know, a bold experiment. But, however severely scientific in 

 some of its aspects, the Story of Geology is truly the most enchanting story 

 in the world; and rhyme may well be regarded as an appropriate form in 

 which to present it. Indeed it is a fit theme for jjresentation in a much 

 higher form than this; and we may well hope that some day it will be taken 

 in hand b)' some great poetic g^enius.' Let us hope so. In the present 

 work, however, wonderful as it is, the desire to rhyme has resulted in the 

 frequent use of words which would not otherwise have appeared — words 

 which have obviously been used because they rhymed, and not because they 

 best expressed the author's thoughts. In the chapter devoted to the Epocli 

 of Great Glaciation, we find : — 



" Weird is the scene. Ice shattered fjreat ami small 

 Of various shapes lies off the littoral. 

 And throng it is thai well may call to mind 



A roadstead filled with craft of every kinil." 

 .\nd later. 



" Meanwhile are other glaciers wandering far 



On.divers routes from Scandinavia. 



Some far to north their glasssy cargoes bear 



Down sloping vales, coal carrying as it were 



To Newcastle. Others south-eastwards stretched 



With facile steps have distant regions reached, 

 and so on. The book is, however, most beaulifulh' illustrateil .Messrs. 

 L Smit, L. Speed, J. Charlton, H Bucknall, C. Whymper, E. A. Wilson, 

 and Miss Alice Woodward having contributed over 70 excellent plates, 

 fourteen of which are coloured. These for the most part represent restora- 

 tions of the various beasts which come under Mr. Kni])e's review, and are 

 \cry clever. They certainly add much to the value of the book. 



I£xtinct Animals. By E. Ray Lankester, F.R.S. .\rchib:ild 



C"i;iistal)le \' ("o. ,\^i pages. 7/() net. 



In this alti-active aiul uell-illustr.iteil volume is reproiluced a report ol 

 the series of lectures delivered at the Royal Institution during the Christmas 

 Holidays of 1903-04, by Dr. i-ankestei-. The lecturi-s were prepared for a 



Katurali?!. 



