Marcu 1, 1912] 
elature, to express an opinion upon the first 
use of the word “ genotype.” He writes, Jan- 
uary 30, as follows: 
I can not give the date of the first introduction 
of this word to replace the phrase ‘‘ generic type,’’ 
but I find it was used as early as 1903, as ap- 
parently a word not new. By 1905 it was in com- 
mon use in discussions of generic types and prior 
to 1910 it became officially adopted by the Inter- 
national Zoological Commission. I think the first 
use of the word was by some writer in Nature or 
in the Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 
The word is derived from the Greek word 
yévos =kind, genus and tUmos—=type. The use of 
““9’? as a connecting vowel seems to be consistent 
with general usage in such cases. The derivation 
of ‘‘genetic’’ is given in the Century Dictionary 
as from yéveo1s = generation, genesis. 
I will try to trace it to its origin, and, if suc- 
cessful, report again on the subject. 
This note by Dr. Allen raises the question 
as to the use of “o” as the connecting vowel 
in the term “ genotype” proposed by Johann- 
sen. Why not use “e” as the connecting 
vowel, as in genetic, genesis, ete.? This 
would obviate the confusion which is bound 
to arise and persist if the preoccupied term 
“genotype” is adhered to. It is such a valu- 
able conception of Professor Johannsen’s 
that it seems worth while to have a perma- 
nent and undisputed designation for it. 
Henry FarrrieLp Osporn 
AMERICAN MUSEUM, 
February 7, 1912 
SCIENTIFIC BOOKS 
Grundzuge der Paleobiologie der Wirbelthiere. 
By O. Ase, Professor of Paleontology in 
the University of Vienna. Stuttgart, E. 
Schweizerbart. 1912. Pp. xii-+ 708, fron- 
tispiece and 470 text illustrations. 
This extremely interesting and highly im- 
portant treatise is in effect a text-book of 
adaptation among the vertebrates past and 
present. The subject is, as Doctor Abel ob- 
serves, the most recent development of paleon- 
Speculations, indeed, on the 
habits and environment of extinct animals are 
as old as the first finding of their fossil re- 
tologie science. 
SCIENCE 
341 
mains. But the systematic study of the sub- 
ject, analysis of the adaptive characters of liv- 
ing animals and interpretation of the adapta- 
tion of extinct animals, is a development of 
the last few years. It requires as its ground- 
work thorough morphologic study of complete 
skeletons, which until recent years have been 
very rarely available among fossils. 
The subject is a fascinating one—somewhat 
speculative in the present stage of its develop- 
ment, for the criteria of adaptation are not 
yet perfectly worked out or thoroughly tested. 
But it lends to these dry bones a living interest 
that a systematic treatment lacks, and a 
faunal or even a phylogenetic treatment im- 
perfectly supplies. Doctor Abel has given 
particular attention to this phase of paleontol- 
ogy and his work is authoritative, especially 
in the field of marine adaptations. The sub- 
ject is clearly presented and well illustrated. 
The volume opens with a sketch of the de- 
velopment of paleontologic method. Then fol- 
lows a discussion of the causes, conditions 
and processes of fossilization. The principal 
portion is devoted to the various adaptations 
of vertebrates, especially of fossil vertebrates 
as interpreted by modern adaptations, and a 
full discussion of the criteria of adaptation in 
external form and in construction of feet, 
teeth and other parts. A final chapter dis- 
cusses the relations of paleobiology and phy- 
logeny. 
The analyses of the various adaptive types 
with their parallel and divergent characters 
are admirably clear and serve to bring together 
the latest results of studies in ethology, as the 
study of adaptation is called by Dollo. The 
illustrations are numerous, well chosen and 
instructive. 
The entire volume is surprisingly free from 
errors of fact—such criticisms as may be made 
are in matters of interpretation and theory. 
Doctor Abel is perhaps a little prone at times 
to accept the theoretical conclusions of others 
without sufficient critical sifting of the evi- 
dence, and here and there one finds difficulties 
in reconciling conclusions which in truth are 
based upon mutually exclusive data. 
The volume is crowded with novel sugges- 
