DECEMBER 31, 1897. ] 
s’observent dans cet ordre sont maintenus dans 
des bornes qu’ils ne sauraient dépasser; les races 
des corps vivants subsistent toutes, malgré leurs 
variations ; les progrés acquis dans le perfection- 
nement de l’organisation ne se perdent point ; 
tout ce qui parait désordre, renversement, 
anomalie, rentre sans cesse dans l’ordre général 
et méme y concourt; et partout et toujours la 
volonté du sublime Auteur de la nature et de 
tout ce qui existe est invariablement exécutée.”’ 
Lamarck rather rarely uses the word perfec- 
tionnement; hence I have italicized it. 
The passage concerning the aquatic animals 
very clearly shows a belief in a tendency 
toward perfection apart from other factors. 
The other passages, especially the last, are fully 
confirmatory. 
I have been unable to consult the Histoire 
Naturelle, except as quoted by Professor Osborn 
and others. Possibly it is there that Professor 
Osborn finds authority for the statement that 
Lamarck denied absolutely the existence of a 
perfecting tendency. But so far as the Phil- 
osophie Zoologique is concerned the ease is 
clear. 
The point I haye raised is important now 
only as 4 matter of history, but in the interest 
of 2ccuracy it seems desirable that Lamarck’s 
true views should be emphasized. It would 
appear that he was not ‘completely carried 
away with the belief that his theory of the 
transmission of acquired characters was ade- 
quate to explain all the phenomena’ (Osborn 
l. c., p. 180); rather, the ‘ Lamarckian factor’ 
played a subordinate part in his scheme of eyo- 
lution. And, if this interpretation be correct, 
it would seem that Darwin’s criticisms of 
Lamarck are more nearly just than is generally 
supposed, and that, as Perrier says, he was, 
‘by an astonishing contradiction, at once a 
finalist in his general views, and a determined 
opponent of final causes in details.’ 
JOHN GARDINER. 
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, BOULDER, CoLo. 
MEMORIAL MEETING COMMEMORATIVE OF ALLEN 
AND HORN. 
A GENERAL invitation is extended to all those 
interested to be present at a memorial meeting, 
commemorative of Harrison Allen, M.D., and 
SCIENCE. 
997 
George H. Horn, M.D., to be held in the library 
hall of the Academy of Natural Sciences of 
Philadelphia, on Friday evening, December 
31st, at eight o’clock. The following gentle- 
men will make addresses : 
Dr. Edw. J. Nolan, ‘The Relations of Doc- 
tors Allen and Horn to the Academy and other 
Societies.’ 
Mr. S. N. Rhoads, ‘Dr. Allen’s Work in Zo- 
ology.’ 
Dr. D. G. Brinton, ‘Dr. Allen’s Contributions 
to Anthropology.’ 
Professor John B. Smith, Se.D., ‘Dr. Horn’s 
Contributions to Coleopterology.’ 
Rey. Henry C. McCook, D.D., ‘Dr. Horn as 
a Physician and Naturalist.’ 
E. G. ConkLin, Pu.D., 
J. CHEsSTON Morris, M.D., 
D. G. Brinton, M.D., 
Rey. Henry C. McCook, D.D., 
HENRY SKINNER, M.D., Ch’m. 
Committee. 
THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES 
OF PHILADELPHIA, 
LOGAN SQUARE. 
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE. 
Memorials of William Cranch Bond, Director of 
the Harvard College Observatory 1840-1859, 
and of his.son, George Phillips Bond, Director 
of the Harvard College Observatory 1859-1865. 
EpWARDS. HotpEN. San Francisco. 1897. 
Pp. iii+296. 8oc. With illustrations. 
In this work Professor Holden has given a 
most interesting account of the two men who 
established the Observatory of Harvard College 
and carried it on for its first quarter of a cen- 
tury—a time of great importance for the de- 
velopment of astronomy in this country. 
In 1840 the beginnings of permanent observa- 
tories in this country had already been made; 
in 1865 the Observatory at Cambridge had ac- 
quired, under the Bonds, a recognized position 
in the astronomical world, and the Bonds had 
contributed to the general progress of the 
science. 
Professor Holden’s work has been rendered 
important, and at the same time difficult and 
thankless, by circumstances which he finds 
