REVIEWS. 359 



organs of digestion, vascular system, respiratory system, excretory and 

 reproductive system, and nervous system. The descriptions are usually 

 sufficient. A list of practical questions and suggestions is found at the 

 end of each chapter. The latter are nearly all directions as to the 

 drawings to be made, while the former are intended to direct the student's 

 attention to important characters. It is a fair question if college students 

 should not be expected to learn to see for themselves without such explicit 

 hints. If they do not learn to use close observation, what becomes of 

 the scientist's claim for the educational value of his subject? 



The author makes a few observations in every chapter on the compara- 

 tive anatomy of the Mammalia, but they are so feeble as to have no value, 

 and are of a class generally which should be included in the lectures of 

 the teacher giving the course. The same may be said of the remarks on 

 microscopic anatomy and physiology, which also are found occasionally. 



The list of definitions of terms used in osteology is good. The descrip- 

 tion of the skull is taken up in a new order, but accomplishes its purpose 

 as well as any. The illustrations of the skeleton are the best in the 

 book. 



Some of the figures, as 12, 14, 35, 44, 52, and 64, are inexcusably 

 poor. Fig. 88, which is a diagram of the structure of the kidney, is 

 another illustration of the fact that an original drawing is not always an 

 improvement on those already published and available. A figure of a 

 generalized type^of carpus (see fig. 36 B) is much better copied from an 

 authority on the subject, and accredited to him, than offered as an original 

 contribution by an author whose study of comparative anatomy has not 

 been extensive. 



For the study of the muscles the author gives first a well-drawn figure 

 of each part, and then a table telling the name, origin, insertion, and 

 function of each muscle. The combination is rather too much for the 

 good of the student, and must tend to reduce this part of the course to 

 pure memory work. The figures alone, with a few directions as to 

 procedure, would be sufficient and would compel the student to do real 

 dissection. 



The consistent use of the terms craniad, caudad, etc., is not always 

 pleasing. When two organs lie in the head, and one is described as 

 "craniad to" the other, we know, of course, what is meant, but can not 

 help feeling that the use is rather absurd, while-the occasional employ- 

 ment of an Anglo-Saxon word would neither be absurd nor incorrect. 



The chapter on the organs of digestion is decidedly unsatisfactory. 

 This is the result very largely of the manner in which the author writes 

 his description. As a matter of fact, the reader can not help feeling 

 that every portion of the book proves that the author does not appreciate 

 the power of the English language to express ideas, when properly used. 



The discussion of the fiber tracts of the central nervous system belongs 



