NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 385 



the shock in falling is not diminished. The Cat, on the other 

 hand, at every spring alights on the fore-legs. Fracture, how- 

 ever, does not take place, because the shoulder-blades are only 

 connected with the skeleton of the trunk by ligaments and 

 muscles, and yield to the shock (prove on the living animal how 

 easily the shoulder-blades can be moved), and also because yet 

 another safeguard occurs in the shoulder-joint. When the weight 

 of the body comes on the fore-legs, the angle between the upper 

 arm and shoulder-blade is diminished, enlarging again when the 

 bones return to their resting position. (Hence we understand 

 why all swift-running and springing animals have no clavicles)." 

 A similar element of practical reasoning is found throughout the 

 whole of this excellent manual, "made in Germany," and its 

 illustrations will serve to interest as well as instruct. 



Introduction to Zoology. By Charles Benedict Davenport, 

 Ph.D., and Gertrude Crotty Davenport, B.S. New 

 York : The Macmillan Company, Ltd. 



This publication is intended for the " use of secondary 

 schools " ; it " attempts to restore the old-time instruction in 

 Natural History " — in method; it is " the outcome of a conviction 

 that the needs of the secondary student are not best met by a 

 course in comparative anatomy." The book is described "as 

 like a ' Synoptic Room ' in the vestibule of a vast museum, 

 containing the most essential things for those who can go in but 

 a little way, but also fundamental for those who can penetrate 

 farther." 



It will thus be seen that the authors have set themselves 

 one of the most difficult tasks in the domain of natural science. 

 To really popularise zoology — and the word " popularise " is not 

 synonymic with " vulgarise " — requires the genius of a Huxley. It 

 depends on knowing all, and having the faculty of stating clearly 

 the one thing needful. To be a college professor is sometimes 

 only the reward of tact and industry ; to be a teacher of the 

 people is a gift of the gods. After all, in secondary and other 

 schools, zoology will be best taught by the enthusiastic and 

 competent teacher, who knows how to expound the text-books ; 



