NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 525 



Dr. G. Herbert Fowler contributes the sections Hydromedusee 

 and Scyphomedusse, organisms which were recently grouped to- 

 gether under the name of Hydrozoa. This portion of the work 

 is distinctly of a character that does not adapt itself to quotation 

 in ' The Zoologist,' though in a biological sense it is none the less 

 valuable on that account. 



The Anthozoa have been entrusted to the care of Mr. G. C. 

 Bourne. The true nature of Corals and Gorgonians was first 

 discovered by the observational method, and was accomplished by 

 Peyssonel, of Marseilles, " who made a number of observations 

 on Corals on the coast of Barbary, and kept several forms alive 

 in aquaria." We are reminded of the old, old story, when we 

 read that " Peyssonel's observations were laid before the Academy 

 of Sciences of France in 1727, but his views were strongly opposed 

 by Reaumur, whose authority was sufficient to condemn them." 



A most welcome feature of this volume is the adoption of the 

 historical method. Terms are traced to their proposers; the men 

 who first extended the boundaries of knowledge are brought in 

 line with the more advanced workers of to-day, and in the appre- 

 ciation of present results the pioneers of the past are not for- 

 gotten. The evolutionary principle is emphasized on every page, 

 without the reiteration of personal theories, or the infliction of 

 complicated terms which lack definition and reflect too frequently 

 only personal opinion. Whilst the work of Haeckel is recognised, 

 we know that the true evolutionary spirit is present. 



Another excellent departure is the provision of an index at 

 the end of each section, and this in the day when the Bible and 

 Shakspeare are still published without that necessary adjunct. 



Origin and Character of the British People, By Nottidge 

 Charles Macnamara. Smith, Elder & Co. 



It is no disrespect to this book to regard it largely as a very 

 useful compilation. Of course any attempt to discuss the origin 

 of the British or any other people can scarcely be divorced from 

 the question of the derivation of Man himself. Mr. Macnamara 

 does not shirk this responsibility. He is convinced " that no 

 animal whose skull is ossified according to the method which 



