No. 395.] REVIEWS OF RECENT LITERATURE. 905 
a conclusion which agrees well with what was previously known con- 
cerning the development of the red corpuscles. 
Gustav Fornier points out (Biol. Centralblatt, Bd. XIX, p. 549) 
that the lizard, Lygodactylus picturatus, and several other species of 
the genus are provided with a sucking disk at the end of the tail, 
similar in structure to those on the toes. 
BOTANY. 
Colors of Flowers. — The author of this contribution ! to the dis- 
cussion of the origin and significance of color in flowers has evidently 
set out with a clearly defined purpose. In his preface he declares 
that he was not entirely satisfied with the soundness of the theories 
of Grant Allen and of Hermann Miiller, whom he brackets together 
as authorities. Moved by this discontent, he investigated the color- 
ation of many flowers (and of some other things), and this little work 
embodies his results. 
Briefly stated, Mr. Hervey’s conclusions are to the effect that 
Grant Allen’s hypothesis in regard to the sequence of colors, namely, 
that yellow is the primitive color, and that white, red or purple, violet 
or blue are more highly evolved colors, is an untenable one. Miil- 
ler’s statements in regard to the preferences of certain insects for 
especial colors are taken up in some detail and considerable evidence 
is adduced in the attempt to show that insects are somewhat indiffer- 
ent to color, and that many of them, honey bees for example, find 
very inconspicuous and partially concealed nectariferous flowers by 
“instinct.” Bumblebees, by some inscrutable neglect of evolution 
or Providence, have unfortunately been left out in the distribution 
of this instinct and have to get along without it, making up, however, 
to some extent for the lack of it by the brutality with which they 
bite through corolla tubes and help themselves to nectar. 
The author offers “as an original solution of the subject [of the 
origin of honey-guides]’’ the statement: “This richness of color [in 
Tropæolum] is occasioned by the irritating influences of the bees in 
traversing the same route to and from the nectary, thus stimulating 
the flower to send more of its peculiar pigment to this point, same 
1 Hervey, E. Williams. Observations on the Colors of Flowers. New Bedford, 
1899. Svo, 104 pp. 
