440 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



followed in the pages of ' The Zoologist.' In the author's words, 

 an attempt has been made " to give an account of the nervous 

 system as a whole, to trace its phylogenetic history, and to show 

 the factors which have determined the course of evolution." 

 This functional point of view is intended to supply a study of 

 the nervous system to supplement our observations on anima} 

 bionomics ; we record the action ; Prof. Johnston seeks to describe 

 the nervous system by which it is produced, and its evolution or 

 unfolding from primitive to more specialized forms. Such a 

 book for detailed review would be beyond the scope of ' The 

 Zoologist.' We will, however, advise its study by any sufficiently 

 advanced student who can follow its method by the possession 

 of sufficiently acquired familiarity with experimental and anato- 

 mical methods. Our conception of evolution is largely dependent 

 for its accuracy on such knowledge, but most zoologists are, in 

 their decisions on this great question, very much in the position 

 of a juryman whose verdict is not inconsiderably influenced by 

 the light and leading of the personage who occupies the judge's 

 chair. We cannot escape it ; many facts and much opinion 

 must necessarily be acquired " second-hand." 



We have only one discrepancy to point out. In the chapter 

 devoted to " The Evolution of the Cerebral Hemispheres " the 

 author writes that in man they are larger and more complex 

 than " in animals"; unless the word " other" is interposed be- 

 tween these last two words, what becomes of evolution ? 



A Correction. — In our notice of Mr. Le Souef's f Wild Life in 

 Australia ' {ante, p. 391), we expressed regret that there were no 

 generic and specific names to distinguish the animals referred to 

 in that very interesting book, which we read from start to finish. 

 It has since been pointed out to us that an " Index of Scientific 

 Names" is inserted after the Index. We did not read beyond 

 the index, and though we much regret our statement, we think 

 that the publishers are largely to blame in inserting that appendix 

 in such a position (without any reference to it in the text), though 

 it is included in the " Contents." We read neither " Contents" 

 nor "Index," being absorbed in the other pages of a delightful 

 narrative. 



