216 The American Naturalist. [Mareh, 
We hope that the second part of this work will soon be issued ; but 
we understand that some delay in the publication is to be expected in 
the present condition of the Government printing office.—C., 
Evolution or Creation.‘—The author of this discussion calls it 
a “ critical review ” of the scientific and scriptural theories of the uni- 
verse. The criticism loses its value when he states in the opening 
chapter, not only his bias towards, but his firm belief in the Biblical 
account of creation, “ literatum et spellatum.” In stating the evolution 
theory he allows his imagination free play, unhampered by any con- 
ception of its real meaning or its bearing on the study of the problem 
of life as we fiud it developed on this planet. 
Among the original hypotheses offered for the reader’s consideration 
is one that dates the Mosaic week of creation somewhere about the end 
of the ice age. This, says the writer, “ solves a score of scientific and 
exegetical difficulities that hitherto have been paraded as fatal to the 
credibility of the sacred Scriptures;” but it also leaves us completely 
at sea as to the author’s views of the origin of the forms of life that 
preceded this so-called “ Creation.” Or, does he generously leave time, 
space and material for the evolutionist to demonstrate his theories? 
Again, Mr. Townsend assumes a knowledge of the ways and means 
of the Creator, which is startling, even to a naturalist. His description 
of the genesis of man would appear to better advantage in the pages of 
the modern realistic novel than it does in a critical essay. Finally, we 
are gravely told that the “ chief end of the creation” (not only of the 
world but) “ of the universe, is so glorify man and enjoy him forever.” 
We refer to this book not because it has any value, but, because in this 
country where biological education is only beginning to be general, & 
good many persons may suppose that it has. 
Se 
AMERICAN NATURALIST LIST OF RECENT BOOKS 
AND PAMPHLETS. 
Annual Report Geol. Surv. Canada (n. s.), Vol. VII, 1894. Ottawa, 1896. 
From the Director of the Survey. 
BAILEY, V.—List of Mammals of the District of Columbia. Extr. Proceeds. 
Biol. Soc. of Washington, Vol. 10,1896. From the author. 
BENDIRE, CHARLES.—Life Histories of North American Birds, from the Parrots- 
to the Grackles. Special Bull. U. S. Natl. Mus., Washington, 1895. From the 
Smithsonian Institution. 
t Evolution or Creation. By L. T. Townsend, New York, Chicago, Toronto. 
F. H. Revell Co., Pub. ; 
