1897,] Psychology. 455 
nections are of universal occurrence. In the present paper® he describes 
and figures thin lines* connecting the outer ends of all the cells of the 
cleavage and blastula stages of eggs from the following groups; Ceelen- 
terates; Annelids; Mollusca; Tunicates; Mammals; Arthropods. 
In life each cells has a faint outer periphery that is clearer than the 
rest; but it is only in sections that this layer, now seen as a stained 
line, passes over from one cell to the next so that the outermost con- 
tour of the entire egg is one continuous line of material. 
In his method of preparation the cells split apart save for this peri- 
pheral line which thus becomes evident. 
The author assumes that this connecting membrane is protoplasm, 
but it is unfortunate that he has no observations on living material to 
support this important claim and considering the remarkable effects 
often brought about by fixatives the question as to the true nature of this 
intercellular communication may well remain an open one. But the 
possibility that these connections may prove to be of similar nature to 
those described in the “spinning” of echinoderm eggs (AMERICAN 
NaruRA.ist, March, 1897) seems to the reviewer to add much to the 
probability that they are actual connections in the living egg. 
From the author’s point of view the blastula is one mass of proto- 
plasm with a hole in the centre of it. He also points out the import- 
ance of the surface connection as a mechanical band ; in fact he would 
ascribe to this many of the effects often attributed to surface tension of 
the individual cells. But regarding the connection as protoplasmic he 
emphasizes its importance as a living band and indicates its value as a 
basis for some of the assumptions of experimental embryologists as well 
as for the criticism of the cell theory by Whitman and by Sedgwick. 
PSYCHOLOGY.’ 
Notes on Child Psychology—Some Recent Literature—The 
past year has been one of remarkable activity in the sphere of 
Child Psychology everywhere, but especially in this country. 
Child-Study Monthly, which was started in 1895, has published several 
articles of real value to the scientific investigator. The Pedagogical 
Seminary has been established upon a firmer footing. Education, The 
Inland Educator, The Northwestern Journal of Education, and other 
ê Archiv f. Mik. Anat. Miirz 4, 1897, pps. 92-102, pl. 6. 
1 Edited by H. C. Warren, Princeton University, Princeton, N. J. 
