1894,] Recent Literature. 257 
Following the above the author has added a systematic list, sum- 
marized from the preceeding authorities. This compilation, which will 
be found very convenient by the student, shows a total of 318 species 
and varieties; of these 48 species and varieties are terrestrial and the 
others marine. Of the latter, 61 are Lambellibranchs and 1 Scaphopod ; 
205 species and 13 varieties are Gastropods. 
Of the marine species the author says, “ Less than a half score are in- 
digenous, of these, some, if not all, may prove, upon a better knowledge 
of the molluscs of the shores of Central and South America, to belong 
to the mainland.” A comparison is suggested of Omphalius cooksonii 
Smith,with the Antillean O. fasciatus. The number of species that exhibit 
intimate relationship with Antillean-Carribean forms is quite small and 
in conspicuous when placed side by side with the American types ; the 
latter include nearly all the species contained in the summarized list. 
The author observes that the land shells are of a distinctly West 
South American aspect, and a comparison is suggested with several 
species named, which occur in Bolivia, Peru and Chili, rather than to 
the peculiar forms inhabiting Ecuador and other South and Central 
American States further north. z 
In several instances the erroneous determination of marine species or 
varieties of the same, that have been made by various authors resulting 
in the accrediting of Indo-Pacific forms to the Galapagos Islands, have 
been pointed out and explained. The report closes with a plate con- 
taining figures of the species described, and the map of the Galapagos 
islands.—Cunas. T. SIMPsoxN. ; í 
An Examination of Weismannism.’—The several chapters 
comprised in this volume have been written at successive intervals dur- 
ing the last six or eight years, as Professor Weismann’s works have 
appeared, so that this discussion by Mr. Romanes presents a clear view 
of the growth of the Weismannian theories. Three chapters are de- 
voted respectively to Weismann’s system up to the year 1886—to the 
year 1892—to the year 1893. Of the two remaining chapters, one is 
a discussion of Weismann’s theory of heredity (1891), the other is a 
critical examination of Weismann’s theory of evolution (1891). Two 
appendices entitled “On Germ Plasm and On Telegony ” complete the 
volume. . 
In conclusion, the author refers to the fundamental changes which 
Professor Weismann has wrought in his general system of theories by 
3 An Examination of Weismannism. By George John Romanes, M. A., LL.D., F. 
R.S. Chicago, 1893. Open Court Publishing Co. r 
