426 General Notes. [April, 
Louvain. The key to some of the deepest mysteries of life, is to 
be found, if at all, in the study of the cell; and for this and other 
reasons that do not call for mention, we are glad to see the sub- 
ject treated as a science, and not in the narrow methods of a mere 
historical compendium. 
The work is intended for laboratory use. “ It is needless to 
remark, says the author, “ that no lesson in cytology can be mas- 
tered outside of the microscopical laboratory.’ Its aim is to furnish 
the student with a proper foundation for the study of life in any 
of its aspects, and both student and teacher with a guide to the 
most favorable objects of study, and the best instruments and 
methods now in use 
Thus stated, the chief aim of the work would seem to be nearly 
identical with that of the well-known Practical Biology; but ' 
the subject-matter and the method of dealing with it are quite 
unlike in the two cases. Huxley’s course deals with the mor- 
phology and physiology of a few typical vegetable and animal 
organisms; Carnoy’s course deals with the chemistry as well as 
the morphology and physiology of the cell, as the structural 
unit of all organisms. The one makes.use of both macroscopica 
and microscopical methods of observation; the other employs 
- almost exclusively methods of microscopical technique. The Prac- 
tical Biology pursues methods of its own, and aims to impart, 
through laboratory work, such information as should form a part 
of so-called general education; the Cellular Biology limiting 
itself to a single subject of general and fundamental importance, 
proposes to deal with it in an encyclopedic fashion and thus to 
lay a broad and solid foundation for special study in botany, zodl- 
ogy, or physiology. The former points out the direct way to a 
system of facts, and deals very sparingly in interpretation; the 
latter adds to its facts and methods, history, discussion, and gen- 
eral interpretation. The English manual is an excellent guide 
for the general student, who merely desires some knowledge of 
typical organisms ; but the training it offers, though admirable 
as far aş it goes, falls short, in some important particulars, of being 
an adequate preparation for original investigation in either of the 
above-named departments of biology. The French manual, if 
completed with the thoroughness that characterizes the first num- 
ber, will furnish, in our opinion, not only a much-needed book of 
reference, but also a course of study which exactly meets the 
needs of those who are preparing for independent work. 
_ The general scope of the work may be seen from the following 
introductory remarks by its author: “ A course in general cyt- 
ology should embrace the study of both the animal and vegeta- 
ble cell. * * * The essential characters of organization, and the 
fundamental biological laws, are the same for all living beings. 
* * * It is only after having searched the two kingdoms, after 
having followed the organized element step by step, and through 
