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NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 
Wild Traits in Tame Animals; being some Familiar Studies in 
Evolution. By Louis Ropinson, M.D., &c. William 
Blackwood & Sons. 
Ir is in such books as these that we recognize the vast 
influence exercised by Darwinism in the direction of zoological 
study. In endeavours to trace back the habits of animals to 
antecedent factors in the struggle for existence, which have 
received the imprimatur of natural selection, we often seem to 
meet teleology under a new name, like Pagan customs under 
more modern creeds. In fact, the evolutionary Dr. Pangloss 
proclaiming that this is the very best possible system of nature, 
and that Natural Selection tells us all about it, is not uncommon. 
On the other hand, there is a quiet undercurrent pervading all 
zoological work which is the strength of the new teaching, which 
finds that Darwin’s key opens most locks, though not necessarily 
all, and that patient skill and observation and not forensic sledge- 
hammers are needful at the still closed gates. 
These prefatory remarks are necessary to introduce the 
contents of this most interesting and suggestive book, and to in- 
dicate the philosophical conception which has evidently prompted 
the composition of every page. Dr. Robinson isan observer, and 
many of our readers and contributors will appreciate the remark 
that ‘‘ most of the future discoveries of great moment to the natu- 
ralist will be made, not in the remote and minute ramifications of 
science such as are occupying the attention of so many of our 
learned investigators, but among the everyday phenomena which 
are open to the eyes of all.”” Some may likewise possibly agree 
with the remark that “there seems also a tendency on the part 
of a larger number of professional naturalists to assume quasi- 
manorial rights in certain regions of nature’s kingdom.” 
In our author’s suggestions as to the ‘‘ wild traits in tame 
animals” and his theories thereon, it must be remembered, as,we 
once heard the late Prof. Rolleston remark, that not every shot 
hits the bull’s-eye; and we might add that whilst unproven 
