REVIEWS OF BOOKS. 



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origin of specific differences, dealing particularly wifh the Lamarckian 

 theory which assumes the hereditary transmission of the effect of the use 

 or the disuse of an organ hrought about in response to a changed 

 environment and the consequent accumulation of differences ; the Neo- 

 Darwinian theory, which, observing the fact that no two members of a 

 family are ever quite alike, concludes that the struggle for existence 

 which undoubtedly occurs will eliminate those least adapted to their 

 surroundings, and finally result in the development of forms fitting into 

 the various existing environments ; and the de Vriesian theory, which 

 concludes that new species have principally arisen by the help of variations 

 which have occurred as sudden marked differences. Then follows a 

 chapter on biometry, a difficult subject dealt with for the most part in a 

 clear manner. The theory of mutation is explained, and an account of 

 the work of the older hybridists Kolreuter, Knight, and Dean Herbert 

 precedes the long "section on Mendelism. Mendel's laws are plainly 

 stated, and their bearing on many points fully discussed. The book is 

 well printed, amply illustrated, contains a good index and a glossary of 

 technical terms, and is altogether one that can be confidently recom- 

 mended to all desiring a good summary of recent research into the facts 

 of variation and heredity. 



"New Creations in Plant Life." By W. S. Harwood. 8vo. pp. 368. 

 (The Macmillan Co., New York.) Cloth, Gs. net. 



The title-page states that this is " An Authoritative Account of the 

 Life and Work of Luther Burbank." The author, who is an intense 

 admirer of Burbank, traces the course of his hero's life and work with all 

 the ardour of the true hero-worshipper, and without the exercise of 

 that critical faculty which should be used by every biographer who wishes 

 to paint a true picture of his subject. The book does not help at all, as 

 we had hoped it would, to enable us to sift the truth from the obviously 

 exaggerated accounts which have from time to time found their way into 

 the horticultural and popular press. Burbank is placed on a solitary 

 pedestal, and the work of those who have been content to call their 

 results " improvements " and not " creations " is completely ignored, and 

 yet some are even now among us. Furthermore, the book teems with in- 

 accuracies. It is stated (p. 87) that " recent reports from Ireland show that 

 the Burbank potato bids fair to redeem that long-distressed island from 

 famine." After extended inquiries we are unable to learn that the " Burbank ' ' 

 potato is even known in Ireland. Surely, when the author says (p. 95) 

 Burbank aims at producing a potato with a larger amount of "sugar" 

 starch is meant. When dealing with questions of vegetable physiology 

 the author is no more at home, for he states (p. 62) that the leaves of trees 

 obtain nitrogen from the air. Perhaps the book, which is written in the 

 style of a magazine article, will bring before a larger public the fact 

 that plants are capable of improvement, and in this it will do good ; but 

 we cannot help saying that the history of Burbank's work has yet to 

 be written, and an accurate estimate of the place he is to take among 

 plant-breeders has yet to be made. The huge scale on which Burbank's 

 work has been carried out is well described, and one cannot help re- 

 gretting that no adequate record of the results he has obtained has been 



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