EE VIEWS. 
637 
which take place during the third stage, are gamoonorphic. It would appear 
that one of the objects of this classification has been to show that alternation 
of generation is not an exceptional process, but one which happens to a 
greater or lesser extent in every creature, from the' highest to the lowest. 
This latter is the most remarkable of Dr. Ogilvie’s theories'; and we confess, it 
appears to us the most far-fetched and indefensible. For example, how is 
alternation of generation represented among mammals 1 We let Dr. Ogilvie 
speak for himself. Treating oi protomorphic alternations in the higher animals, 
he writes : — “ We may consider the phenomena of embryogeny as presentmg 
a certain parallelism with the gemmation which occurs in some of the lower 
species (Trematoda, mosses, &c.) .... No point in embryogeny is better 
established than this, that the first result of impregnation is the formation in 
the ovum of a cellular mass, from one point of which is subsequently deve- 
loped a fresh axis of growth destined for evolution into the organization, 
typical of the species, while the original germ-mass disappears as a distinct 
structure. The embryo, m short, may be. said to be budded off from the pri- 
mordial germ-mass, or mulhei'ry body, much as the cercariform larva of the 
Distoma is from the gregariniform product of the Trematode ovum.” Clearly 
from this, man undergoes an alternation of generations, his apparent parent 
being really his grand one, and the mulberry mass of the ovum being his 
true progenitor. It seems to us, that in framing such a generalization. Dr. 
Ogilvie has been rather working out a foregone conclusion than labouring, 
with a due regard to rationalism, to discover truth. His book, however, will, 
as we have said, be read with interest ; but those who have already profited 
by the writings of M, de Quatrefages, will hardly bestow on Dr. Ogilvie’s 
labours the patient examination they deserve. 
OUR WINES.* 
T here are very few questions of social science which demand at present 
the attention of the British public, more than those relating to wines. Is 
wdne in any form good, and if it is, which are the best varieties ? These are 
queries which are answered in the little volume which Dr. Druitt has recently 
issued, and whose matter originally appeared in the pages of The Medical 
Times and Gazette. For many years the subject of intemperance received 
the careful attention of the author, and when the French treaty caused an 
influx of light continental wines into these countries, he determined to record 
his observations upon their qualities and effects. In the present work he has 
done this rather fully, and his remarks, as expressing the opinion of a single 
individual who has endeavoured to draw careful conclusions, have a special value. 
He is evidently an advocate of the light French, Greek, and German wines. 
* “Report on the Cheap Wines from France, Italy, Austria, Greece, and 
Hungary ; their quality, wholesomeness, and price, and their use in diet and 
medicine.” By Robert Druitt, M.R.C.S. Pp. 179. London : Renshaw. 
1865. 
VOL. IV. — NO. XVII. 
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