362 Analyses of Books. [June, 
marked by intervals of organic character which we find to be a 
practical difficulty in ascertaining affinities ; second , of another 
impulse connected with the vital forces, tending, in the course of 
generations, to modify organic structures in accordance, with ex- 
ternal circumstances, as food, the nature of the habitat, and 
meteoric agencies, these being the ‘ adaptations ’ of the natural 
theologians.” . 
The difference of this scheme from that of Darwin is capital. 
With the latter change is constantly going on by insensible 
degrees, those results only being preserved which prove advan- 
tageous to the plant or animal concerned. With Chambers the 
grades are few in number and, as it appears from an illustration, 
occur only at long intervals. 
It must be further remarked that Chambers, whilst admitting 
the modifying influence of circumstances, does not accept the 
theory of Lamarck, that the animal, by constant desire and effort, 
modifies, if not its own individual structure yet that of its race, 
and is thus its own contriver and adapter. This view Chambers 
pronounces “ so far from being adequate to account for the fadts 
that it has had scarcely a single adherent.” 
In our estimate of the “ Vestiges” we must not forget that its 
author overleaps at once the fancied barrier at which Darwin so 
long hesitated, and recognises that “ the force and tendencies of 
their (man’s) illustrious nature once lay imperfectly developed in 
some humbler form of being.” 
Chambers’s sketch of the affinities and pedigrees of animals 
contains much which, we may safely say, would not have been 
written in these days. His somewhat favourable estimate of the 
taxonomy of Macleay and Swainson seems strange in thsee days. 
The “ Vestiges ” have now, indeed, it may be said, a merely 
historical interest, but to the thorough-going student of Evolution 
they will never seem unworthy of attention. We must therefore 
rejoice at the appearance of the present edition, the more as it 
clears up all doubt as to the authorship of this once dreaded 
volume. 
Compulsory Vaccination in England with Incidental References 
to Foreign States. By William Tebb. London : E. W. 
Allen. 
The difficulty of coming to a final decision on vaccination is 
greatly to be regretted — the more since, behind the simple 
question of vaccination as a preventive of variola, lies the further 
question of “ vaccinations,” if we so use the word, for other 
zymotic diseases. If Jenner has been a false teacher we fear 
that Pasteur also is labouring in vain. Hence the issue is one 
