298 Analysis of Books. [May, 
or desires ; and (5) a sociological value, which they acquire as 
property. 
The author sums up this first part of his work by showing 
that the physical analysis leads to the exposition of the mecha- 
nical aspeCt of society, to the re-organisation of the theory of 
production and consumption, culminating in the generalisation 
of the synergy of the race. The biological discussion sketches 
“ the higher aspedts of the same phenomena, defines production, 
and discusses the relation of organism to environment and 
function, the definition of production being obtained in terms of 
maintenance and evolution.” The psychological analysis shows 
that certain subjects hitherto ignored by economists are yet 
necessary and integral parts of the subjeCt. 
We shall look forward with eagerness to the completion of 
this work, which will, we believe, relieve political economy from 
the double charge of dismalness and unfruitfulness. Its rege- 
neration, as it will be seen, depends in no small measure upon 
the author’s judicious application of the principles of Evolution 
which are fast transforming all the higher sciences. 
Jelly-Fish, Star-Fish, and Sea-Urchins ; being a Research on 
Primitive Nervous Systems. By G. J. Romanes, F.R.S. 
London : Kegan Paul, Trench, and Co. 
This work is substantially an investigation into the nervous 
system in its earliest and simplest forms, manifested in the 
species above mentioned. The author’s original intention was 
to furnish a monograph of the morphology and physiology of the 
Medusce and E chino dermata, but finding such a task incompatible 
with the limits of a volume of the “ International Scientific 
Series ” he has given merely an account of his own researches 
in this direction. This account will be found both interesting 
and important. 
Incidentally, in his introduction Mr. Romanes deals with two 
of the cavils now urged againt the organic sciences by aesthetics 
and sentimentalists. We are aware that against these gainsayers 
some eminent authorities recommend and practise a policy of 
“ masterly inactivity.” But here, as elsewhere, that policy has 
been found fraught with deadly peril. To those who hold that 
the analysis of Science withdraws from the face of creations a 
veil of enchantment he replies that “ our human nature is not so 
much out of joint that the rational desire to know is incompatible 
with the emotional impulse to admire.” From his own experi- 
ence he can testify that his “ admiration of the extreme beauty 
