some such original tendency or aim, evolution would never have reached it present culmination in man." He quotes Boveri that "there is too much intelligence in nature for any purely mechanical theory to be possible." It is curious that these authors do not perceive that the sensation of protoplasm, (consciousness), furnishes the basis for the exhibition of the intelligence which they observe, and which has itself undergone evolution coincidentally with the organism. Both orthodox and heterodox evolutionists (theologically speaking) seem equally slow to adopt this view.

Prof. Tyler's book is eminently moderate and reasonable, and will introduce evolution to a large class of readers in an agreeable form.

Cope on the Factors of Organic Evolution.-This book is divided into three parts: I, The nature of variation; II, The causes of variation; III, The inheritance of variation. In the first part it is endeavored to show that variation is not promiscuous or multifarious, but pursues direct courses towards definite ends. This is done by presenting the variations of existing species as to color and structure, and by an examination of the series presented by the forms of vertebrate life in past geologic ages. The latter presentation is a general phylogeny of the vertebrata, with special sections on that of the horse and that of man. The second part is divided into chapters which deal with the physical energies as causes of variation, and the effects of molar motion as seen in variation. These methods of evolution are termed respectively physiogenesis and kinetogenesis. Especial attention is given to kinetogenesis in connection with the phylogeny of vertebrates, since it is in these two fields that most of the original work of the author has been done. The author has demonstrated that the primary cause which has moulded the vertebrate skeleton is molar motion. In the third part, the inheritance of the characters so produced is shown to be the rule, thus demonstrating the inheritance of acquired characters. Theories of inheritance are discussed, and that one which asserts the transmission of energies to the germ plasma is defended. These energies are believed to be the results of a composition between inherited and acquired energies, the whole of them being referred to a class distinct from the inorganic energies, which he has named Bathmic. The last chapter in this part is devoted to a consideration of the relation of consciousness to movements, and hence as a cause

3 The Primary Factors of Organic Evolution, by E. D. Cope, Professor of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy in the University of Pennsylvania. Chicago: Open Court Pub. Co., Feb., 1896, $2.00.

of progressive evolution. The author holds that sensation is a cause of effects which would not appear in its absence, and that its presence conditions progressive evolution. The author holds this to be proven not only by the direct effect of consciousness as observed, but also on the other ground that there is no sufficiency in the inorganic and unconscious organic energies to effect progressive evolution. This is because the well-known tendency of the latter is to the integration of matter and the dissipation of energy, which leads always away from vital phenomena. The author believes the entire vegetable kingdom to be degenerate, its vitality being the expression of automatic energy which derived its self-sustaining character from ancestors endowed with sensation which occupied a position between animals and plants. The Mycetozoa he believes to be existing near relatives of these types.

The book is illustrated by 120 plates and cuts. One of these illustrative of homoplassy, we extract from the chapter on kinetogenesis, with the following explanatory remarks:

"Before reviewing the subject, I cite what is the most remarkable example of homoplassy in the Mammalia which has yet come to the knowledge of paleontologists. Ameghino has discovered in the cenozoic formations of Argentina a group of Ungulata which he calls the Litopterna, and which I regard as a suborder of the Taxeopoda, allied to the Condylarthra (p. 128). Ameghino placed the group under the Perissodactyla, but the tarsus and carpus are of a totally different character, and indicate an origin from the Condylarthra quite independent of that division. The carpal and tarsal bones are in linear series, or if they may overlap, it is in a direction the opposite of that which characterizes the order Diplarthra (=Perissodactyla and Artiodactyla). But the Litopterna present a most remarkable parallelism to the Perissodactyla in the characters of both the feet and the dentition. No genus is known as yet which possesses more than three toes before and behind, and these are of equal length (Macrauchenia Owen). In this genus the teeth are not primitive, but are much modified. The most primitive dentition is seen in the genus Proterotherium (Ameghino) where the superior molars are tritubercular, as in many Condylanthra. In this genus (Pl. X, fig. A) there are three toes, but the lateral ones are reduced, about as in the equine genus Anchitherium (p. 148). In the next genus, Diadiaphorus Amegh., the superior molars are quadritubercular and crested, while the lateral toes are reduced still more, being quite rudimental (figs. B C), as in the equine genera Hippo. therium and Prothippus. The superior molars have not progressed so far as in these genera, but are not very different from those of

Anchitherium. In the third and last type (Thoatherium Amegh.) the lateral digits have disappeared from both fore and hind feet (figs. CD), so that the condition is that of the genus Equus (fig. 81), but the splints in the Thoatherium crepidatum Amegh. are even more reduced in the known species of horse. The superior molars have not assumed the pattern of the genus Equus, but resemble rather those of Macrauchenia, and could have been easily derived from those of Diadiaphorus.

Here we have a serial reduction of the lateral digits and their connections with the leg, and increase in the proportions of the middle digit and corresponding increases in the proximal connections, exactly similar to that which took place in the horse line, in a different order of Mammalia."

The publishers have done their work well, and are especially to be commended for having made the book of a convenient size to be carried in the pocket or satchel.

The Child and Childhood in Folk-Thought.-(The Child in Primitive Culture); by A. F. Chamberlain; New York, Macmillan & Co., and London, 1896. Pp. x and 464; with bibliography and three indexes; price $3.

Dr. Chamberlain's work is not, as its chief title might lead one to suppose, a mere collection of folk-lore about the child. It is rather an attempt by this means to study the position of the child in primitive society. The author has brought together a great mass of material from every hand, and arranged it systematically under appropriate headings; as a result we find every phase and aspect of childhood represented in his book.

The opening chapters, on the Lore of Motherhood and Fatherhood, have in some places only a remote bearing upon the main topic, but they may be regarded in the light of a general introduction. Following these are a number of chapters which aim to show the attitude of society toward the child; folk-lore on the soul of the child, legends connecting children with animals or plants, stock answers of the adult to the child's questions, superstitions concerning children, etc., together with stories of education and training among uncultured races. A large part of the work deals with the influence of the child upon society -the effect of child-language in modifying adult language; the child's position in many tribes as oracle, judge, physician, or priest, etc. The final chapters are a selection of popular proverbs and sayings bearing upon childhood, from the literature of various races, cultured as well as

uncultured. The bibliography at the end is thorough, if not exhaustive; it consists of over 550 titles, covering the entire field.

The author claims no originality of investigation; but he has culled his material from a host of authorities, and his selections are well made. He has no conclusions to draw; he simply presents the material as data, with a view to a complete survey of the subject. The chief criticism that can be made upon his method is that it frequently leads to a curious intermingling of fables and traditions with actual race customs. Thus in the chapter on the Children's Food is described (p. 150) the practice which holds among several tribes of placing food on the grave of a dead child, to refresh its soul on the way to the spirit-land, and almost immediately after follows the legend of how the infant Hercules obtained immortality. The book is exceedingly interesting; it treats its subject as thoroughly as the breadth of the task together with the limits of the volume permit; and it is wonderfully conducive to further reading.-H. C. WARREN.

Stockham on the Ethics of Marriage.-This book is written with the view of securing an excellent object, the increase of the happiness of marriage. As the authoress is an M. D., and as she treats the subject at the outset with a seeming respect for scientific truth, we anticipated something valuable from her point of view. But we are compelled to say that the grains of truth are overlaid with such a quantity of error, rhapsody and sheer silliness, that we can only recommend the book as a study in feminine psychology. That there is one element of common sense running through it we are glad to admit. The authoress sees nothing degrading or indecent in the sexual relation. For this we must praise her; but it was surely not necessary for her to apologize for her good sense, by pages on pages of religious. rhapsody. The gist of her method of promoting marital happiness is that sexual intimacy may take place without completing the act. This proposition is as old as the rational faculty of man; but, as rationality is usually less directed to sexual subjects than to any other, it is quite possible that her advice on this point may do some good. There are some amusing passages. Fearing to appear to fall into the Charybdis of" hedonism "she runs high and dry on Scylla, as follows: "Before and during the time some devotional exercises may be participated in, or there may be a formation of consecration of an uplifting character in which both unite!"

4 Karezza; Ethics of Marriage, by Alice B. Stockham, M. D., Chicago. A. B. Stockham & Co.

The authoress labors under several physiological errors, which should be pointed out. She thinks in common with the ignorant classes generally, that the orgasm is concerned in impregnation, which is well known not to be the case. She also asserts that the secretion of the testis is produced at the time it is needed for use, an idea promulgated several years ago in a silly book called Diana. This is also untrue; its elaboration requires some days, and when the gland is full the secretion makes its presence known and demands expulsion. The present book should have stated also, that the practice she recommends, which she calls "Karezza," is a most potent stimulant of the secretion in question, and does in some men produce enlargement of the prostate gland and orchitis, so that every man must be in this matter his own doctor. But one will not find logic in this book. In view of what precedes one wonders where the authoress got her degree of M. D., and who is responsible for her education. We must, however, once more commend the spirit of the book, and hope that she will be instrumental in teaching some men and women ordinary temperance. But it must be borne in mind that medical writers chiefly deal with pathological conditions, and that the persons she writes about are mostly abnormal through excess or deficiency.

RECENT BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS.

ANDREW, WM.-Gravitation and What it is. No Ice Age. Dodgeville, 1895. From the author.

ANDREWS, C. W.-The Pectoral and Pelvic Girdles of Muraenosaurus plicatus. Extr. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. S. 6, Vol. XVI, 1895. From the author.

ASHLEY, G. H.-The Neocene of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Extr. Leland Stanford Jr. Univ. Pub. Geol. & Paleon., No. 1, 1895. From the Univ. BAKER, F. C.-A Naturalist in Mexico, being a visit to Cuba, Northern Yucatan and Mexico. Chicago, 1895. From the Chicago Academy of Sciences. Biological Lectures delivered at the Marine Biological Laboratory at Wood's Holl, 1893. Boston, 1894, Ginn & Co. From Prof. C. O. Whitman.

BOULENGER, G. A.-Addition to the

Fauna of India (Tarbophis rhinopoma

Blanf). Read before Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., Jan. 28, 1895.

-Rettili e Batraci. Esplorazione del Giuba e dei suoi Affluenti compiuta del Cap. v. Bottego durante gli anni, 1892-93. Extr. Ann. Mus. Civ. Storia Nat. di Genova. S. 2, Vol. XV, 1895. From the author.

BRINTON, D. G.-Report upon the Collections exhibited at the Columbian Historical Exposition. Extr. Rept. Madrid Com., 1892. Washington, 1895.