BOOK NOTICES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13835, 23 February 1907, Page 4

BOOK NOTICES.

RECENT PROGRESS IN THK STUDY OF VARIATION, HEREDITY, AND EVOLUTION.

By Robert TlK.vnr LorK, it..}., Fellow of Gonvillo and Cwius College Cambridge. ° '

London: John Murray. Dundin: Whitcombe and Tombs (Ltd.), 1?. J. ,Stark and On., and Braithwaile's Book Arcade. 9s.

When dealt with from a papular standpoint, the theory of organic evolution, is «r easy to expound as it is to defend. Broadly grouped and properly marshalled, the numerous facts that speak of descent with modification throughout Nature are seen to be of 11 kind to carry conviction with them. Popular expositions arc, howler, usually lacking in the subtle analysis detail that is of the "osscncu of niocJerii science; they are useful as various tliiws aro useful that lead to something "reater than themselves;. The lighthouse on Cape Saunders is a very useful thing, but it would be a pity to mistake it for the city «f Duuedin lying beyond. If we regaixl tlio popular book as a beacon in this sense, it will stand to the present volume in much tho same, relation , l-bat the IHithouse bears to the port and city. ° Mr Lock s labours have been devoted to tlio large task" of gathering together, analysing, and setting forth in lucid detail all the results so far achieved from investigations into the subjects of variation, heredity, and evolution, Hi s | 100 k is primarily designed to meet the needs of the working- scientist—to report progress on such work as has been done in the various departments up to the present. Naturalists are not so sure of some things as in the past many of them have seemed to be. Jlost of tiiem, I believe still hold with Professor Ray Lancaster that "the conclusions of Darwin as to tbe origin of species by tho survival of selected races in the struggle for existence are more firmly established than ever," and this despite many attempts-honourable and other—to discredit tho Darwinian theory of natural selcelion'iis a chief factor in the evolution of new species. The best of these attempts have, however, led to many valuable results, and these are excellently presented in Sir Lock's various chapters. In bis introduction he gives definite account of the subject matter of the study of evolution in general and in particular. The other chapters deal both historically and critically with physical and organic evolution; tho theory of natural selection; recent results of biomedical investigation; the theory of mutation so closely associated with the honoured name of Hugo de Vrics; tho wonderful results attained to by the Abbe Mendel J and by ot hers working on Mendelian. .lines, , are also clearly presented here as in other portions of the book, good illustrations being used to make things plainer than words could make them. " There is a- great deal in these chaptets tliat can by no means ho given account of in a paragraph or two. Tho author hopes that his book- may prove acceptable to all interested in the progress of biolpgipal 'science. Less than this it could •not. do, but that it will do a great deal moro. may be with confidence predicted." The study of biology is so divided up into specialist departments that to gain even a general idea of bucli progress as is being made is very difficult indeed without, the efficient aid of the expert summariser. One pojiit, and qn important one, emphasised by tho author is that natural science does not build up from any sure and solid foundation, but, on tlio contrary,, reaches down from great generalisations, groping for firm ground on which to rest them. In biology what is needed is a more thorough knowledge of variation, and a really 'satisfactory theory of heredity. By examining and discussing all that has been done since Darwin gave the "Origin of Species" to an astounded worl.d, he shows that there is still a great deal to do before anything like .agreement can be looked for. among, naturalists. Tho great achievements of Weismann, Bateson, and other prsent-day workers are dealt with, in a fair and sympathetic way. The chapter .on the o'.der hybridists—Kolreuter, Knight, Millaj'det and others—is a nwst fascinating one, which should prove of great interest to amateur, and professional florists as well as scientific botanists.

This is a book which can bo unreservedly commended to all wlio possess genuine interest in the world of living things, and who find living interest in the literature of the subject. Some 50 diagrammatic illustrations accompany tho text, and excellent- portraits of Charles Darwin, Francis Galton, Hugo De Vries, Joseph Gottlieb Kolreuter, and Gregov Joliann Mendel adorn it v Dixoitms.