Abstract
IN dealing with a small number of Vertebrate types in Part I. of this book (see NATURE, vol. xlvii. 1893, p. 605), the author showed distinct capability and promise; but we feel that he would have done well to wait and work for a few years before publishing this second volume, which covers a larger field. As the types of plants and invertebrates treated of have already been described in so many text-books, the writer had, at any rate, the opportunity of getting his facts and deductions second hand and fairly correctly stated, even without an extensive acquaintance with biological science. There is, therefore, all the less excuse for the many errors and misstatements which occur in this volume, the preface to which would lead one to expect better things in this respect, as well as in the selection and arrangement of facts. Prof. Howes's introduction appeared in Part I.; and before inserting his name on the title-page of Part II. it would, we think, have been only just to have at least submitted the proofs to him. The book would certainly have gained by so doing.
Text-book of Biology.
By H. G. Wells, Lecturer in Biology at University Tutorial College. With an Introduction by G. B. Howes, F.L.S., F.Z.S., Assistant Professor of Zoology, Royal College of Science, London. Part II. Invertebrates and Plants. (London: W. B. Clive, University Correspondence College Press, 1893.)
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P., W. Our Book Shelf. Nature 49, 148 (1893). https://doi.org/10.1038/049148a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/049148a0