The Animal Creation. By Thomas Rymer Jones. (Warne.)—Pro- teaser Jones
describes his book as "A Popular Introduction to Zoology." Four hundred and fifty pages, with more than as many illustrations, are, of course, insufficient, as indeed twice the amount would be, for a sub- ject so vast; but the author does what he can with the limits accorded to him. His "bird's-eye view of the extensive field of investigation" is not so remote but that the reader gets plenty of interesting detail. Of Professor Jones's technical acquaintance with his subject there can be no doubt; his method of arranging his facts, and his judgment in selecting—most necessary qualifications whore the mass of matter is so vast—are worthy of all praise. The illustrations are plentiful and spirited. We quote one or two sentences from the concluding para- graph which seem to us to contain a very significant truth :—" The vast ohain of beings, composed of numerous successive links, exists only in the imagination of the poet, and the young naturalist would be grievously misled by the adoption of such an idea. The animal creation may be more properly compared to some vast city, from the gate of which several main thoroughfares diverge, each leading to a different part of the town, but all divided into labyrinths of streets, inhabited by artisans of various occupations busily labouring for the general welfare."
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