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��IVoi_ v., No. 119.

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��Af biuli'gy, the study of life, and nnld that mcKlern biological itudy began with Dai'win's vi-it to tbe Balapagos Islanda fifty years ago. " Activity of pro- toplasm cannot be called life. Vital pbenomena are dialing Ills hed by what is done, not by the constilueiits of the oi^nisra. Tbere ii no necessary connection between life and protopiaam. The common cbarac- teristic in all life Is education. Life 'n edncation, and education is life. Kick a stone and a dog: Ibe difference in the result is caused by education." He then referred Co examples of natural difference in life as caused by education, and adjustment by education to varied el renin stances. "The common clianicler- ialic in all these forms of life, from the highest to the lowest, U education. If, then, life is education, in ■eeking the latter we are advancing the former."

At the close of llie lecture. Dr. Brooks was tendered a reception by the lyceiim, at its building, Jackson hall, where letters and speeches from old members showed that their interest was still great.

The lyceum is Ibe only active college society in this country which has its own building. It has now about twenty working-members, and holds its meet' ings every week, at which reports are given by mem- bers appointed In advance, on the subject which Ibey are studying. Since Dr. S. F, Clarke look the pro- fessorship of natural history in the college, a strong interest in biology baa been aroused in the society.

Among the members who have devoled themselves to science after graduation, the tolluwjng are the best known: Professor Addisou Ballard, '42; Mr. William H. Edwards. M2; Prof. W. D. Whitney, '45; Hon. D. A. Wells, '47; Dr. P. A. Chadbourne,'48; Dr. William Goodell, '51; Prof, Henry A. Ward, '65; Professor James Orton. '55; Mr. Samuel H. Scudder, '57; Dr. R. n. Ward, '58; Dr. E. W. Morley. '80; Prof. F. H. Snow, '(12; Dr. G. Stanley Hall, '07; Dr. W. K. Brooks, '70; Dr. E. A. Dirge, '73; ai.d Mr. J. S. Klngsley, '75.

��It is impossible to do mncli more limn in- dicate the contents of Ihia immense toIuihc of over thirteen hundred pages. It is entitled ' Descriptive catalc^uca; ' but, as observed by Mr. Goode. it renlly partakes of the character of ft report on the part played bj- the United- States exhibit at the Loudon flslierica exhibi- tion, — not only that of the government, but also that due to private American eshibiters. A considerable part of the volume was printed, and distributed to visitors, during the exhibi-

Tiiere is a short introduction by tie com- missioner, followed by some data from the census; alistof forty-two gold, fifty-five silver,

��and thirty bronze medallists; beside some fifty other awards to American exbibiters, followed by n re|X>rt on the collective exhibits of the U.S. national museum and the U.S. fish- commission. It is needless to say that every branch of the subject is thoroughly presented, either by specimon.i. models, ilhiBtrationa, or literature. There is included under these a useful series of catalc^nes by Messrs. Ralhbnn {Economic invertebrates, cx(H;pt mollusks), Ridgnay (Water-birds), Winslow (Economic mollusks). Brown (Whale-fishery), liean (Fishes, and illustrations of fishes), Rathbun (Scientific appliances for deei>-8ea investiga- tion). True (Aquatic mammals). Capt. Collins (Vessels and boats), Earll (Fishing-tackle and appliances) , Clark (Fishery products), and Earll (Fish-cnllnre).

Tlie catalogues of birds and fishes arc of particular interest and value, apart from their present connection, to all interested in those departments of biology. The catalogues of mollusks and other invertebrates are necessarily much leas complete, and are expanded and improved from the centennial catalogues of Messrs. Dall and Rathbun, prepared for Philadelphia.

The volume is a monument of well-system- atized labor, but would probably have been more convenient for reference if it had been divided into two volumes. The anthropolo- gist, ornithologist, ichthyologist, fisherman, or manufacturer can hardly fail to find useful and welcome information in tliese pages; while, by the staff of the cotnmission and museum, the book can hardly be contemplated without a feeling of thankfulness that the |)eriod of extraordinari" dmdgery. apart from their usual and regular duties, which the volume com- memorates, is at last entirely over.

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Tins is an admirable book. Dr. Giinther, whose thoroughness has been well shown in his earlier writings, makes many physicists, mathematicians, and geographers his debtors by preparing so able a work on the subjects where they meet on common ground: and, if all teachers of physical geography and geology had the good fortune to jtossess the advanced training that this volume gives and requires, we should hear less from the classical men of the insufficient discipline afl'orded to the scholars in our secondary schools by their naturai-his-

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