(1) Der Naturfreund am Strande der Adria und des Mittelmeergebietes (2) The Aims and Methods of Nature-Study

Abstract

(1) PROF. CORI'S volume is not intended to give descriptions of the systematic characters and organisation of marine creatures, but rather to be a companion to direct the attention of the nature-student to the more commonly occurring marine organisms and to the chief phenomena associated with them. After a brief account of the past history of the Mediterranean and Adriatic, the author passes to the consideration of the animals of the beach—Arenicola, Sipunculus, Solen, Venus, Echinocardium, Synapta, Carcinus, &c.—the chief features and theoretical points of interest associated with many of which are indicated. While dealing with Annelids, the author directs attention to their relationship to the Crustacea and to the theory of the Annelid ancestry of vertebrates. Modifications of structure correlated with certain habitats, as illustrated, for example, by sessile molluscs, and the habits of animals, e.g. the shamming death and autotomy of crabs, are dealt with in an interesting manner. The description of the abundance of life on the beach leads up to remarks on the origin of life in shallow water, “die Geburtsstatte alles Seins.” The lagoons and their flora and fauna—Mysidæ, Carcinus, Cardium, Labrax, Anguilla, &c.—and the Zostera meadows, with their extensive and characteristic fauna—Virbius, Spadella, Turbellaria, Cerianthus, Sepia, pipe-fish, sea-horses, &c.—are the subjects of two chapters.

(1) Der Naturfreund am Strande der Adria und des Mittelmeergebietes.

By Prof. Carl I. Cori. Pp. viii + 148 + 22 plates. (Leipzig: Verlag von Dr. Werner Klinkhardt, 1910.) Price 3.50 marks.

(2) The Aims and Methods of Nature-Study.

A Guide for Teachers. By Dr. John Rennie. With an introduction by Prof. J. Arthur Thomson. Pp. xvi + 352. (London: W. B. Clive, University Tutorial Press, Ltd., 1910.) Price 3s. 6d.