Zoological Philosophy: an Exposition with regard to the Natural History of Animals

Abstract

MR. ELLIOT has done a valuable piece of work in making a complete translation of Lamarck's “Philosophie Zoologique,” which was published in 1809, half a century before Darwin's “Origin of Species,” and is undeniably one of the evolution classics. He has enabled students of organic evolution who are unfamiliar with French, or who have been repelled by Lamarck's tedious style, to get a first-hand knowledge of the doctrines of one of the greatest of Darwin's predecessors. Recognising that the main interest of the “Philosophie Zoologique” is historical, Mr. Elliot has given a very literal translation, taking few liberties beyond breaking up some of the very long sentences, and altering words the meaning of which has greatly changed during the past century. A useful list is given of many of the French terms with the translations adopted. It must be confessed that there are many pages, especially those dealing with the classification of animals and with physiology, which are of little importance, but the value of having a complete translation is obvious. The alternative of making a selection of the salient passages is always a hazardous procedure. It seems to us that Mr. Elliot did wisely in translating the whole, and that he has executed this laborious piece of work with care and skill.

Zoological Philosophy: an Exposition with regard to the Natural History of Animals.

By J. B. Lamarck. Translated by H. Elliot. Pp. xcii + 410. (London: Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1914.) Price 15s. net.