Animals without Backbones

Abstract

WHEN one reads that an attempt is being made to present a zoology text-book in “simple, non-technical language”, one's first reaction is invariably that of suspicion. In the majority of cases the authors of elementary zoology text-books fall between two stools. In the desire to preserve an easy and popular approach a book often takes on a bias towards natural history, and although serving to describe the habits and characteristics of many animals, is generally lacking in morphological detail and in theoretical principles. On the other hand, in order to present the academic point of view, a book not infrequently becomes a mere compendium of technical terminology and minute detail in which fundamental issues arc obscured.

Animals without Backbones

An Introduction to the Invertebrates. By Ralph Buchsbaum. Pp. x+371+128 plates. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press; London: Cambridge University Press, 1938.) 25s. net.